1977/03/01 by D. Rojas-Rousse, Danielle Rojas-Rousse, M. Benoit
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Hymenoptera taxonomy and phylogeny #Insect behavior and control techniques #Plant and animal studies
paper · doi:10.1017/s0007485300010956
crossref issued 1977/03/01 · crossref published 1977/03/01 · crossref published-print 1977/03/01 · openalex publication_date 1977/03/01 · crossref published-online 2009/07/10 · crossref created 2009/07/13 · crossref deposited 2019/05/28 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/07/30 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Abstract Larvae of Pimpla instigator (F.) were found to pass through five larval instars during development. Initial studies of external morphology identified only three morphological groups: the primary larva (L 1 ) the intermediate larvae (L 2 − 4 ) and the final instar larvae (L 5 ). Biometrical study of the maximum head width, width of buccal mask, inter-metatentorial distance and diameter of spiracles permitted morphological separation of all five larval instars. Under a 16 h photophase (at 25±1°C; 70±10% r.h.) and an 8 h scotophase (at 15±l°C; 80±10% r.h.) the 2nd, 3rd and 4th larval instars were found to last about 24 h each, and the 5th instar 9±1 days. Progressive development of the genital buds during the 5th instar and prepupal stages facilitated sexing of the larvae.