none The effectiveness of controlling agents entirely depends on the quality and nature of food but the failure to recongnise a suitable food for the parasitoids appears a possible reason for unsuccessful attempts in biological control. Thus nutrition inevitably plays an important role in augmenting natural enemies of pests. Techniques; Care in captivity; Reproduction; Life cycle and development; Development Cotesia flavipes (Braconidae); Diet in captivity; Longevity relationship in newly emerged adult males & females; Sexual dimorphism; Longevity differences between adult males & females fed on various diets; Longevity; Newly emerged adults, analysis & sex differences on different diets