Observations on the biology and host-searching behaviour ofAfromelanichneumon sporadicus andCryptus nigropictus [Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae], pupal parasites ofAscotis selenaria reciprocaria [Lepidoptera: Geometridae]

Two ichneumonid pupal parasites,Afromelanichneumon sporadicus Heinrich andCryptus nigropictus Cam., were responsible for an average of 13.8% mortality in field-collected pupae ofAscotis selenaria reciprocaria Walk., a pest of Arabica in Kenya. Laboratory studies showed that the parasites were not host-specific and only attacked prepupae in the soil. Data on their host-finding behaviour and longevity under starvation or when fed on honey or on honey-water, are presented and discussed.