Environmental Entomology (1989) 18, 403-407

James T. Cronin (1989)
Inverse density-dependent parasitism of the bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Lepidoptera: Psychidae)
Environmental Entomology 18 (3), 403-407
Abstract: This paper reports the results of a controlled manipulative experiment with the bagworm; Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Haworth), on eastern redcedar, Juniperus virginiana L., to determine whether parasitism is density-dependent. Parasitoid foraging behavior indicated that two spatial scales were appropriate: individual trees and small patches of trees. Percentage of parasitism by Itoplectis conquisitor (Say) declined significantly as the density of female bagwooms on individual trees increased. Although mathematically possible, this inverse density-dependent response appears too 'vague' to promote the stability of. the bagworm-I. conquisitor system. Other factors that may be involved in the regulation or control of the bagworm are discussed.
(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:
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis	Juniper (Juniperus)	U.S.A. (NE)
Itoplectis conquisitor (parasitoid)	Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis	Juniper (Juniperus)	U.S.A. (NE)