Effect of host diet on the development of larval parasitoid Apanteles opuntiarum Martínez & Bertha (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Development, progeny production, and female emergence of larval parasitoid Apanteles opuntiarum Martínez & Bertha (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were assessed in Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae fed on Opuntia pads versus artificial diet.  The artificial diet was mainly composed of ground white kidney beans, sugar, and yeast covered with wax to prevent early desiccation.  Experiments were conducted at 23-24°C and 50-60% RH at the FDACS-DPI quarantine laboratory, Gainesville FL.  Apanteles parasitoids reared on larvae fed with Opuntia pads had shorter immature period than the ones fed on artificial diet.  Pupal stage did not show any statistical difference in development time.  Mortality of adult parasitoids was similar on both host diets. However, total development period was longer for parasitoids reared on larvae fed on Opuntia diet than those maintained on the other diet.  The number of pupae per infested larvae was significantly higher for parasitoids reared on larvae fed on artificial diet.   Results suggested that the use of artificial diet to rear larval hosts would improve mass rearing efficiency of A. opuntiarum.