How preimaginal temperature exposure and adult nutrition from plant tissue damaged by the host caterpillar influence performance of a larval parasitoid of the codling moth

Using the larval parasitoid Hyssopus pallidus, a candidate biocontrol agent of the codling moth, we tested several hypotheses on factors that might influence parasitoid performance, with the following RESULTS: Firstly, cool temperatures experienced in the preimaginal phase are not necessarily detrimental; adult parasitoids released into a warm environment even benefit with larger offspring from a short-term storage at their pupal stage. Secondly, for the first time in a study on the relationship of a parasitoid and a concealed host, it has been conclusively demonstrated that this parasitoid utilizes fruit components as a nutrient source to increase longevity and fertility.