Ocytata pallipes (Fallen) (Dipt., Tachinidae), a potential agent for the biological control of the European earwig.
1994
Kuhlmann U.
This paper presents data on the life history and an analysis of field parasitism, in central Europe, of Ocytata pallipes (Fallen), a tachinid that parasitizes in the European earwig, Forficula auricularia. O. pallipes is a species with microtype eggs that are deposited on earwig food plants with feeding marks of the host. In order to develop, the eggs have to be eaten by the host. The larvae hatch in the intestinal tract from where they penetrate the haemocoel. A high reproductive potential with an average of 1040 eggs has been observed. In all areas of Europe, the parasitoid is partially bivoltine. In northern Germany, the adults of the first generation emerge between the end of June to mid July; the second generation emerges from September to the end of October. The winter is passed as second instar larvae in the living host. Reared earwigs collected in a number of regions show parasitization of less than 1%. This species is more common in maritime areas.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Wolters Kluwer