Influence of Adult Food Deprivation and Body Size on Fecundity and Longevity ofTrichopoda giacomellii:A South American Parasitoid ofNezara viridula

Reproductive attributes ofTrichopoda giacomellii,an agent for biological control ofNezara viridula,were studied to determine the influence of adult food availability and body size on age-specific fecundity, ovariole number and length, egg load, and longevity. Females ofT. giacomelliihad a mean longevity of 9.6 ± 0.6 days when fed raisins and water and a mean longevity of 3.2 ± 0.1 days when fed water only. Mean fecundity was 163.1 ± 12.7 eggs per female when fed raisins, 34.9 ± 4.0 eggs per female when fed only water. Fecundity was significantly correlated with longevity when flies were provided with an adult food source (raisins), but not when fed only water. Intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) and population doubling time were calculated as 0.13 and 5.32 days for females fed raisins and as 0.08 and 8.27 days for females fed water only. Ovariole number was positively correlated with body size (head width) and ranged from 9 to 37 ovarioles per female. Fecundity and longevity were not correlated with female body size. The importance of adult food sources to reproductive performance is discussed in relation to the use of tachinids in biological control programs.