FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE OF OPIUS CHROMATOMYIAE BELOKOBYLSKIJ and WHARTHON (HYMENOPTERA, EULOPIDAE) PARASITOID ON LEAF MINER, LIRIOMYZA SATIVAE Blanchard (DIPTERA, AGROMYZIDAE)

Opius chromatomyiae Belokobylskij & Wharthon (Hymenoptera: Eulopidae) is one type of parasitoids with its initial existence in Indonesia is dominant in the highlands and parasitizes the leafminer, Liriomyza huidobrensis. Currently, the presence of O. chromatomyiae has been reported to be able to parasitize Liriomyza sativae which is the dominant pest of leafminer in the lowlands. The phenomenon indicates that O. chromatomyiae has potential to control the population of Liriomyza spp. in the highlands and lowlands. One of the potential parameters of parasitoid in regulating the host population in the nature is by determining the functional response of parasitoid on host density. The study was conducted in a greenhouse with an average temperature of 29,8oC and humidity of 78%. Parasitoids were maintained in a cage (20 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm) which already contained the 14 days old red kidney bean plants and invested by of L. sativae larvae instar-3with a density of 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 leafminers. Logistic regression was applied to examine the type of functional response. Non-linear regression was used to estimate the searching time (a) and the handling time of host (Th). Results of the study reveal that the functional response of O. chromatomyiae parasitoid is included in type II. Holling’s disc equation shows that the value of R2 = 0.862 which would increase the handling of O. chromatomyiae host capabilities of 0,862 any time there is an increase of the level of host density. The instantaneous search rate (a) and handling time of host (Th) are 0,862 hours-1and 1,920 hours respectively. Maximum number of larvae that can be parasitized by Holling’sdisc equation as much as 12 larvae/day. The results of this study become the basic information to prepare the control programs of leaf miner, Liriomyza sativae by utilizing O. chromatomyiae as a biological control agent. Keywords: Liriomyza sativae, Opius chromatomyiae, functional response.