Biology and Parasitic Potential of Goniozus nephantidis (Muesebeck)

This book gives detailed information regarding the Biology and parasitic potential of ecto-larval parasitoid, Goniozus nephantidis (Muesebeck) (Bethylidae: Hymenoptera). Goniozus nephantidis is a well known larval parasitoid. The later instar larvae were whitish yellow and having clear larval segmentation. The full grown larvae with tapering ends and bulge middle portion of larval body. The cocoon of G. nephantidis was made loosely woven by silken threads and white in color with oblong in shape and became tough attached with substrate. The newly emerged adults of G. nephantidis were black in color with transparent membranous wings; the antennae were filliform with 13 segmented. G. nephantidis can paralyze the larva of C. cephalonica within 2 to 3 hours after release. The female examines the host for about 20 to 25 seconds. The average number of larvae parasitized by adult parasitoid of G. nephantidis was 6.07 ± 1.55. The average clutch size of G. nephantidis was 8.97 ± 2.09 eggs per larvae.