Description of Female and Biology of Blaesoxipha ragg Pape (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), a Parasitoid of Sciarasaga quadrata Rentz (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) in Western Australia

Abstract

Bluesoxiphu rugg was recorded parasitising both sexes of the bushcricket, Sciurusuga quadrutu, at Cape Naturaliste in Western Australia. This is the first host record for B. rugg. Parasitism rates recorded over three successive seasons ranged from 0 to 11.1%. Parasite development within the host was 6 d. Parasitised male S. quudrutu were frequently multiparasitised with the ormiine tachinid fly Homotrixu alleni Barraclough. From 6 to 24 B. rugg developed in each host, with pupal size significantly affected by the number of larvae per host. The duration of the pupal stage at 15‐25 °C ranged from 13 to 35 d. The sex ratio of emerged flies was 50:50. The previously unknown adult female fly and third‐instar larva of B. rugg are described.