Environmental Entomology (1983) 12, 1232-1238

Gary D. Propp and Philip B. Morgan (1983)
Multiparasitism of house fly, Musca domestica L., pupae by Spalangia endius Walker and Muscidifurax raptor Girault and Sanders (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)
Environmental Entomology 12 (4), 1232-1238
Abstract: Spalangia endius and Muscidifurax raptor multiparasitized house fly pupae. However, S. endius tended to avoid ovipositing in pupae parasitized by M. raptor, whereas M. raptor did not avoid pupae parasitized by S. endius. Behavioral observations indicated that both species could, in some cases, discriminate and subsequently refrain from ovipositing on an already parasitized pupa, but only after drilling into the puparium. Multiparasitism decreased as the time after initial parasitization increased. These findings indicate that the parasitoids use cues, possibly venom, inside the puparium for host discrimination. Multiparasitism should be accounted for in laboratory studies on the reproductive potential of these parasitoids. Furthermore, our results indicate that where these two species are mass released simultaneously, multiparasitism may commonly occur.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Musca domestica
Muscidifurax raptor (parasitoid)	Musca domestica
Spalangia endius (parasitoid)	Musca domestica