Abstract
In the present study larvae of the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis WALKER which were either bred on a semi-artificial diet or collected in the paddy field, were used to rear a gregarious internal parasite, Apanteles chilonis MUNAKATA to compare the biological characteristics of the parasite. Rearing the parasite on larvae bred on the semi-artificial diet decreased the longevity of adult female, the number of mature eggs in ovaries, the number of eggs laid by a single female and the survival rate. Moreover, either females or males of the parasite were produced more frequently from the host larvae bred on the semi-artificial diet. It is not determined in the present study whether inbreeding of the parasite or the change of the host physiological condition resulted in these deleterious effects.
