Description of female and biology of Blaesoxipha ragg Pape (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), a parasitoid of Sciarasaga quadrata Rentz (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) in Western Australia
Bluesoxiphu rugg was recorded parasitising both sexes of the bushcricket, Sciurusuga quadrutu, at Cape Naturaliste in Western Australia. This is the first host record for B. rugg. Parasitism rates recorded over three successive seasons ranged from 0 to 11.1%. Parasite development within the host was 6 d. Parasitised male S. quudrutu were frequently multiparasitised with the ormiine tachinid fly Homotrixu alleni Barraclough. From 6 to 24 B. rugg developed in each host, with pupal size significantly affected by the number of larvae per host. The duration of the pupal stage at 15-25 °C ranged from 13 to 35 d. The sex ratio of emerged flies was 50:50. The previously unknown adult female fly and third-instar larva of B. rugg are described.
History
Publication title
Australian Journal of Entomology
Volume
35
Pagination
147-151
ISSN
1326-6756
Department/School
Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing Asia
Place of publication
54 University St, P O Box 378, Carlton, Australia, Victoria, 3053