Central Potato Research Institute, Simla, (India).
The life history, extent of natural parasitism and period of activity of Perscepsia carbonaria Panz., an endoparasite of cutworms viz., Agrotis segetum (Schiff.) and A. ipsilon (Hfn.) is reported. Its natural parasitism varies from 18.5 to 20 percent against cutworms in the potato crop at Simla in Himachal Pradesh. Its gestation, larval and pupal periods occupy 15 to 20, 15 to 20 and 12 to 20 days, respectively. The longevity of adults varies from 15 to 25 days. The sex-ratio of males and femaes in the field collected adults was 4:5. No superparasitism and hyper-parasites were recorded. A detailed morphological description of its adult, uterine egg, 3 larval instars and puparium is given. Its utilization for biological control of cutworms has also been suggested in the potato growing regions of India and other countries where it does not occur.
