Biology of Pediobius foveolatus ( Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a parasite of predatory ladybeetles in India

Abstract

Pediobius foveolatus (CRAWFORD 1912) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) has been reared from two economically important Coccinellidae species, Menochilus sexmaculata (FABRICUS 1781) and Cocconella septempunctata LINNAEUS 1758, in North India. P. foveolatus was earlier described from the epilachna beetle Henosepilachna sparsa (HERBST 1786). Reared parasites were exposed to different stages of host larvae. It was found to be gregarious endoparasite of third and four instar larvae of both of the predatory species. The percentage of field parasitism reached over 55% from June 1964 to October 1965. The egg stage lasted 24 to 30 h; the larval stage 8 to 10d; the pupal stage 4 to 8 d; and the prepupal stage 2d. Species of the Pediobius complex should not be used for biological control, as they are primary, secondary and tertiary in their parasitic habit.