Abai, MR

6th International Congress of DipterologyEgg placement of the tachinid fly Sturmia bella on leaves ofthe evergreen milkvine Marsdenia tomentosa and the feedinghabit of its host butterfly Parantica sitaHirai, N. & M. IshiiEntomological Laboratory, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka, Sakai 599-8531, JapanWe investigated the egg placement of the microtype tachinid fly Sturmiabella on leaves of the evergreen milkvine Marsdenia tomentosa, one of thefoodplants of the host butterfly Parantica sita, in the southern Kinkidistrict of Japan. Most S. bella eggs were found on the undersurface ofyoung M. tomentosa leaves around leaf tips or along leaf margins. Choiceof oviposition sites was independent of leaf size and existence of leafdamage made by the host larvae. P. sita changed its feeding patterns withlarval development and left three types of characteristic feeding marks onM. tomentosa leaves. Since fourth and fifth instar larval P. sita ate themarginal areas, apical areas and sometimes even entire leaves, most S.bella eggs are considered to be ingested during these stages. Both femaleadults and larvae of P. sita showed no age preference for the M. tomentosaleaves. The relationship between the feeding habit of P. sita and the eggplacement of S. bella on M. tomentosa is discussed.Key Words: Sturmia bella, Parantica sita, Marsdenia tomentosa, hostparasiterelationship∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗106