Effect of sugar feeding and mating on the fecundity of Pseudacteon obtusus - natural enemy of imported fire ants

Pseudacteon obtusus is an introduced parasitoid of imported fire ants, Solenopsis spp. Building on the results of a previous study from our laboratory which showed that sugar feeding significantly increased the lifespan of this parasitoid, the present study was conducted to investigate the effects of sugar feeding and mating on the fecundity of P. obtusus. Four treatments were compared: (1) mated and sugar fed females, (2) unmated and sugar fed females, (3) mated and sugar starved females, and (4) unmated and sugar starved females. Sugar was provided in the form of 50% sucrose solution. Eggs in the serially sectioned and stained ovaries of these parasitoids were counted under a photomicroscope.