Oviposition deterrency and deterrent stability of some oily substances against the pear psylla<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cacopsylla pyri</Emphasis>

Oviposition deterrents have the potential to prevent insect infestations in agroecosystems. In the present study, the level and duration of this behavioral effect was evaluated against pear psylla,Cacopsylla pyri (L.) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), a serious pest of pears in Turkey. The activity of four oily substances — cotton seed oil, fish-liver oil, neem oil and summer oil — was tested against winterform and summerform females of the pest in laboratory and field experiments, in order to determine their oviposition deterrency and stability as deterrents. In the laboratory assays, the initial (3 days after treatments) deterrency of all test materials was 100%. While decreases in initial deterrency started after 1 week for neem oil and after 2 weeks for cotton seed oil, fish-liver oil and summer oil exhibited 100% deterrent activity against winterforms, but not summerforms during the 3-week test period. The last two also exhibited strong oviposition deterrent activity for both forms ofC. pyri females in field trials. A significant reduction in the total number of eggs laid was observed in the field plots. Data showed that summer oil and fish-liver oil are the most promising oviposition deterrents against pear psylla females. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Sept. 28, 2004.     

Effect of kaolin particle film treatment on winterform oviposition of the pear psylla<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cacopsylla pyri</Emphasis>

Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of kaolin particle film on winterform oviposition of the pear psyllacacopsyllapyri (L.) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). Kaolin particle film (kpf) treatment significantly reduced winterform oviposition rates in both choice and no-choice tests in the laboratory. In choice tests, overwintered females laid 11 times more eggs on water-treated dormant shoots than on shoots treated with particle film, within 21 days after treatment. In no-choice tests, kpf treatment also significantly reduced egg numbers compared with water-treated controls. The results of field trials carried out in southwestern Turkey (Antalya) during the late winter — early spring of 2004 and 2005 showed very good efficacy of kpf treatment in comparison with water-treated control. Kpf treatment (just before egg laying, during the dormant-postdormant period) delayed egg-laying activity in overwintered females for up to 3 weeks from the beginning of the experiment and continued to suppress oviposition significantly in comparison with watertreated control up to 4 weeks. Our overall results suggest that kpf treatment may be useful in pear psylla management programs by decreasing winterform oviposition, particularly in conjunction with other control tactics.     

Laboratory evaluation of a botanical natural product (<Emphasis Type="Italic">AkseBio2</Emphasis>) against the pear psylla<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cacopsylla pyri</Emphasis>

A botanical natural product,AkseBio2, was evaluated under laboratory conditions for its oviposition deterrent, ovicidal and larvicidal (nymphicidal) effects against the pear psyllaCacopsylla pyri (L.) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). The product exhibited a strong oviposition deterrent effect for winterform and summerform females and caused a reduction in the total number of eggs laid in both choice and no-choice assays. Significant mortalities in freshly laid eggs (0–48 h) and various nymphal stages of the pest were recorded in toxicity assays. At a concentration of 0.1% (formulation), the highest biological activity of the product was recorded against the young (1st and 2nd) nymphal stages (up to 87.4% mortality) in comparison with the other biological stages of the pest. It was less active against the older (3rd-5th) nymphs, causing 62.1% mortality at the same concentration. In assays with non-target organisms, a significant negative effect was not observed. There were no significant changes on treated plants up to 7 days after treatment in any trial, nor was there any phytotoxicity on plant tissue as a result ofAkseBio2 treatments. The results suggest that the product can be used in psylla control instead of synthetic insecticides and may serve as an integrated pest management (IPM) component in pear orchards. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 14, 2004.     

