Central Potato Research Institute, Simla-171001, (India).
The extent of natural parasitism, life history and period of activity of Macrocentrus collaris Spinola, a dominant endoparasite of cutworms viz., Agrotis segetum (Schiff.) and A. ipsilon (Hfn.) is reported. This is the first record of the parasite on these hosts from India. Its pre-oviposition, incubation, larval, pre-pupal and pupal periods occupy 1 to 2, 6 to 7, 28 to 43, 2 to 3 and 13 to 23 days, respectively. The longevity of adults varied from 3 to 4 days. The sex-ratio of males and females in the field collected material was 1: 9.7. A detailed morphological description of male and female adults of M. collaris is given. Male genital organs have been described. Its utilization for biological control of cutworms has also been suggested in potato growing regions of India and other countries where it does not occur.
