Distatrix Mason

Gupta, Ankita & Fernández-Triana, José L., 2014, Diversity, host association, and cocoon variability of reared Indian Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Zootaxa 3800 (1), pp. 1-101 : 8

Genus Distatrix Mason ( Figs 55−56 , 137 )

Rearing Data: The genus Distatrix is mainly reported from pantropical regions with very few records from temperate areas. The genus is equivalent to Nixon’s formosus group ( Mason 1981). Cocoons that are gregarious in nature mimic flower heads, while the solitary ones make single stalked cocoons ( Whitfield 1997). Almost 758 specimens were bred from caterpillars collected all over India.

Life History Comments: Only one species, Distatrix papilionis (Viereck) ( Fig. 137 ) is recorded from India, attacking Papilio demoleus Linnaeus. Gregarious white cocoon masses ranging from 15-158 cocoons/leaf were observed ( Figs 1 A, 55, 56). Number of cocoons/caterpillar/leaf varied with the stage of larval instar. The early instars (2nd instar) of lime butterfly, having the appearance of bird droppings, yielded 15-26 cocoons/caterpillar/ leaf. Third instar parasitism yielded 49, 58, 96 cocoons/caterpillar/leaf, respectively. From late instars 112, 131, 148, and 158 cocoons/caterpillar/leaf were collected. This shows positive correlation between the number of cocoons/caterpillar/leaf and the larval stage (and possibly with the size of the host).

Figures

FIGURE 137. Distatrix papilionis (Viereck) (female) — A. Dorsal view B. Profile view C. Mesosoma D. Metasoma.

FIGURES 55 – 56. 55. Parasitized caterpillar of Papilio demoleus L. with cocoons of Distatrix papilionis (Viereck); 56. Cocoon mass of Distatrix papilionis (Viereck).

FIGURE 1. 1 A. Leaves with cocoons; 1 B. Test tubes with single cocoon mass for emergence.