Fopius arisanus (Sonan) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is an egg-pupal parasitoid that is a biological control agent for several tephritid fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) including the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, the Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa, and the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis. A complete description of the immature stages of this parasitoid would be useful in physiological studies of host-parasite interactions. The morphology of the first and last larval instars has been published by others but there are no descriptions of the middle stages of this parasitoid. In this study, we describe all immature stages, particularly the previously undescribed instars. Twenty four hour old B. dorsalis eggs were exposed to mated F. arisanus females for 24 hours. Serial collections of the parasitized hosts were made every 24 hours until either wasp or fruit fly emergence. Immature wasps were dissected from hosts and their mouthhooks, cephalopharyngeal skeletons, and body widths/lengths were measured. The egg is 300 ± 7 µm long and 55 ± 2 µm wide and lasts for 2 days. The first, second, and third instars last 7, 2, and 6 days, respectively and the pupal stage lasts 8 days. A possible fourth instar may be present but is not distinguishable from the third instar by either body dimension or mouthhook morphology. Thus, we will be able to readily identify with accuracy all stages of F. arisanus relative to the development of any of its fruit fly hosts.
Supported by National Science Foundation grants IBN 9986076 and 9514583
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