Longevity of Orgilus obscurator Ness. (Hymenoptera : Braconidae) under theinfluence of different food sources

One of the tactics that improved the control of Rhyacionia buoliana in Chil e was the introduction in 1987 of Orgilus obscurator. a specific parasitoid . Evaluations between the regions VII and X of Chile during 1995 to 1997 ha ve shown significant differences in the establishment and parasitism obtain ed by O. obscurator. Several factors are involved in the success of control strategies, including the availability and access to food sources such as water, flower nectar and honey. and its effect over longevity of adult para sitoids. The objective of this study, conducted during 1996-1997 and 1997-1 998 in Valdivia Province, X region, was to consider these factors. For the experiment, 295 males and females of 0. obscurator were maintained with wat er, honey and flowers of four species (three belonging to Apiaceae and one to Asteraceae). The highest longevity was obtained using honey (23 days for males, 33 days for females) and flowers of Conium maculatum L. and Daucus carota L, with an average of 14.1 days, These results suggest that increasi ng the presence of food sources in plantations of Pinus radiata, mainly in the VII and VIII regions, will enhance levels of parasitism by O. obscurato r.