抄録
The parasitoid Apnteles galleriae (Braconidae) disturbed the developmental process of its larval host Galleria mellonella. The effect was particularly evident during the middle and late stages of larval development of the host, irrespective of the host age at the time of parasitism. The decrease in host weight gain occurred in the parasitized larvae older than the 4th instar stage. The reduction in host head capsule width paralleled the decrease in weight gain. The duration of the final instar, was markedly prolonged. The ultimate instar of the parasitized host varied with the host stages at which the parasitoid oviposited; when the host was parasitized at the 1st or 3rd instar, emergence mostly occurred at the 5th instar. When the host was parasitized at the 4th to 6th instar, emergence was at the 6th instar. The parasitized host, in the ultimate instar, began wandering earlier than usual and spun a cocoon. Shortly before the parasitoid's emergence from the host, an apolysis of the host occurred. but the overall morphology of the newly formed host was larval, i.e., the thoracic legs and ocelli were still present. The parasitoid seems to induce early pupating behavior of the host without metamorphosis to pupa.
