Life History and Behaviour of Scelio calopteni Riley (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), a Parasite of Grasshopper Eggs

The life history and behaviour of Scelio calopteni Riley, an internal parasite of grasshopper eggs, is described. This insect was reared for the first time in the laboratory through one complete cycle. Newly emerged adults readily oviposited in eggs of Melanoplus sanguinipes F. By dechorionating the grasshopper eggs the developing stages of the parasite could be clearly observed. Although three larval stages have been reported by other authors for different species of Scelio, careful observations suggested only two in S. calopteni.