Experience-altered oviposition responses to a neem-based product, Neemix, by the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella

The oviposition responses of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L., to Neemix 4.5, a neem-based oviposition repellent/deterrent, with or without previous experience were studied in the laboratory on plain aluminum foil sheets, on aluminum foil sheets coated with cabbage juice, and on cabbage plants. In the plain aluminum foil sheet experiment, the females without prior experience of Neemix (inexperienced females) deposited more eggs (66.2%) on sections with untreated sheets than on sections with Neemix-treated sheets (33.8%), indicating that the inexperienced females were significantly repelled and/or deterred by Neemix. In contrast, the Neemix-experienced females deposited more eggs (69.2-69.7%) on sections with Neemix-treated sheets than on sections with untreated sheets (30.3-30.8%), implying that the females were not repelled and/or deterred by Neemix following an experience. In the tests using egg-laying sheets coated with cabbage juice or with cabbage juice plus Neemix, the inexperienced females deposited more eggs (63.8%) on the sections with sheets treated with cabbage juice only than on the sections with sheets coated with cabbage juice and Neemix (36.2%), indicating that inexperienced females were repelled and/or deterred by Neemix. Similarly, Neemix-experienced females deposited more eggs (62.2-65.6%) on the sections with sheets treated with cabbage juice plus Neemix than on the sections with sheets treated with juice only (34.4-37.8%), suggesting that the females were not repelled and/or deterred by Neemix following an experience. On cabbage plants, inexperienced females oviposited similar numbers of eggs on both Neemix-treated (50.8%) and untreated plants (49.2%). However, the Neemix-experienced females oviposited more eggs on the plants treated with Neemix (56.3%) than on untreated plants (43.7%), indicating that the females were attracted by Neemix-treated plants following an experience. The significance of this study for applications of insect repellents/deterrents in pest management is discussed.     

Deterrence of oviposition of adult Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) by a natural enemy food supplement Envirofeast on maize in France

Oviposition deterrent activity of a natural enemy food supplement, Envirofeast, against Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner females was studied in choice and no-choice tests under laboratory conditions. Maize plants treated with Envirofeast at 25-40 g a.i./l had significantly fewer egg masses per leaf and eggs per egg mass laid on them compared with the untreated control plants in both choice and no-choice tests. However, maize plants treated with Envirofeast concentrations of 10-20 g a.i./l did not significantly deter the insect's oviposition. The optimum rate at which Envirofeast could deter oviposition was 25 g a.i./l. Increasing the rate of Envirofeast application from 25 g to 40 g a.i./l did not significantly increase its oviposition deterrent activity against O. nubilalis. However, reducing the rate from 25 to 20 g a.i./l resulted in a significant reduction in the oviposition deterrent activity of Envirofeast. The egg masses laid by O. nubilalis on Envirofeast treated plants were essentially (80%) located on the lower leaf surfaces in contrast to untreated (control) plants where only 40-60% of the egg masses were deposited on the lower leaf surfaces. The egg masses on the Envirofeast-treated plants were found at sites which did not receive sprays, indicating the importance of good spray coverage when the product is used in the field. The study has demonstrated the oviposition deterrent activity of Envirofeast against O. nubilalis on maize and this indicates that Envirofeast may have the potential to be integrated into programmes to assist in the control of O. nubilalis on maize.     

Efficacy of Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg extracts on contact mortality,repellency, oviposition deterrency and fumigant toxicity of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera:Bruchidae)

Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), a major pest of grain legumes, causes considerable losses worldwide. C. maculatus management relies on synthetic insecticides with their adverse environmental and health concerns. The current study investigated the use of Artocarpus altilis (breadfruit) extracts on contact and fumigant toxicity, repellency and oviposition deterrency of C. maculatus as a management strategy. Fumigant mortality (LC₅₀) of the dry inflorescence extract of A. altilis was 126.65 µL L^?1 air at 53.4 h. Fruit extract gave 73.3% repellency at 1000 ppm after 24 h. Percent repellency was dose and time dependent. Green inflorescence extract of A. altilis reduced egg laying with 50% oviposition occurring after 37.78 h at 1000 ppm. We conclude that extracts of leaf, fruit, green and dried inflorescence of A. altilis displayed contact mortality, repellency, deterred oviposition and had fumigant activity toward C. maculatus.     

