Question

Parasitoid, Aenasius phenacocci (Hymenoptera) on cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis is:

• A. Primary parasitoid
• B. Hyperparasitoid
• C. Gregarious parasitoid
• D. Adelpho parasitoid

Hint:

Gregarious parasitoids produce many offspring per host, unlike solitary primary parasitoids.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Hyperparasitoid and adelphoparasitoid describe host relationships that don't fit this species.
Step 2: Aenasius phenacocci lays several eggs in one mealybug host, producing multiple adults from that single host.
Step 3: Many offspring emerging from one host defines a gregarious parasitoid.
Step 4: Correct answer: Gregarious parasitoid.