Ecphylus silesiacus (Ratz.) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), an important elm bark beetle parasitoid

Summary 1 Ecphylus silesiacus (Ratz.) (Hym. Braconidae) parasitizes larvae of elm bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) occurring in thin bark. Pteleobius kraatzi (Eichh.), Scolytus pygmaeus (Fab.), Scolytus multistriatus (Marsh) and Scolytus ensifer (Eichh.) are the most suitable hosts. Scolytus scolytus (Fab.) occurring in thicker bark, is not such a suitable host for E. silesiacus. Ecphylus silesiacus only parasitized this species in bark forks. 2 Under experimental conditions, P. kraatzi produced the largest number of elm bark beetle adults per maternal gallery and had the longest development period, while S. scolytus produced the smallest number of adults and had the shortest development period. 3 Ecphylus silesiacus had the lowest reproduction, the shortest development period and the least favourable sexual ratio, on S. scolytus larvae, and the highest production, the longest developmental period and the most favourable sexual ratio on P. kraatzi and S. pygmaeus larvae. 4 Ecphylus silesiacus adults fed with Parker's diet and the nectar of the melliferous plant Daucus carota L. (Umbelliferae), lived longer, parasitized a greater percentage of S. pygmaeus larvae, and had a significant offspring production compared with adults without additional diet.