First record of the parasitoid Pteromalus puparum L. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) associated with pupae of Pterourus multicaudatus (Kirby) (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) in Mexico

Abstract

Pteromalus puparum L. is recorded for the first time parasitizing pupae of Pterourus multicaudatus (Kirby) in Mexico. Preliminary behavioral and biological aspects of P. puparum were recorded from sentinel pupae of P. multicaudatus. Parasitoid wasps arrived at the pupae beginning on the second day of exposure and interacted with pupae for a period of one to five hours for seven days. A parasitism rate of 39\% by P. puparum was recorded on P. multicaudatus pupae. Wasps began to emerge 46.15 days after pupae were exposed to parasitism, with an average of 144 wasps emerging per pupa. The sex ratio of parasitoids was skewed toward females, with a female: male ratio of 4:1.