Insect Pests of Fruits, Plantation, Medicinal & Aromatic Crops

Adaptations in parasitioids

• Egg is laid on the host plant of the host by the parasitoid. Egg of the parasitoid is ingested into the body system of the host. (eg) Tochinid fly.
  
• Parasitic larva finds its host when it moves in search of food. (eg) Tachinid maggot.
  
• Eggs are laid on the outer surface of the host. The parasitic grubs remain outside and feed on the host. (eg) Bethlid on Opisina.
  
• Eggs may be laid outside. The hatching grubs bore the body wall of the host and feed inside the host.
  
• Eggs are laid and development occurs inside the host.
  
• Adult parasites are highly efficient in locating the host.
  
• They posses sense organs to locate the hosts.
  
• Ovipositor is suitably developed for proper egg placement.
  
• Polyembryony – several individuals develop from a single egg. Because of this, the larger host is thoroughly exploited.
  
• Phoresy – One organism is utilized by another for transport. (eg) A chalcid parasitoid attaches itself to ant and gets transported to ants nest for parasitizing the ant grubs.