Objective Agrothereutes minousubae Nakanishi (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) is a specific ectoparasitoid which attacks the prepupae and pupae of Pryeria sinica Moore (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae), an important insect pest of garden plants, causing high mortality of the host species. To make use of this potential biological control agent, it’s critical to study the ontogeny and reproductive characteristics of A. minousubae.

Method The ontogeny, reproductive system and reproductive behavior of A. minousubae, which was a new record species in Henan Province, were systematically determined using field collection and indoor rearing at 24 ± 1 ℃.

Result It took 48 to 50 hours for the wasp to complete embryonic development. The larvae had 4 instars. The prepupa and pupa stages undergo drastic morphological changes and pigment deposition. The adults had obvious sexual dimorphism, and one generation lasts for 23 to 27 days. A female usually had 9～11 polytrophic ovarioles. There was a pair of testes with long and thin vas deferens in male internal reproductive system. Male wasps exhibited wing fanning and antennal drumming during courtship behavior when exposed to females. Males played a dominant role in mating behavior. Males copulated more than one time while female usually copulated only once in their life time. A female deposited 7 eggs daily, deposited about 20 eggs in its lifetime, and had superparasitism behavior.

Conclusion A. minousubae is a synovigenic ectoparasitoid with relatively large egg and strong parasitic ability. This parasitoid has great value of protection and utilization. The study can provide the basis for better protection and utilization of this wasp against P. sinica.