Evaluation of some selective insecticides and their combinations with summer oil for the control of the pear psyllaCacopsylla pyri

A field trial was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of several selective insecticides for the control of pear psyllaCacopsylla pyri (L.) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in two successive years. Three insect growth regulators (IGRs) — diflubenzuron, pyriproxyfen and teflubenzuron, and an amin-hydrazine derivative — amitraz, were evaluated singly and in combination with summer oil (1%). All insecticides were applied at recommended label rates in both years. When compared with the untreated control, all insecticides alone and their combinations with summer oil, except for pyriproxyfen alone, provided control of young (1st and 2nd instars) nymphs. However, combined applications of these insecticides and summer oil were more effective than either insecticide alone for controlling the egg and young nymph stages of the pest. The products were less effective against older (3rd–5th instars) nymphs, even in combination with summer oil, and failed to suppress the population of older nymphs. Adding oil to sprays also delayed oviposition by winterform and summerform females. With the exception of oil with amitraz, combinations of insecticides with summer oil did not cause any phytotoxicity during the study.     

Deterrent effects of some botanical products on oviposition of the cowpea bruchid Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Extracts from nine plant materials were tested in choice and no-choice tests as oviposition deterrents for cowpea bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) on chickpea, Cicer arietinum L. Seed treatment with 0.1% crude extract of materials resulted in a significant reduction in ovipositional preference of the bruchid. The highest repellency was found in Rhazya stricta leaves (82%), Azadirachta indica seeds (76.8%), Heliotropium bacciferum aerial parts (59.2%) and citrus peels (58.6%). Progeny production was significantly reduced: only 11.5, 11.9, 12.4, 13.4 and 14.8% of the eggs deposited reached adulthood in R. stricta, neem seeds, Piper nigrum, citrus peels and H. bacciferum, respectively. F1 females laid significantly fewer eggs in response to R. stricta, neem seeds, Eugenia caryophyllata cloves, H. bacciferum, citrus peels and P. nigrum. Percentage reduction in F₂ progeny ranged between 71.4% with R. stricta-treated seeds and 24.5% in the P. nigrum treatment.     

Plant stalks as oviposition traps for Apolygus lucorum (Hemiptera: Miridae) under field conditions

Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is an important pest on cotton, fruit trees, tea and many other crops in China. Its small eggs are often laid inside plant tissues, making them difficult to detect and survey. In this study, the stalks of 20 plant species were assessed for use as oviposition traps for A. lucorum under field conditions in 2013, 2014 and 2017. During 2013–2014, A. lucorum adults laid eggs in the stalks of all plant species tested. When honey was added to bundles of stalks, the numbers of A. lucorum eggs laid in the stalks increased 1.79- to 44.00-fold compared with the stalks of the same plants without honey added. In general, the plant stalks of cotton Gossypium hirsutum L. and scandent hop Humulus scandens (Lour) Merr. attracted a great number of eggs among all plant species tested. In 2017, a positive correlation was found between the number of A. lucorum eggs laid in cotton plant stalks and A. lucorum adults in the corresponding field plots. Oviposition traps using cotton plant stalks provide a simple and practical method for monitoring the egg-laying dynamics of A. lucorum under field conditions.     

曲纹紫灰蝶生殖行为研究

曲纹紫灰蝶是为害苏铁植物的重要食叶害虫, 研究其繁殖行为和节律, 可为该虫防控策略的制定提供基础资料。本研究在半自然环境条件下观察和分析了曲纹紫灰蝶的羽化、交配和产卵行为及节律。发现曲纹紫灰蝶在5:00－18:59羽化, 9:00－12:59时达到羽化高峰;雄虫主动求偶和交配, 交配行为发生于白天, 交配高峰期为9:00－15:59, 交配时长(82.85±59.76) min, 交配姿势呈“一”字形;雌虫1 d内可多次产卵, 产卵高峰期在8:00－8:59和14:00－15:59 2个时间段, 卵多产于苏铁植物的嫩叶上, 单雌产卵量为10~282粒。     

Antifeedant effect of commercial chemicals and plant extracts against Schistocerca americana (Orthoptera: Acrididae) and Diaprepes abbreviatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

