Functional responses of aphid parasitoids,Aphidius colemani (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Aphelinus asychis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

We evaluated the functional responses of two aphid parasitoids: Aphidius colemani on the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and Aphelinus asychis on M. persicae and the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Parasitoid oviposition occurred at host densities of 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 80 or 100 aphids for A. colemani and 5, 10, 20, 30 or 50 aphids for A. asychis. More M. persicae were parasitized by A. colemani than by A. asychis at an aphid density of 50. Among the three types of functional response, type III best described the parasitoid response to the host densities both in A. colemani and A. asychis. The estimated handling time was shorter for A. colemani than for A. asychis (0.017 and 0.043 d, respectively). The proportion of aphids that were parasitized exhibited the same characteristic curve among the three host-parasitoid combinations: a wave form that appeared to be a composite of a decelerating (as in type II) response at low host density and an accelerating-and-decelerating (as in type III) response at medium to high host density. We hypothesize that the novel host species (and its host plant), density-dependent superparasitism, and/or density-dependent host-killing may have induced the modified type III response.     

花角蚜小蜂对松突圆蚧的寄生功能反应

在实验室条件下,以松突圆蚧(Hemiberlesia pitysophilaTakagi)雌成蚧为寄主,研究了花角蚜小蜂(Coccobius azumaiTachikawa)的寄生功能反应.结果表明:寄生功能反应均符合HollingⅡ型方程,且功能反应受到温度、寄主密度和寄生物密度的影响.在同一温度下,寄生数量随寄主密度的增大而增加;在15℃~25℃范围内,随着温度的升高,被寄生的松突圆蚧雌成蚧数量增加,而在25℃~35℃之间呈相反趋势.花角蚜小蜂的寄生功能反应有较强的种内干扰作用,随自身密度的增加,寄生数量逐渐减少.Hassell(1969)模型E=QP-m和Bedding-ton(1975)模型E=aT/[1 btw(P-1)]均能较好地反映花角蚜小蜂的寻找效应与其自身密度之间的关系,模拟结果分别为E=0.1659P-0.5597和E=0.1437T/[1 0.2691(P-1)].     

Oppositional responses to host density in Aphytis holoxanthus (Hymenoptera: Aphefinidae), an efficient gregarious parasite

Abstract. 1. Ovipositional responses of an efficient gregarious ectoparasite ( Aphytis holoxanthus ) to increasing densities of its host (the Florida red scale, Chrysomphalus aonidum , Homoptera: Diaspididae) were studied in a laboratory system.
2. The female parasite may lay one to several eggs at each encounter with a host.
3. As host density increased, the number of eggs laid by the female parasite during the experimental period increased at a decreasing rate. This type of functional response resulted in less parasitism at higher host densities.
4. As host density increased, the number of eggs laid per encounter decreased. This behavioural response partially compensated for the decrease in parasitism.     

Parasitism of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) by Pseudapanteles dignus (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) under laboratory conditions

Laboratory studies were conducted to measure selected life history traits and the functional response of the parasitoid Pseudapanteles dignus (Muesebeck), a major enemy of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in tomato crops in South America. Newly mated P. dignus females were individually exposed to 10 host larvae in mines for 24 h. We determined developmental time from egg to pupal formation and pupal stage duration, female adult life span, fecundity, reproductive period, daily parasitism rate, and sex ratio of offspring. For the functional response experiment, treatments consisted of six host densities: 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, or 30 larvae. The number and proportion of parasitized hosts were calculated for each density. The shape of the functional response curve was analyzed by logistic regression. P. dignus females attacked hosts daily, exhibiting modest lifetime fecundity (approximately 32 parasitized hosts per female) and a female-biased offspring sex ratio. Female adult life span was 36 d. P. dignus showed a type I functional response within the range of host densities tested. We observed that females detect and parasitize the host within a wide range of densities, including low densities. The functional response curve reached an asymptote at a mean density of six hosts per day and seemed not to be egg-limited. Percent parasitism was approximately 30%. The ecological implications of the results in relation to the potential of P. dignus for the biological control of T. absoluta in tomato are discussed.     

