Basic nutrients content of Catolaccus grandis Burks reared in cotton boll weevil larvae

Abstract

The aim of this work was to determine the levels of carbohydrate, soluble proteins and free amino acids of larvae, pupae and adult females Catolaccus grandis Burks (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) which were reared in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. r. latifolium Hutch) boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis) larvae venomized by ectoparasitoid of female and 1^st instar ectoparasitoid larvae. This study was carried out at the Biological Control of Pests Research Unit, Weslaco, Texas. The twenty samples of each one of three stages of development: 3^rd instar larval, female pupae and female adult of parasitoid C. grandis were separated and individually weighted, and levels of carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids were quantified when reared in different substrates. The results confirmed the existence of metabolic patterns significantly distinct from the basic nutrient model.