Virus-like Particles in the Ovaries of Microctonus aethiopoides Loan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a Parasitoid of Adult Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The morphology of the female reproductive system ofMicroctonus aethiopoidesis described and illustrated, and an ultrastructural examination of the ovaries was carried out. Virus-like particles (VLPs) were initially found in the ovarial epithelial cells of females from pre-adult emergence from the pupal cocoon until at least 5 days after emergence. The particles assembled in the nucleus of the epithelial cells, apparently being synthesizedde novoin association with a putative virogenic stroma, and they moved into the lumen of the ovarioles surrounding the developing eggs. VLPs were also found in some other cells in both male and femaleM. aethiopoides. VLPs have not been found inM. hyperodaeor the New Zealand native speciesM. zealandicus. The function of the VLP and its possible role in potential parasitoid host range determination are discussed.