Biological traits of Ascogaster quadridentata an endoparasitoid of the codling moth

Abstract

The developmental time, adult longevity, survival, and fecundity of Ascogaster quadridentata reared on Cydia pomonella were studied at 25 ± 2 ºC and natural lighting. Longevity was measured in different conditions: water; water and honey; and water, honey and host. Developmental time from egg to adult was 43.67 ± 0.75 days. Honey had a significant effect on the longevity of female adults. The longevity of females with water was 3 days, whereas females fed with honey had longevity values greater than 6 days. The survival curves of adults fed with honey and adults starved were different. All males with water died before 5 days; while in honey-fed males, the last adult died on days 16 and 22, with and without a host, respectively. The female began ovipositing eggs during the first days following emergence. A female produced on average, 22.3 ± 4.7 eggs/day, and more than 10% of host eggs were superparasitized. The parasitism rate was on average 17.53 ± 2.88 hosts/day, whereas the total mean parasitism was 202.75 ± 59.24 hosts/female. This study addressed new basic biological information about A. quadridentata and contribute to a better understanding of its potential as a biological control agent of codling moth.