Manipulation of parasitoid state influences host exploitation by Diadromus pulchellus Wesmael (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

► We examine the effects of parasitoid state on the degree of host exploitation. ► Mating status, arena size and presence of host-damaged leek leaves had no effect. ► Per-capita host exploitation was higher for solitary parasitoids with host experience. ► Sugar-fed parasitoids exploited more hosts than sugar-starved parasitoids. ► Three-day-old parasitoids exploited more hosts than 10-day-old parasitoids.