Functional response and mutual interference of Peristenus spretus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of Apolygus lucorum (Heteroptera: Miridae)

Peristenus spretus Chen & van Achterberg (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a solitary endoparasitoid, which is considered for augmentative biological control of Apolygus lucorum Meyer-Dür (Heteroptera: Miridae) in Chinese cotton fields. Since the association of P. spretus with A. lucorum was only recently discovered, the biology of the parasitoid remains unknown. In order to understand its reproductive biology, the mutual interference and functional response of P. spretus were investigated by altering either the parasitoid or the host density while keeping the other constant. In both experiments, the effects of parasitoid and host densities on parasitism, superparasitism, progeny production and sex ratio were assessed. P. spretus exhibited a Holling type II functional response to changing host densities, indicating that parasitism increases with increasing host density until the parasitoid reaches its maximum reproductive capacity. The model suggested that a single P. spretus female could parasitise a maximum of 88 nymphs per day or four nymphs per hour. Increasing the wasp-nymph ratio from 1:10 to 1:80 significantly increased the offspring production more than fivefold from ±5.8 to ±35.6; further increasing the host densities (above 80 nymphs) did not significantly increase offspring production. Strong mutual interference of foraging P. spretus females occurred only at high parasitoid densities. Parasitoids foraging alone produced an average progeny of 33.4, whereas parasitoids foraging in groups of 16 produced only 2.6. The optimal wasp-nymph ratio for mass-rearing P. spretus is 4:100, given that resources of parasitoids and nymphs are unlimited.     

白蜡吉丁肿腿蜂对栗山天牛低龄幼虫的寄生作用

栗山天牛Massicus raddei（Blessig）是我国东北危害栎树的重要害虫。在对其进行生物防治研究中,通过功能反应实验方法探讨了利用寄生蜂白蜡吉丁肿腿蜂Sclerodermus pupariae Yang et Yao对栗山天牛低龄幼虫的寄生作用。结果表明：白蜡吉丁肿腿蜂在取食寄主补充营养的过程中,对栗山天牛1～2龄小幼虫的致死作用随着寄主密度的增加而显著提高,功能反应符合Holling Ⅱ型方程,平均每日最大致死量为0.53头。寄生作用功能反应符合Holling Ⅰ型方程,寻找时间21 d内的寄主密度阈限为4头。当该肿腿蜂密度固定为1头时,对栗山天牛致死作用和寄生作用的寻找效率均随寄主密度的上升而降低。当寄主密度固定不变时,随着寄生蜂密度的增加寄主的死亡数量线性升高,被寄生的寄主数量也上升,但该肿腿蜂对栗山天牛低龄幼虫致死作用和寄生作用的寻找效应均显著下降,表明白蜡吉丁肿腿蜂是防治栗山天牛低龄幼虫的良好天敌。研究结果对于合理评价白蜡吉丁肿腿蜂在生产上的控害能力和制定寄生蜂的林间释放应用技术规程提供了依据。     

Interspecific competition between two endoparasitoids Cotesia vestalis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Oomyzus sokolowskii (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Two endoparasitoids, Cotesia vestalis and Oomyzus sokolowskii, parasitize the same host, larvae of Plutella xylostella. These two species have evolved different parasitization strategies. O. sokolowskii expresses a single factor, venom, and exerts virtually no detrimental effects on the development of its host. C. vestalis, on the other hand, injects polydnavirus (PDV) and venom during oviposition, and teratocytes are released into the host's hemolymph after egg hatching. Parasitization suppresses host immune reactions and redirects its developmental program. Because both these species parasitize the same stage of their hosts, there is the possibility of multiparasitism in nature. Only one species survives multiparasitism and because of its parasitic strategy, we hypothesized that C. vestalis would invariably be the stronger competitor. We designed competition experiments which revealed that C. vestalis is a stronger competitor than O. sokolowskii. We also show that C. vestalis survives intrinsic competition with O. sokolowskii through two mechanisms: physical attack and physiological suppression. We discovered melanized wounds on O. sokolowskii eggs and larvae, which is strong evidence of physical attacks. The physiological suppression is due to PDV and venom injected by C. vestalis. To test this idea more rigorously, we designed a pseudoparasitization experiment which revealed that no O. sokolowskii emerged from multiparasitized hosts when infertile C. vestlais eggs and normal O. sokolowskii larvae are both present inside the same host. These results support our hypothesis that C. vestalis is the stronger competitor and demonstrate two mechanisms that account for the outcome of intrinsic competition between these two endoparasitoids.     

