The host specificity of the parasitoid wasp Prosierola oblicua (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) on leafroller larvae of Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera) was investigated. During the months of April to July 2007 Hesperiidae-leafroller larvae were sampled from different plant species and samples from the host plants were also taken in Soberania National Park, Panama Province; Rio Grande, Coclé Province and Darién National Park, Darién Province. A total of 31 larvae of Hesperiidae were collected, with or without signs of parasitism from: rice field Oryza sativa (Poaceae), Piper auritum, Piper reticulatum (Piperaceae); Gustavia superba (Lecythidaceae) and Cinnamomum sp. (Lauraceae). Collected larvae were placed in breeding cameras in the laboratory and kept at room temperature. Of those 31 larvae collected, we found a parasitism of 22,6% (7/31) by Hymenoptera and (71,4%) by Diptera. In Darién National Park: one larvae of Quadrus contubernalis (Hesperiidae), from Piper auritum (Piperaceae), was parasitized by Prosierola oblicua (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). In Soberania National Park: one larva of Quadrus cerialis (Hesperiidae), from Piper reticulatum (Piperaceae), was parasitized by Lespesia sp. (Diptera: Tachinidae); one larva of Zera sp. (Hesperiidae), from Cinnamomum sp. (Lauraceae), was parasitized by Prosierola oblicua (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae); four larvae of Entheus sp. (Hesperiidae), from Gustavia superba (Lecythidaceae) we reared three parasitic larvae of Xanthoplimpa aurita (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), and one larva previously injured, was later parasitized by Megaselia sp. (Diptera: Phoridae). The results demonstrate that Prosierola oblicua is not a host-specific parasitoid, but habit-specific when choosing the following leafrolling larvae of Hesperiidae as hosts: Q. contubernalis and Zera sp. The present results confirm the maternal care provided by females of P. oblicua to her young and the 14 days duration of its life cycle.
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