The female reproductive system structures and ovary developmental traits of two parasitoids, Encarsia sophia (Girault & Dodd) and Eretmocerus hayati (Zolnerowich & Rose), of whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) were studied to explain the differences of host handling strategies between these two parasitoid species. The female reproductive system of both En. sophia and Er. hayati each consisted of a pair of ovaries and lateral oviducts, common oviduct, spermatheca, ovipositor and ovipositor sheath. The ovipositor of En. sophia is straight and has an apparently hard and sharply pointed upper valve, while that of Er. hayati is curved, thick-walled, but has a blunt and apparently flexible tip. These features correlated well with the oviposition mechanisms of En. sophia and Er. hayati. Significant difference was found in the number of mature ova between En. sophia and Er. hayati when they emerged. The number of mature ova of both parasitoids increased with the age of adult female when the available nutrition was enough. Both En. sophia and Er. hayati are synovigenic.

Encarsia sophia  /  Eretmocerus hayati  /  female reproductive system  /  ovary development  /  tobacco whitefly