has A mechanism for developing resiatance to insecticides. 



(5. ; Cross, W. H.; and Mitchell, H. C. 1969. Biology of Bracon mellitor , 



a parasite of the boll weevil. J, Econ. Entomol. 62: 889-896. 

 Under optimum conditions in the laboratory, using 3rd-stage larvae of the boll 

 weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, for hosts, raininum life cycle averaged 11 

 days, average longevity of females was almost 22 days, and that of males was 10 

 days. The species was satisfactorily reared in the laboratory in the range of 

 21-29*C and 40-70% RH. Adult mortality rates increased sharply at lower levels 

 of relative humidity. Females mated almost immediately after emergence. The 

 egg was greatly contorted during oviposition and required 23-25 hours to hatch 

 at 27-29'C. In a laboratory test, females deposited an average of 7.75 eggs per 

 day or an ave/age total of 164 eggs per female. They readily paralyzed and laid 

 eggs on older boll weevil larvae; they rarely attacked pupae. Newly hatched 

 larvae of the parasites were cannibalistic, limiting production per host 

 material. Diapause and overwintering occurred in the prepupal stage. The 

 overwintered generation was characterized by denser cocoons and black markings 

 on the emerging adults. In the laboratory, relative humidity below 35% tended 

 to induce diapause, and diapausing prepupae conditioned at 2-6''C for 2 weeks 

 pupated and emerged as adults more promptly than when they were not thus cold 

 treated. The release of adults at the )?kte of more than 800 females per acre of 

 "cotTon per week in 1 field test increased parasitism from to morn than 502 in 

 naturally falling boll-weevil-ir¥ested squares and to more than 80^ in squares 

 tied to the plants. This effect contrasts with the 25 and 35% maximum 

 parasitism, respectively, observed in natural populations. Mass releases made 

 periodically might produce effective control of boll weevisl. However, mass 

 rearing has not been perfected, 



7. Adkisson, P. L. 1973. Integrated control of the insect pests of cotton. 

 Proc. Tall Timbers Cor.f. Ecol. Control Habitat Manage. 4: 175-188. 



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