Functional response of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) over Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann): Influence of temperature, fruit location and host density

The information reported here about the key demographic parameters and the functional response of D. longicaudata using C. capitata as its host under various environments and situations will assist in the evaluation of its potential as a biological control agent against this pest. Our results show that this parasitoid can search efficiently for host individuals even at low host densities, irrespectively of their spatial location (infested fruits in the canopy or as ripened fruits fallen to the ground) or independently of the temperature of the environment.