Distribution,hosts and biology of diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) in Punjab,Pakistan

Diaeretiella rapae (m'intosh) (hymenoptera: braconidae,aphidiinae ) aphid parasitoid is reported from various districts of punjab province of pakistan from a wide range of host aphids and plant associations,including some new evidences. biological information centered development,life-stages and their micrographes,mating and oviposition,adult lon gevity and food have been discussed. biology of the parasitoid reared on myzus persicae aphids in the laboratory at 23±1°c have been discussed. the development cycle from larva to adult was completed in about 11.5 days at 21-23°c. the pre-mating period of males (n=10) varied between 20 and 40 minutes (mean: 28.8 min),however it was longer in females most of which rejected all copulatory attempts at least two hours after emergence. when newly emerged females were confined with males for a period of 12 h,all mated i.e.,they produced progeny of both sexes. copulation time (n = 10 pairs) was between 30 and 60 s (mean: 46.3 s). oviposition time (n = 10 females) was between 46 and 64 s (mean: 52.6 s). female lived longer (11.1± 0.16 days) than males (9.4 ± 0.18 days) when offered honey and water. the lifespan of adult females was shorter (10.2 ± 0.05 days) in the presence of host aphids and host plant leaves than only with honey and water. copyright 2012 zoological society of pakistan.