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Immature Stages of Cleptidae

 

          Detailed information on immature stages of Cleptidae (often included in Chrysididae) is being acquired.  However, Clausen (1940) noted that the egg of Cleptes (Fig 131A) is sub elliptical in form with the anterior end widest.  It is 1.0 mm. in length and bears a button-like micropylar structure.

 

          The 1st instar larva (Fig. 131B) has 12 indistinct body segments of equal length, and the caudal end tapers to a rounded point.  The head is large, quadrangular in outline, and not heavily sclerotized and bears conspicuous antennae at the dorsal anterior corners.  The mouth is located ventrally, and the mandibles are small and simple.  There are no integument spines or setae.  Eight pairs of spiracles are present, situated at the anterior margin of the 1st thoracic and on the first 7 abdominal segments.  The first pair is very large, while those on the abdomen are small and inconspicuous.

 

          The mature larva is very robust, glistening white in color, and bears 10 pairs of spiracles.  A distinct parchment-like cocoon (Fig. 131C) is spun within that of the host, and its posterior end is flattened to partition off the host remains and meconium, which are compressed into a mass.

 

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               Fig. 131

 

References:   Please refer to  <biology.ref.htm>, [Additional references may be found at: MELVYL Library ]