Copidosoma truncatellum : 1 Effect of Parasitization on Food Consumption of Larval Trichoplusia ni23

Larvae of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner), parasitized by Copidosoma truncatellum (Dalman) consumed 35% more food and had a 30% higher maximum weight than unparasitized larvae. Food consumption and larval weight gain were exponential in both parasitized and unparasitized larvae, and parasitized larvae were more efficient in the conversion of ingested food into body weight. The greater consumption by parasitized larvae may affect plans for integrated biological control involving C. truncatellum .