Performance of Microplitis tuberculifer (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) parasitizing Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in different larval instars

•The first four of five larval instars of M. separata were parasitized by M. tuberculifer.•Second instar hosts were preferred in choice tests and yielded the highest relative suitability index.•Regardless of host instar at parasitism, host mass was significantly diminished within 24 h of parasitism and ended <10% that of controls.•Total plant biomass consumption by host larvae ranged from <10% of controls (first instar parasitized) to ca. 30% (fourth instar parasitized).

The solitary parasitoid Microplitis tuberculifer (Wesmael) is an important biological control agent of various lepidopteran pests in Asia. We examined the preference of M. tuberculifer for different instars of its common host, Mythimna separata (Walker), host instar effects on parasitoid development, and the consequences of parasitism in different stages for growth and consumption of host larvae. The wasp successfully parasitized the first four larval instars of M. separata, but not the fifth, which appeared to be behaviorally resistant. First and second instars were parasitized at higher rates compared to thirds and fourths in no-choice situations, ostensibly due to longer handling times for the latter, but second instars were most preferred in a choice test that presented all stages simultaneously. Although later instar hosts yielded heavier cocoons, the fastest parasitoid development was obtained in second instars. Lower sex ratios were obtained from first instars as females appeared to lay a smaller proportion of fertilized eggs in small hosts. Both weight gain and food consumption of parasitized larvae were reduced significantly within 24 h of parasitism, regardless of the stage parasitized, and final body weights were less than 10% those of unparasitized larvae. Thus, M. tuberculifer has good potential as a biological control agent of M. separata, successfully parasitizing the first four larval instars and dramatically reducing plant consumption by the host in all cases.

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