BACKGROUND: The deterrent effect of seven commercial compounds against Schistocerca americana (Drury) nymphs and Diaprepes abbreviatus L. adults, two important citrus pests, was investigated. Extracts of three Florida local plants were also tested as deterrents. Antifeedant activity was assayed using a leaf‐disk bioassay in choice and no‐choice tests. The residual activity of the commercial compounds that significantly deterred the insects was assayed by applying them to foliage of citrus plants exposed to three time intervals of sunlight. RESULTS: Sabadilla, azadirachtin and ryanodine effectively deterred S. americana, whereas rotenone, sabadilla and ryanodine reduced the feeding activity of D. abbreviatus. Methanol and methylene chloride extracts of Ceratiola ericoides Michaux deterred D. abbreviatus, but only methylene chloride extract dissuaded S. americana. Methanol extract of Ardisia crenata Sims functioned as a feeding deterrent against both S. americana and D. abbreviatus, but only the latter species was deterred by methylene chloride extract of A. crenata. Extracts of Illicium parviflorum Michaux ex Ventetat only dissuaded the insects in choice bioassays. Rapid loss of effectiveness was observed under field conditions. Sabadilla was the only compound that maintained its antifeedant properties in the field, but only against S. americana. CONCLUSION: Based on their deterrency, some of the commercial products and plant extracts have potential for use as substitute crop protectants against the pest species tested. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Oviposition preference assessment of Diabrotica speciosa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) for different soybean genotypes

This study assessed current research methods and applied them to tests of oviposition preference by Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) for different soybean genotypes; the correlation between the number of eggs per plant and leaf intake was evaluated. The experiments were divided into four parts: (i) assessing the preferred oviposition substrate; (ii) standardizing the number of D. speciosa pairs, (iii) evaluating the preferred soybean plant age, and (iv) testing the preference for oviposition on different soybean genotypes, and evaluating its correlation with leaf intake under laboratory conditions. Females of D. speciosa preferred to lay eggs in the soil, with the highest number of eggs laid in the presence of a growing soybean plant. The genotypes PI 227687, DM 339, and PI 274454 were the least preferred varieties for oviposition, while BRSGO 8360 was the most preferred genotype. Egg counts were not correlated with leaf intake, except for the variety IGRA RA 626 RR, which showed positive correlation. Our discoveries may be helpful for second-crop use of resistant genotypes in areas where different crops are cultivated, by reducing the pest density off-season.     

Effects of five vegetable oils on the sweetpotato whiteflyBemisia tabaci

The effects of five economically important vegetable (seed) oils, peanut, cottonseed, castor, soybean and sunflower, on adult and immature stages of the sweetpotato whitefly(Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) [Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae]) were studied in the laboratory. Irrespective of origin, oil residues had similar effects on immature stages and adult mortality, and on settling and oviposition deterrence. Trends for 5-h settling, 24-h oviposition and 24-h survival of adults on treated plants were similar for oils applied at the same concentration range. Settling deterrence was strong enough to cause adult death due to starvation or dehydration under no-choice conditions, and caused greater mortality than direct physical toxicity; similar results were obtained when adult survival on oil residues was compared to survival of starved adults. Adults recovered when transferred from oil-treated to untreated plants. All oils produced similar effects when sprayed on immatures; the egg and fourth instar (pupa) were the most tolerant stages. The oil concentration required for significant effects on whitefly mortality and behavior was relatively high (>0.3%) compared with published efficacy data for synthetic pesticides, and varied to some extent with oil origin. All tested oils were active as direct and residual larvicides. Peanut oil was the most effective for all tested effects, followed by cottonseed oil, which was significantly less effective than peanut and castor oils when applied-directly to eggs. Only by this latter parameter was castor oil more effective than cottonseed oil and similar to peanut oil. As direct sprays to larvae, soybean and sunflower oils resembled castor oils, but their residues were less effective against all stages.     