不同温度下松毛虫赤眼蜂孤雌产雌品系和两性生殖品系对米蛾卵的寄生功能反应

赤眼蜂部分蜂种或品系受Wolbachia侵染营孤雌产雌生殖。 通过室内试验分析了在4个恒温（20, 25, 30和35℃）下松毛虫赤眼蜂Trichogramma dendrolimi两性生殖品系和孤雌产雌品系对米蛾Corcyra cephalonica卵的寄生功能反应, 旨在比较不同温度两品系的寄生功能反应差异, 评价孤雌产雌品系在生物防治中的应用潜力。 结果表明： 松毛虫赤眼蜂两个品系对米蛾卵寄生作用均随寄主密度的增加而增大;随温度的升高松毛虫赤眼蜂两品系的功能反应类型由Ⅲ型改变为Ⅱ型。孤雌产雌品系以30℃的处置时间最短(0.0207 d), 最大日寄生量为48.31粒卵, 其次是25℃, 35℃最小;两性生殖品系以25℃的处置时间最短(0.0188 d), 最大日寄生量为53.08粒卵, 其次是30℃, 20℃最小; 松毛虫赤眼蜂两品系的寄生功能反应存在显著差异, 30℃下孤雌产雌品系为Ⅱ型功能反应而两性生殖品系为Ⅲ型。 从处置时间来看, 20℃时两品系无显著性差异(P≥0.05), 在25℃和35℃孤雌产雌品系寄生米蛾卵时花费的时间显著长于两性生殖品系(P<0.05), 而30℃却相反。 可见, 寄主密度、 温度和Wolbachia影响松毛虫赤眼蜂功能反应。     

Egg limitation and the functional response of the parasitoid Campoletis grioti (Hym: Ichneumonidae)

The hypothesis that mature egg availability during a parasitoid's lifetime affects the functional response, as well as a parasitoid's handling time and searching efficiency, was tested. Campoletis grioti Blanchard (Hym: Ichneumonidae) female parasitoids and Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lep: Noctuidae) host larvae were used as an example. Each female of C. grioti was confined with different host densities (6, 10, 30, 50, 80, 120 and 160 larvae/day) of first and second S. frugiperda instars until the female died. We found that C. grioti showed a type II functional response, with a reduction in the number of parasitized hosts in relation to female ageing. Handling time and searching efficiency increased over time. When we standardized the data simulating unlimited egg supply, the functional response, handling time and searching efficiency became constant throughout the parasitoid's life. We discuss the relationship between egg availability and functional response and its associated parameters, and its consequence on biological control programs.     

Responses of a generalist and a specialist parasitoid (Hymenoptera: Eucoilidae) to Drosophilid larval kairomones

Foraging parasitoids are thought to need more specific information than generalists on the presence, identity, availability, and suitability of their insect host species. In the present paper, we compare responses to host kairomones by two phylogenetically related parasitoid species that attack Drosophilidae and that differ in the width of their host range. As predicted, the behavioral response of the parasitoids to host kairomones reflected their difference in host range. The response of the specialist parasitoid Leptopilina boulardiwas restricted to contact kairomones from its natural hosts and one closely related species. In contrast, the generalist parasitoid Leptopilina heterotomaresponded to contact kairomones of a variety of Drosophilidae species.     

Postemergence learning in the insect parasitoid,Cotesia congregata (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Exposing newly emerged females of Cotesia congregata(Say) to wild cherry, an inherently unattractive plant, and their host larvae at 0–4 h after adult emergence induced a positive searching response to wild cherry and an inhibited response to cabbage, an attractive plant. Inherent responses were not affected when females were exposed to their hosts at 0–12 h and to cherry at 8–12 h after emergence. The induced response to cherry was constant until its disappearance at 6–7 days;inhibition of the response to cabbage was released at 4–5 days after emergence. Postemergence exposure to cherry and parasitoid cocoons induced similar but weaker searching responses. Induced searching responses exhibit features of associative learning and receptor modification. In addition to its presumed role in foraging, postemergence experience with plants may encourage assortative mating of C. congregatawithin suitable host habitats and, thus, facilitate local adaptations to specific plants.     

