Natural control of populations of Ormiscdes rufosignata (Lepidoptera) through a process of triple parasitoidism

Abstract

Natural control of populations of Ormiscdes rufosignata (Lepidoptera) through a process of triple parasitoidism?

The fact that the ichneumonids Habronyx albifrons and Hyposoter niger and the tachinid Parasetigena porteri grow in some metamorphosic steps of the butterfly Ormiscodes rufosignata is interpreted as a mechanism of natural control. The role of the natural control related with the insect pests problem is discussed according to the idea that the host species and its pests set up an ecological system. It is suggested that the integrated pest control must be used instead of pesticides which contribute to the water and soil pollution and are aceumulated in the food chains.