Effects of Pollens on Fecundity and Longevity of Adult Scambus buolianae (Htg.) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Experiments indicated that pollen does not increase the length of life of the males of Scambus buolianae. Various pollens significantly increased either fecundity or longevity, or both, of the females. The greatest fecundity and longevity resulted from the addition of wild carrot and tulip pollen, Goldenrod, oriental poppy, or snapdragon pollen improved fecundity, while birch and ragweed pollen affected longevity only. Parasites have a greater chance of establishment in areas where they can find a rich vegetation of nectar- and pollen-producing plants, than in areas lacking such flowering plants.