3种赤眼蜂对甜菜夜蛾和小菜蛾卵的寄生功能反应

为评估稻螟赤眼蜂Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead、螟黄赤眼蜂Trichogramma chilonis Ishii和玉米螟赤眼蜂Trichogramma ostriniae Pang et Chen对甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua Hübner卵和小菜蛾Plutella xylostella Linnaeus卵的寄生潜能,本研究在室内条件下测试了3种赤眼蜂对不同密度甜菜夜蛾卵和小菜蛾卵的寄生率、寄生功能反应和搜寻效应。结果表明,稻螟赤眼蜂、螟黄赤眼蜂和玉米螟赤眼蜂对甜菜夜蛾卵和小菜蛾卵均有一定的寄生效应。螟黄赤眼蜂对甜菜夜蛾卵的寄生率、瞬间攻击率、寄生效能和搜寻效应均高于稻螟赤眼蜂和玉米螟赤眼蜂;3种赤眼蜂对小菜蛾卵的寄生率、瞬间攻击率、寄生效能和搜寻效应则表现为：稻螟赤眼蜂>螟黄赤眼蜂>玉米螟赤眼蜂。3种赤眼蜂对两种寄主的寄生功能反应均符合HollingⅡ型模型方程,表现为寄生量均随寄主卵密度的增加而升高,达到一定水平后趋于平稳。赤眼蜂的搜寻效应随寄主卵密度的增加而降低。综合分析可知,螟黄赤眼蜂对于甜菜夜蛾的控害能力优于稻螟赤眼蜂螟和玉米螟赤眼蜂,而稻螟赤眼蜂比螟黄赤眼蜂和玉米螟赤眼蜂更适合用于防控小菜蛾。     

Immature development of Eretmocerus mundus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

The development from egg to pupation is followed for the wasp Eretmocerus mundus, parasitizing the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. We elucidate and describe structural details, histological developments and changes that the different parasitoid and host tissues have undergone during parasitism. These include the presence and apparent function of very large salivary glands, which probably produce substances that help to regulate the host's decomposition and parasitoid nutrition. Moreover, the gut of all instars is devoid of both peritrophic membrane and microvilli and, in the early instars, it has squamous rather than columnar epithelial cells. Differing from many other parasitoids, the E. mundus larva usually does not come into contact with the host tissues and does not devour the entire host during its development.The possible reasons for the developmental mechanisms, as well as the functions of the host capsule that envelopes the parasitoid, are discussed.     

松褐天牛肿腿蜂对寄主松褐天牛三龄幼虫的功能反应

为评估松褐天牛肿腿蜂Sclerodermus sp.（膜翅目： 肿腿蜂科）对其寄主松褐天牛Monochamus alternatus 3 龄幼虫的控制作用, 通过功能反应试验, 研究了松褐天牛肿腿蜂对松褐天牛3 龄幼虫补充营养时期的捕食功能反应和补充营养后的寄生功能反应以及肿腿蜂的密度效应。结果表明： 当松褐天牛肿腿蜂密度固定为1 头/缸时, 肿腿蜂因补充营养对松褐天牛3 龄幼虫的捕食功能反应符合Holling Ⅱ型方程, 1 头松褐天牛肿腿蜂雌蜂对松褐天牛3 龄幼虫的最大致死量为9.48 头, 平均为3.75 头; 寄生作用的功能反应符合Holling Ⅰ型方程, 可知肿腿蜂的寄主密度阈限为4 头就能满足补充营养和寄生的需要; 在捕食和寄生两个阶段其对松褐天牛幼虫的寻找效应随着寄主密度的增加呈线性减弱。当松褐天牛幼虫密度固定为30 头/缸时, 随着肿腿蜂的密度增加, 其补充营养阶段的捕食作用和之后的寄生作用均呈线性升高, 寻找效应则呈线性减弱; 由蜂虫比和致死总量的模型可得肿腿蜂与天牛幼虫比例为0.9805（近1∶1）时, 可使松褐天牛幼虫死亡总数最大。这些结果表明, 松褐天牛肿腿蜂是松褐天牛幼虫期的有效天敌。本研究为评价松褐天牛肿腿蜂对寄主的控制能力提供了基础数据和方法, 并为其在野外的释放量提供了依据。     

