Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 July 2009
(1) Up to 35 per cent, of adult Dysdercus nigrofasciatus from a heavily infested late cotton crop at Barberton were found to be parasitised by Tachinid larvae at the end of the season.
(2) The predominant Tachinid species was Alophora nasalis; Bogosilla fasciata was present in smaller numbers, and appears to be more common in regions of higher rainfall.
(3) The development of the Tachinid larva within the stainer was a protracted process under local winter conditions, the larval period of A. nasalis being of the order of 2–3 months, and parasitised stainers were correspondingly long-lived.
(4) The possible economic significance of the parasites is discussed.