Ovicidal and oviposition deterrent activities of the flavonoid pectolinaringenin from Clerodendrum phlomidis against Earias vittella

Fractions derived from Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn. F. and isolated compounds from chloroform extract were evaluated against Earias vittella Fab. for their ovicidal and oviposition deterrent activities. There were 12 fractions obtained with silica gel column chromatographic techniques using different solvent systems. Among the fractions, fraction 5 recorded maximum ovicidal activity of 68.49% and oviposition deterrent activity of 100% at 1000 ppm concentration followed by 500 ppm concentration. The active fraction was further purified using HPLC. The purified fraction was subjected to UV, ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR, IR and EI-Mass spectroscopy and their spectral data confirmed the compound pectolinaringenin which belongs to the flavonoids. The compound pectolinaringenin was screened for its ovicidal and oviposition deterrent activities. It showed maximum ovicidal activity of 64.29% and oviposition deterrent activity of 100% at 100 ppm concentration against E. vittella. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of fractions and isolated compounds from C. phlomidis evaluated against E. vittella for their ovicidal and oviposition deterrent activities. The results from the present investigation clearly suggest that the active fraction or the isolated compound could be used to develop a novel pesticidal formulation to control economically important agricultural pests.     

Ovipositional response ofHelicoverpa armigera to different cotton genotypes

The ovipositional response ofHelicoverpa armigera (Hübner) to different cotton varieties and species was studied under caged conditions. Maximum oviposition (51.6 eggs/female) was recorded on LH 900, a variety ofGossypium hirsutum, and minimum oviposition (3.0 eggs/female) on G 27, a variety ofG. arboreum. Oviposition, in general, was low (3 to 6.5 eggs/female) onarboreum cottons as compared withhirsutum. Of the number of factors found to affect the oviposition ofH. armigera, the trichome length on the upper surface of the leaf, rather than the density, was positively correlated (r = 0.687*). Among different months in the cropping season, oviposition was maximum (552.7) during April. Oviposition was higher on leaves than on other plant parts.     

Bioactivity of essential oils from leaves and bark of Laurelia sempervirens and Drimys winteri against Acyrthosiphon pisum

BACKGROUND: The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), is a cosmopolitan pest that attacks a wide range of legume crops and vectors important plant virus diseases. In this project, essential oils from the leaf (L) and bark (B) of Laurelia sempervirens (Ruiz & Pavón) Tul. (L) and Drimys winteri JR Forster & G Forster (D) were extracted, and their deterrent and insecticidal activities were tested under laboratory conditions. RESULTS: By use of GC‐MS, safrole was found as the main constituent in LL and LB oils, while the main constituents were more diverse in DL and DB oils. In the deterrent bioassays with A. pisum under choice conditions, the four oils were active, with LL being the most active, followed by LB, DB and DL. The respective deterrence indices were 1.0, 0.89, 0.87 and 0.46 when aphids were exposed for 24 h to 4 µL mL^?1. Although there was no aphid mortality when oils were sprayed on faba bean leaves before aphid infestation, there was 58 and 42% mortality when settled aphids were directly sprayed with 4.0 µL mL^?1 of LL and LB respectively; DB and DL oils caused ≤18% mortality. In a third series, the essential oils of LL and LB caused 100% mortality when applied at a dose of 64 µL L^?1 air by fumigation to faba bean plants infested with A. pisum; at the same dose, DB and DL oils caused 68 and 63% mortality respectively. When fumigation was limited to 2 h, the respective LC₅₀ values for LL and LB oils were 10.6–14.3 µL L^?1 air and 9.8–13.2 µL L^?1 air. CONCLUSION: Because of their high deterrent and insecticidal activities, the essential oils from leaf and bark of L. sempervirens may be explored as potential natural aphicides. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Unusual behavior of oviposition and development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sitophilus zeamais</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in peach and apple fruits

The maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, 1855 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a worldwide pest on stored products, as maize, wheat and rice grains. However, in South Brazil, these weevils have been found attacking fruits in field conditions. It was reported that adults attack fruits to feeding, but there was no information of oviposition and larval development on these hosts. Furthermore, due to monitoring apple orchards, was observed that some fruits showed distinct kind of punctures, suggesting a oviposition by these weevils. The present study reports first record an unusual behavior of S. zeamais by oviposition and larval development in peach and apple fruits. The study was conducted in laboratory conditions (temperature: 25?±?1 °C, RH: 70?±?10% and photophase of 14 h). Peach and apple fruits were offered to S. zeamais females. The oviposition and duration of immature stages in peach were measured in fruits and in corn grains, used as control observation. The oviposition and larval development occurred in peach and apple fruits, with a development until to adult. The average of egg-to-adult was 47.4 d in peach and and 45.1 d apple fruits, respectively, while in corn grains, its natural host, the duration was 38.2 d. These results show that the damage caused by S. zeamais in peach and apple fruits may be due to oviposition and the development of immature stages. So, the novelty is in demonstrating that the maize weevil does not just feed as an adult opportunistically on the fruits, but can complete a full life cycle using fresh fruits.     

