Female:
Head and mesosoma dark pitchy
brown to black; metasoma yellow-orange, apically black. Antenna (Fig. 1) 18-segmented,
appears to be
subdivided with tube-like longitudinal sensillae ('placode sensillae') arranged in two ranks per
flagellomere (Fig. 2). Metasomal tergum 2 with median area defined by grooves diverging at an angle
greater than 110-120 degrees; apical margin concave, median region
sometimes strongly raised. Fore wing venation as in Fig. 3. Vannal lobe of hind wing subapically flattened or
even concave, setae usually sparse or absent over flattened part of margin.
Apical setae of ovipositor sheath sparse and reduced in size, less than half
as long as apical width of sheaths.
Male: Similar to
female, except gaster mostly dark brown to black, only anteriorly
yellow.
Fig. 1. Female antenna
.jpg)
Fig. 2. Placode sensillae on antenna
.jpg)
Fig. 3. Forewing venation
Fig. 4. Thorax and propodeum, dorsal view
Adult - dorsal and lateral view
Distatrix papilionis is a gregarious endoparasitoid of the citrus butterfly,
Papilio demoleus L.
The parasitoid is arrhenotokous and prefers the first four larval instars for
parasitization. The larval development of the parasite was significantly
influenced by the larval instars of the host. The duration of parasitic
development decreased with increasing host age (instar) (Krishnamoorthy,
1987). The extent of parasitism varies from negligible to substantial levels
and has a close association with minimum temperature and rainfall (Singh,
1994).
