THESIS: J. C. Ribeiro submitted this dissetation for the degree of Master in Sciences publicly examined at the Institute of Biosciences of Rio Claro - UNESP, São Paulo State University, Brazil in 1993.
Advisor: Professor Nivar Gobbi
ABSTRACT. Some aspects of the relationship between the great wax moth Galleria mellonella and a solitary endoparasitoid Apanteles galleriae were studied. Oviposition behavior of A. galleriae females was observed to determine the instar or group of instars preferred for oviposition. Moth larvae were tested in two different ways: in conjunction, all the instars presented at the same time, and separately, each one of the instars offered alone. The results of both tests revealed that the 4th and 5th instars are preferred for oviposition. The 5th instar is certainly the most appropriate to A. galleriae parasitism, as it vielded a saye number of ovipositions, shorter period of parasitoid development and the highest total coefficient of preference in contrast with other instars. Parasitism rate of A. galleriae in larvae of G. mellonella was determined through monthly collections in the apiary of the Institute of Biosciences of Rio Claro - São Paulo. Once a month, for eighteen consecutive months, 5 nests (10 frame beehives) of Apis mellifera of a group of 20 were examined to search for moth larvae. After being separated by instar, the larvae were kept in laboratory and fed with artificial diet to determine parasitism. Eighteen collections were carried out, but larvae were found only in ten of them. Parasitism rates were significant reaching 50% of parasitized larvae in a month. All the parasitized larvae were in the 4th and 5th instars.
CORRESPONDENCE TO:
J. C. RIBEIRO - Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biociências - UNESP - Caixa Postal 199, CEP 13506-900 - Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brasil.
Publication Dates
-
Publication in this collection
11 Oct 2001 -
Date of issue
1996
