Helicoverpa zea; HYMENOPTERAN-PARASITES; Ichneumon promissorius; Diapausing pupal hosts acceptance & use; Parasite developmental response; ARKANSAS-; Hymenopteran parasites acceptance, use & response to diapausing pupae Ichneumon promissorius; DEVELOPMENT-; Response to diapausing lepidopteran hosts; LEPIDOPTERAN-HOSTS; Helicoverpa zea; Diapausing pupae acceptance; ARKANSAS-; Diapausing lepidopteran hosts acceptance, use & developmental response This study was conducted to assess a possible overwintering strategy of Ichneumon promissorius (Erichson), an imported pupal parasitoid of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). This parasitoid's host diapauses in the soil as the method of overwintering. Diapausing hosts were accepted and used by I. promissorius. Development time of immature I. promissorius was related directly to the time held at 15 degrees C and was not related to the diapause status of the host. H. zea diapause did not induce diapause in I. promissorius. This study suggests that if diapausing hosts are encountered in the field, they may be successfully used by active mated I. promissorius females.