Direct and indirect efficacy of truck-mounted applications of s-methoprene against Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) is a globally significant vector that complexifies management programs already contending with Aedes aegypti (L.). The Ae. albopictus mosquito is a daytime biting, container breeding, anthropophilic mosquito that is generally considered unresponsive to operational larviciding that does not also incorporate source reduction. S-methoprene is a readily available juvenile hormone mimic common to pest management. This 14-week study examines direct and indirect treatment efficacy using s-methoprene as an ultra-low volume (ULV) truck spray in area-wide operations against Ae. albopictus in the southeastern United States. An overall 63.3% reduction of Ae. albopictus adults and 47.8% reduction of deposited eggs in treatment areas were observed compared with control. Indirect plots saw reduction in Ae. albopictus adults by 32.7% and eggs by 32.3%. Using insect growth regulator bioassays, truck-mounted ULV application of s-methoprene was effective to an inhibition of emergence (IE) of ≥92% within directly treated (sprayed) areas and >65% IE among containers placed up to 90 m away. S-methoprene could still benefit urban vector management programs when applied at an operational scale.     

Larvicidal and oviposition‐altering activity of monoterpenoids,trans‐anithole and rosemary oil to the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

BACKGROUND: Aedes aegypti L. is the major vector of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever. In an effort to find effective tools for control programs to reduce mosquito populations, the authors assessed the acute toxicities of 14 monoterpenoids, trans‐anithole and the essential oil of rosemary against different larval stages of Ae. aegypti. The potential for piperonyl butoxide (PBO) to act as a synergist for these compounds to increase larvicidal activity was also examined, and the oviposition response of gravid Ae. aegypti females to substrates containing these compounds was evaluated in behavioral bioassays. RESULTS: Pulegone, thymol, eugenol, trans‐anithole, rosemary oil and citronellal showed high larvicidal activity against all larval stages of Ae. aegypti (LC₅₀ values 10.3–40.8 mg L^?1). The addition of PBO significantly increased the larvicidal activity of all test compounds (3–250‐fold). Eugenol, citronellal, thymol, pulegone, rosemary oil and cymene showed oviposition deterrent and/or repellent activities, while the presence of borneol, camphor and β‐pinene increased the number of eggs laid in test containers. CONCLUSIONS: This study quantified the lethal and sublethal effects of several phytochemical compounds against all larval stages of Aedes aegypti, providing information that ultimately may have potential in mosquito control programs through acute toxicity and/or the ability to alter reproductive behaviors. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Clutch size decisions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cotesia glomerata</Emphasis>, a gregarious parasitoid of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pieris brassicae</Emphasis>

This work investigated the ability of the gregarious larval endoparasitoid Cotesia glomerata L. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to adjust the progeny sex ratio and clutch size with repeated oviposition experience and the effect of a honey-based diet on the clutch size. In the field-collected clusters many clusters were female-biased but some clusters (3.8%) produced only male wasps, suggesting that there is a low percentage of unmated females in the field. Superparasitism was common in the field, and females were believed to increase progeny sex ratio when attacking previously parasitized hosts. In the laboratory, the number of eggs laid in a day tended to decrease with increasing female age. For females that were offered two hosts per day and for those offered three hosts per day, this value became nearly the same at 9 days after the start of oviposition. Old females which attacked many hosts tended to lay fewer eggs in a day than young ones. However, the degree of this tendency was not the same for all the parasitoid females of all three groups because sperm remained viable throughout a female’s lifetime. The amount of sperm used in a single oviposition bout seemed fixed and was not dependent on the number of eggs laid. Over the 2 days of the clutch size response experiment, the number of hosts a female attacked per day was not affected by the presence or absence of honey.