Differences in water relations among the citrus leafminer and two different populations of its parasitoid inhabiting the same apparent microhabitat

The water balance relationships of adult females and pupae of two populations (Australian and Taiwan) of the parasitic wasp Ageniaspis citricola, a biological control agent of the citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella, were compared to determine whether habitat preferences might differ between them. No differences were detected between Australian and Taiwan strains of the wasp during the pupal stage, but adult females from the Australian strain had lower net water loss rates than the parasitoid adults from Taiwan. This implies a greater moisture requirement by adults of the Taiwan strain, which should be considered before they are released into a new environment in classical biological control programs.