Abstract

In the present work, laboratory and field strains of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. (Lepdoptera: Pyralidae) were reared on two food types (artificial diet for laboratory strain and wax frames for field strain) to study some biological aspects of the developmental stages of braconid wasp, Apanteles galleriae Wilkinson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) the parasitoid of G. mellonella. Results of total developmental period, percentages of adults’ emergence and longevity of females of the parasitoid are different when reared on two strains of G. mellonella. Total developmental period of the immature stages was shorter on field strain (47.26 days) than that reared on laboratory strain of G. mellonella recording 57.5 days. In contrast, no significant differences were observed between the longevity of adult females reared on the two strains, where the longevity period was 25.33 and 26.3 days in laboratory and field strains, respectively.  Also, life cycle of immature stages, longevity of adults and reproductive parameters of the parasitoid A. galleriae were determined. The fecundity of A. galleria decreased when reared on laboratory strain of G. mellonella; it was 140 progeny/females and increased to 177.3 progeny/females when A. galleria was reared on G. mellonella field strain. On the other hand, the sex ratio of the parasitoid and longevity are different between the two strains. Results of the life tables for G. mellonella and the parasitoid, A. galleria strains, showed shortage in generation periods for that reared on the field strain. The present study was conducted to explore the effect of food types on some biological parameters of G. mellonella and its parasitoid, A. galleria.

Key words: Parasitoid, greater wax moth, biology, life table, host preference.