Biology Oftachinaephagus Zealandicus(hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), Parasitoid of Synanthropic Diptera

The synonymy, distribution, host range, and life history of the gregarious larval–pupal parasitoidTachinaephagus zealandicusAshmead, is discussed. Laboratory studies of its biology were conducted at 25° ± 2 °C usingMusca domesticaL. as host. Its developmental stages are described. Under laboratory conditions its life cycle lasted 23–27 days. Parasitoid development accelerated with higher average densities per host. Single standardized hosts produced 3–18 adult parasitoids. Mated females provided with hosts lived 50.4–67.2 h. The average length of the reproductive period and number of hosts parasitized were independent of host density; however, the average number of eggs deposited per host increased at lower host densities. Adult emergence displayed circadian rhythmicity independent of photoperiod over 3+ days.