Biology of Megaselia sp (Phoridae : Diptera) and its use as bio-control agent against Tasar uzifly, Blepharipa zebina Walker (Tachinidae : Diptera)

The phorid fly, Megaselia sp. has been observed hyperparasitising the maggo ts and pupae of Blepharipa zebina, an endoparasite of Antheraea proylei. Th e adult phorid flies mated within 10-15 minutes of their emergence. The mat ing continued for 2-15 minutes. The fecundity ranged from 60-85 per female, the average being 69.45+/-8.42 eggs. After hatching, the maggots feed on t he contents of uzifly pupae for 6.10+/-0.78 days. The pupal stage lasted fo r 9.49+/-0.83 days. The male and female flies survived for 3.71+/-0.70 days and 4.54+/-0.85 respectivly. They were observed having efficient searching ability towards uzifiy maggots and pupae. It is therefore suggested that i t can be used as a bio-control agent for B. zebina because it is easily cul turable with least efforts.