Host's diet effects on nitrogen utilization efficiency for two parasitoid species: Brachymeria intermedia and Coccygomimus turionellae

Differences in the weight of parasitoid individuals of Brachymeria intermedia (Nees) (Chalcidae) and Coccygomimus turionellae (L.) (Ichneumonidae) were found to be associated with differences in host diet. The availability of the host nitrogen to the parasitoids differed depending on the sex of the host, Lymantria dispar , and its diet. Nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) for both parasitoid species were inversely correlated with host weight and with host nitrogen. Values for NUE are lower than those reported for phytophagous insects such as Lepidoptera.