Biological Studies of Three Parasites of Nabis americoferus (Hemiptera: Nabidae) in Southern California

Author: HENDRICK R. D.   STERN V. M.  

Publisher: Entomological Society of America

ISSN: 1938-2901

Source: Annals of the Entomological Society of America, Vol.63, Iss.2, 1970-03, pp. : 382-391

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Abstract

Three solitary parasites of Nabis americoferus Carayon were found in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Leucostoma simplex (Fallén) (Diptera: Tachinidae) is quite abundant and attacks 4th and 5th-stadial nymphs and adult Nabis. Adult parasite mating and attack behavior were observed, and the reproductive morphology was studied. Larval development through 3 instars required 17–31 days at 80°F. The larva in its 3 stages is described. Intraspecific competition was observed in superparasitized nymphs. A rare parasite, Wesmaclia pendula Foerster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), also was found to attack nabid nymphs and adults. An egg parasite,Polynema sp. (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), not previously associated with Nabis in North America, was recovered. Development of the larva and the pupa rerequired 20–23 days at 70°F. The Polynema injected its egg through the plant tissue into the host egg and not through the exposed egg cap.

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