Interspecific Competition between <i>Anisopteromalus calandrae</i> (Howard) (Pteromalidae) and <i>Dinarmus basalis</i> (Rond.) (Pteromalidae) on <i>Callosobruchus chinensis</i> (L.)

Abstract

The effects of interspecific competition between parasitoids Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard) and Dinarmus basalis (Rond.) for their host, Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) have been conducted at a constant temperature of 30±1°C and 75±5% r.h. A number of 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 4th instar larval host containing seeds of C. chinensis were confined to 24,48,72,96 and 120 hours egg laying of both the parasitoids respectively. Total number of progeny produced by the two parasitoids were 16.9 ± 2.76, 20.7 ± 5.69, 31.1± 7.47, 38.6 ± 5.87 and 56.7 ± 9.86 at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours duration respectively. The parasitoid, D. basalis showed higher parasitism than A. calandrae in competition of host choice in all the egg laying periods observed. The individual highest parasitism of D. basalis was 50.0, 33.75, 36.66, 30.0 and 32.0 and that of A. calandrae was 25.0, 15.0, 18.33, 16.25 and 21.0 % respectively in 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours duration respectively. Key words: Interspecific competition, Anisopteromalus calandrae, Dinarmus basalis, Callosobruchus chinensis, progeny production, parasitism. J. bio-sci. 14: 103-106, 2006