Induction of Diapause in Rogas indiscretus1, a Larval Parasite of the Gypsy Moth, Lymantria dispar2

Induction of diapause in Rogas indiscretus Reardon, a solitary braconid endoparasite of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), was a function of photoperiod and mediated by temperature. At 14-h photophase no diapause occurred in any of 4 temperature regimes. Under 8- and 11-h photophase the percentage of diapause increased with decreasing temperature. Diapause is believed to be regulated by developing R. indiscretus within hosts. Each of 3 R. indiscretus colonies diapaused including one which had been colonized since 1967. Thus, continual laboratory colonization of R. indiscretus did not appear to change the diapause response.