Amino-Acids as Oviposition Stimulants for the Egg-Larval Parasitoid, Chelonus sp. near curvimaculatus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Chelonus sp. near curvimaculatus females readily investigated and actively oviposited into artificial eggs constructed with various amino acids or insect culture media sandwiched between Parafilm sheets. Among 11 amino acids tested, the positively charged arginine, histidine, and lysine evoked intense ovipositional activity from Chelonus adults. Nonpolar methionine was slightly effective. More parasitoid eggs were oviposited into artificial eggs containing host (Trichoplusia ni) larval hemolymph than amino acids or artificial insect culture media tested. Dilution of host hemolymph with distilled water (1:15) significantly (P < 0.05) reduced ovipositional activity.