HEDAYA H. KARAM, AFILAM A. ALFAZAIRY, ELM. HEGAZI . AND LAMYA M. ABO-ABD-ALLAH
Faculty of Agriculture, Plant Protection Dept., Entomology Divi, University of Aleandria , Alex . Egypt .

ABSTRACT

The probability of survival to maturity of the parasitoid Microplitis rufwenrris in NPV-infected Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) larvae was greatly affected by the timing of eXposure of the host to the S. Liuoratis nuclear polyhedrosis virus (SLNPV) In general, survival fractions of the parasitoid increased as the period L>tween parasitization and virus-infection was increased. When host-infection was delayed by at least 2days following parasitization, the percentages â M.ruflvcntris cocoon formation and emerging of adults were not greatly irtluenced by virus-infection. However, the mean total developmental tinie (from egg to 4dult) of M.ruJIveniris increased as the period between oviposition and host virus infection increased, The parasitoid adult longevity did riot differ significantly when infection was delayed by at least 2 days after parasitizacort. On the contrary, longevity of parasitoids developed from host larvae infectea immediately following parasitization was less than that of the control.

Key Words: Macropilis rufiventris, Spodoptera littoralis, Nuclear polyhedrosis virus, Development, Longevity.