Distribution, biology and ecology of Dentichasmias busseolae Heinr. (Hym., Ichneumonidae), a pupal parasite of graminaceous stem-borers (Lep., Pyralidae)

Abstract

Dentichasmias busseolae Heinr., an important pupal parasite of Pyralid graminaceous stem-borers in East Africa, is widely distributed in the Ethiopian Region but is more abundant in areas with an equatorial humid climate. In the laboratory adults mated immediately after emergence and started oviposition the same day. The female oviposits only in a borer pupa without a cocoon in a stem, and oviposition is stimulated by the presence of the frass of Chilo partellus (Swinh.) larvae. D. busseolae does not attack Busseola fusca (Fuller), Sesamia calamistis Hmps. or Eldana saccharina Wlk. in the field but these were accepted for oviposition when exposed in C. partellus pupation tunnels or with frass of C. partellus larvae, and were suitable for development. D. busseolae could complete its development in one- to eight-day-old C. partellus pupae when the pupal period of C. partellus was 10·5 days. The life-cycle was completed in 15–19 days at a mean temperature of 25°C, but could not be completed at a constant temperature of 30°C; temperatures fluctuating between 22°C and 30°C were not detrimental. At Namulonge (Uganda) percentage parasitism showed a positive correlation with rainfall, with a lag of about a month.