Development of a gregarious ectoparasitoid, Euplectrus separatae (Hymenoptera; Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), that parasitizes Pseudaletia separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Euplectrus separatae is a gregarious ectoparasitoid that parasitizes Pseudaletia separata during its third to sixth (last) instars. The eggs of the parasitoid are fixed on the integument of the host dorsolaterally with a hard substance like a piling driven into the integument by the female wasp at the time of oviposition. The first instar of the parasitoid, which hatches three days after oviposition is nourished by ingesting the hemolymph of the host, and ecdyses to the second stadium six days after oviposition. Many hemocytes and epidermal cells were found assembled under the piling and places where a parasitoid had attached its mouth, suggesting that the host had repaired the integument destroyed by the parasitoid. Botryoidal tissue, which stained well with hematoxylin, began to develop from four days after oviposition and became gradually larger with development. Botryoidal tissue appears to function as a secretory organ for thread and a storage organ for nutrients. Seven days after oviposition, the parasitoid larvae migrate down from the dorsal surface to the ventral side of the host. Just before descending they ecdyse to the third stadium and kill the host during their migration. If all parasitoid larvae were removed artificially from the host before they migrate, the host did not die. However, removing the parasitoids after they had started to migrate did not prevent the death of the host. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) observation of salivary glands of a parasitoid larva before migrating revealed that the salivary gland was composed of cells that were rich in rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (rough-ER) with many ribosomes and cells that were filled with a lot of vacuoles just before their collapse. After moving from the host body, the parasitoid larvae doubled in weight by ingesting the tissue of the host and then spun a cocoon. Almost all host tissues were consumed for growth of the parasitoid, like an idiobiont parasitoid.     

Experience acquisition by Trichogramma australicum Girault (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

We investigated experience acquisition (alpha-conditioning) by females of the parasitoid Trichogramma australicum using host eggs of the noctuid moth Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner). We compared the acceptance of a host egg by females with different levels of ovipositional experience. The level of experience was designated using the standard oviposition sequence: (1) host contact (C); (2) host examination (E); (3) drilling (D); (4) full insertion (FI); and (5) oviposition (O). Each treatment consisted of a single experience level, but together these consituted a qualitative behavioural continuum of oviposition experience from naive (N) to experienced wasps. We found that host experience by adult T. australicum females can modify their behaviour. Mean duration of host finding was: N = C > E = D > FI = O. Mean duration of host examination and full insertion were: N = C > E = D = FI = O. Drilling was constant for all experience levels. Experience in drilling of the chorion during the previous host-exposure process represents a critical experience for a female and results in efficient handling and more ready acceptance of a subsequently encountered host egg.     

Foraging Behavior and Patch Time Allocation by Fopius arisanus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), an Egg-Larval Parasitoid of Tephritid Fruit Flies

This study quantitatively describes the host-searching behavior of Fopius arisanus (Sonan) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), an important egg-larval parasitoid of tephritid fruit fly pests, on coffee berries infested with host eggs of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae). We also investigate the parasitoid's response to local variation in host patch quality. The temporal pattern of behavioral organisation was examined by constructing an ethogram. The parasitoid spent over 90% of its foraging time in detecting and locating hosts after arriving on a host-infested fruit, and displayed a relatively fixed behavioral pattern leading to oviposition. Patch residence time increased in the presence of host-associated cues, following successful ovipositions, and with increasing size of host clutches per fruit, but decreased with each successive visit to the same host patch and with increasing availability of alternative host patches. The parasitoid females discriminated against previously parasitized hosts and spent significantly less time and searching effort on patches previously exploited by herself or by conspecific females. The effective host-searching behavior, perfect host discrimination ability, and success-motivated searching strategy shown by F. arisanus ensured a thorough exploitation of host resources by this parasitoid.     

