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This is the most abundant of the
parasitoids attacking lightbrown apple moth in orchards.
It originates from Australia. It has been recorded
causing 20 to 50% parasitism in lightbrown apple moth
populations from Otago to Auckland. Parasitism usually
increases over the summer with each generation of
leafroller larvae. The female lays a single egg within
the 1st or 2nd stage caterpillar, which continues to
develop to the 4th stage, when it dies and the wasp
produces a characteristic white
cocoon. This is the stage of the wasp encountered
most often in orchards. This wasp is also attacked by
other parasitoid wasps (hyperparasitism), such as the
ichneumonid Gelis sp., the eulophid Pediobius
sp. and a pteromalid. |
