Journal of Economic Entomology (2002) 95, 908-911

K.D. Floate and R.W. Spooner (2002)
Parasitization by pteromalid wasps (Hymenoptera) of freeze-killed house fly (Diptera: Muscidae) puparia at varying depths in media
Journal of Economic Entomology 95 (5), 908-911
Abstract: Three laboratory experiments were performed to assess parasitization of freeze-killed house fly puparia, buried 0 to 6 cm in media, by Muscidifurax raptor Girault and Saunders, Muscidifurax raptorellus Kogan and Legner, Muscidifurax zaraptor Kogan and Legner, Trichomalopsis sarcophagae (Gahan) and Urolepis rufipes (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). Virtually no parasitization occurred at depths greater than 1 cm in large arenas (988 cm²) with densities of 0.3 puparia and 0.008 female parasitoids per cm². Parasitization was observed at depths as great as 4 cm for three of five species in small arenas (3 cm²) with densities of 6.4 puparia and 1.0 female per cm². Combined across experiments, M. raptor achieved the highest level of parasitization, followed by M. zaraptor, M. raptorellus, U. rufipes, and T. sarcophagae. The greatest number of F₁ females was produced by the gregarious species T. sarcophagae (834 females) and M. raptorellus (708 females), and then by the solitary species M. raptor (530 females), M. zaraptor (365 females) and U. rufipes (163 females). High parasitization by M. raptor and high production of offspring by T. sarcophagae identify these species as being particularly attractive as biological control agents.
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Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection
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
Muscidifurax zaraptor (parasitoid)	Musca domestica
Muscidifurax raptorellus (parasitoid)	Musca domestica
Urolepis rufipes (parasitoid)	Musca domestica
Trichomalopsis sarcophagae (parasitoid)	Musca domestica