POPULATION-DYNAMICS OF TELENOMUS-FARIAI [HYM, SCELIONIDAE], A PARASITE OF CHAGAS-DISEASE VECTORS .8. MORPHOLOGICAL AND ECOLOGICAL COMPARISON BETWEEN 2 ALLOPATRIC POPULATIONS UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Telenomus fariaiLima ranges from Argentina and Chile to Mexico; some ecological parameters and morphological characters were compared between tropical (Costa Rica) and temperate (Argentina) populations, as reared on tropical and temperate hosts. The results of the 4 combinations between the 2 parasite populations and the 2 host species (Triatoma phyllosoma pallidipennisStal) and Triatoma infestansKlug) [Hym.: Reduviidae] showed that only the parasite's geographical origin was statistically significant when evaluated through adult female life expectancy at time of emergence from the host, development time, total progeny per host per female 0-24 h old, and generation time. No difference was found between parasite populations with respect to total progeny per female and net reproductive rate. The morphometry proved statistically significant for all body measurements except the antennae. © 1979 Le François.