HOST HEMOLYMPH CHEMICALS THAT INDUCE OVIPOSITION IN THE PARASITEITOPLECTIS CONQUISITOR(HYMENOPTERA: ICHNEUMONIDAE)

Abstract

A physiologically active fraction inducing oviposition inItoplectis conquisitor(Say), and isolated from the hemolymph of some insects, was studied in detail using hemolymph fromGalleria mellonella(L.) andCelerio euphorbiae(L.). The active fraction consisted of hexoses and some 19 common amino acids. The hexose component may act as a synergist in inducing oviposition while not all amino acids were necessary to induce oviposition.I.conquisitorlaid eggs in the hemolymph of species of Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, and Trichoptera, but did not oviposit in the hemolymph of species belonging to Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Neuroptera, Plecoptera, and Crustacea.