Influence of adult diet on fitness and reproductive traits of the egg parasitoid Anagrus virlai (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), a potential biocontrol agent against the corn leafhopper

Dalbulus maidis is the most important leafhopper pest of maize in the Americas. Anagrus virlai is an egg parasitoid commonly associated with the corn leafhopper. We evaluated whether the performance of A. virlai is dependent on different diets provided during 24 hr or throughout adult female lifetime. Additionally, functional response of A. virlai on D. maidis eggs using maize leaves containing honeydew plus honey was described. A. virlai is a mostly pro-ovigenic autogenic species whose females are able to parasitize eggs immediately after emergence. We found that wasps oviposit the majority of their eggs in the first day of their adult life. Realized lifetime fecundity and lifetime potential fecundity did not differ significantly among treatments, but longevity and egg production increased when honey was added to diet. Data were consistent with an intermediate functional response between type II and III, but closer to type II, indicating a high parasitism rate at low host densities and a decrease in the oviposition rate at high host densities, due to a possible egg limitation. Our results suggest that carbohydrate food sources (honeydew and honey) might not be the factor limiting reproductive success during the first 24 hr. Food supply, however, might influence egg maturation and survivorship of wasps, thus potentially enhancing biological pest control when hosts are scarce in the course of the first few days of adulthood.     

温度和寄主密度对雅脊金小蜂寄生和刺死米象幼虫的影响（英文）

本文通过研究雅脊金小蜂Theocolax elegans在6个不同温度梯度下对米象Sitophilus oryzae幼虫的寄生和取食能力,评价了雅脊金小蜂对米象的控制效果。雅脊金小蜂寄生米象的功能反应结果表明,在17℃～29℃的温度范围内,寄生蜂的寄主处理时间与温度成反比,从0.333天（17℃）到0.063天（29℃）。寄主搜索率也随温度变化而变化,17℃时最低（0.083头/天）,26℃时最高（1.521头/天）;当温度升高到29℃,寄主搜索率略有下降;但当温度升高到32℃,寄主搜索率明显下降。温度调节的功能反应模型表明,在26℃～29℃的温度范围内,寄生率较高。所以,在26℃～29℃时,雅脊金小蜂对米象有较好的控制效果。     

Potential of parasitoid Gronotoma micromorpha Perkin (Hymenoptera: Eucoilidae) as a biocontrol agent for pea leafminer fly,Liriomyza huidobrensis Blanchard (Diptera: Agromyzidae)

The potential of the parasitoid, Gronotoma micromorpha (Perkin) as a biological control agent for pea leafminer fly, Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) has been evaluated in a series of studies on the fly preference to host instars, biological characteristic and functional response to the host density. The studies were carried out at the Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management (IPMLab), Faculty of Agriculture Udayana University in Denpasar and Greenhouse Owned-Farmer in Pancasari Buleleng, Bali (1200 m asl; average temperature 23.67 ± 5.69 °C and average RH of 64 ± 17.69%). The results showed that G. micromorpha has a strong preference towards the 3rd instar larvae of L. huidobrensis. The pre-oviposition period was 0.4 ± 0.67^d, oviposition was 12.5 ± 2.0^d and post-oviposition period was 1 ± 0.0^d while the peak oviposition occurred on the 4th day. Meanwhile, all the offsprings produced were females which indicated that parthenogenesis thelytokous was present in G. Micromorpha and the fecundity was 29 ± 3.77 per female adult. Furthermore, the average life span for the adult was 13 ± 1.42 days with an oviposition period of 12.5 ± 2.01 days. The average post-oviposition period was 1 ± 0.0 days and average development period of egg to adult was 32.03 ± 0.98 days. Meanwhile, the breeding potential was high with an average daily percentage of 2.27 ± 0.27 fecundity and a maximum spawning occurred on day 4. The functional response was type-2 and it is the rate at which parasitism increase with increase in population of the host density. Hence, the biological characteristics and mode of functional response by the parasitoid showed its potential as a biological pesticide for pea leafminer L. huidobrensis.