The biology and morphology of Entedon sylvestris (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a larval endoparasitoid of Ceutorhynchus sisymbrii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The biology and morphology of preimaginal stages of Entedon sylvestris Szelenyi (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), are described in detail for the first time. Entedon sylvestris is a larval endoparasitoid of the seed-feeding larvae of the weevil Ceutorhynchus sisymbrii Dieckmann on the small tumbleweed mustard, Sisymbrium loeselii L. (Brassicaceae). In the Ukraine, females of E. sylvestris begin ovipositing in late May and continue to lay eggs until the beginning of July. Females of E. sylvestris parasitize weevil larvae of various instars. The parasitoid larva remains within the body of the host weevil larva until the emergence of the latter from the dried host-plant pods. The morphology of each of the three larval instars is described in detail. The moult of the parasitoid larva into the final instar, as well as pupation, takes place underground. Adults of E. sylvestris must therefore penetrate a soil layer to emerge the following spring.