Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitizing pupae of the passion fruit pest Agraulis vanillae vanillae (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Agraulis vanillae vanillae L. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is a pest of Passiflora species (Malpighiales: Passifloraceae). The parasitism of A. vanillae vanillae pupae by Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare & LaSalle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) was evaluated. Ten 72-h-old mated P. elaeisis females were confined for 48 h with each 24-h-old A. vanillae vanillae pupa. These exposed pupae were transferred to glass tubes untillae pupa. These exposed pupae were transferred to glass tubes until the emergence of the parasitoid adults. The percentages of parasitism and emergence, number that emerged, sex ratio, body size, width of the head capsule, and longevity of P. elaeisis females and males were similar to those of P. elaeisis reared with various other hosts. These results this indicated that it is practical to rear this parasitoid with A. vanillae vanillae pupae to provide the parasitoid for use in biological control programs the emergence of the parasitoid adults. The percentages of parasitism and emergence, number that emerged, sex ratio, body size, width of the head capsule, and longevity of P. elaeisis females and males were similar to those of P. elaeisis reared with various other hosts. These results this indicated that it is practical to rear this parasitoid with A. vanillae vanillae pupae to provide the parasitoid for use in biological control programs.

Agraulis vanillae vanillae L. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) é praga de Passiflora (Malpighiales: Passifloraceae), tornando importante a busca de inimigos naturais deste inseto. Dez fêmeas de Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare & LaSalle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), com 72 horas da emergência foram colocadas por pupa de A. vanillae vanillae com 24 horas de idade. Essas pupas foram transferidas para tubos de vidro até a emergência da progênie do parasitoide, cujas caraterísticas reprodutivas foram avaliadas. As taxas de parasitismo e de emergência, a razão sexual, o número de indivíduos de P. elaeisis por pupa de A. vanillae vanillae, o tamanho do corpo, a largura da cápsula cefálica de fêmeas e machos e a longevidade de fêmeas de P. elaeisis foram semelhantes aquelas desse criado com outros hospedeiros. Estes resultados indicam ser possível a criação desse parasitoide com pupas de A. vanillae vanillae para seu uso em programas de controle biológico.