Apanteles subandinus Blanchard

Apanteles subandinus is a solitary internal larval parasitoid. Copulation and oviposition take place immediately after emergence. The full-grown parasitoid larva is creamish white in colour. After emergence from the host caterpillar, it spins a cylindrical white cocoon. 14 to 20 days are required to complete development from egg to adult. Adults feeding on honey solution live for 3 to 9 days.

Fairly large sized infested potatoes are used containing 3 to 5 day old potato tuber moth larvae.

Freshly emerged Apanteles subandinus are collected from the cage and each pair is kept in a separate container provided with a cotton swab soaked in honey and one in water. After ensuring mating the female is introduced into a jar containing a potato tuber infested by 3 to 5 days old potato tuber moth larvae. This jar is provided with a circular polythene sheet at the bottom, with sand sprinkled on it to facilitate cocoon formation. A cotton swab soaked in honey and one in water are also provided at the lateral side of the jar.

The white cocoons of Apanteles subandinus are clearly seen from the underside of the jar after about 10 days of exposure. The cocoons are removed carefully kept in small container and the container placed in a jar with wet sponge lining at the bottom. A cotton swab soaked in honey is provided on the side of the jar. After the removal of the parasitoid cocoons from the bottom of the jar, the potatoes are kept in a separate jar to allow for the emergence of Apanteles subandinus from the cocoons which are formed inside the tubers.