Cotesia marginiventris (Creson)

(Insecta: Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

As generalists, Cotesia spp. parasitoids are recorded on many common agricultural pests including armyworms, cutworms, diamondback moth, and Helicoverpa zea (known as corn earworm, cotton bollworm, and tomato fruitworm). Cotesia marginiventris also is used as a biological control of beet armyworm and cabbage looper.

Cotesia marginiventris adults are approximately 3 mm long. A good sign of the parasitoid’s presence is a caterpillar that is empty inside, but the cuticle layer is intact and one round exit hole is visible.

Cotesia marginiventris lays its eggs into young larvae of noctuid moths. The developing parasitoid consumes the internal tissues of the host and completes its life cycle in approximately 13 days.

Cotesia marginiventris is native to the West Indies and is present in Florida.

Images 

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Adult Cotesia marginiventris (Creson) on a corn leaf with host larvae
(Photographer: Andrei Sourakov, Florida Museum of Natural History)

Adult male Cotesia marginiventris (Creson)
(Photographer: Andrei Sourakov, Florida Museum of Natural History)

Larva of Cotesia marginiventris (Creson)
(Photographer: Andrei Sourakov, Florida Museum of Natural History)

Pupae of Cotesia marginiventris (Creson)
(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)

Exit hole (on right) caused by emergence of Cotesia marginiventris (Creson) from dead host larva
(Photographer: Andrei Sourakov, Florida Museum of Natural History)