The effects of parasitism of braconid wasp, Apanteles obliquae Wilkinson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on the developmental stages and food consumption of larva of Spilosoma obliqua (Walker) were studied in the laboratory. The differences in growth and development of host larvae were marked with regard to ecdysis (moult) and size in parasitised larvae. The reduction in host size due to parasitism was observed in parasitised larvae. S. obliqua larvae that were parasitised consumed significantly less leaf area than the non-parasitised larvae. The greater portion (96.95 sq.cm. of jute leaf) of feeding by non-parasitised larva occurred after the host larva reached the 5th instar stage, whereas feeding by parasitised larva of same age remained at low level (32.54 sq.cm. of jute leaf). Results indicated that larva parasitised at 3rd instar stage cause considerably less damage (one third of healthy larva) to the host plant than non- parasitised larva. BR Nutrition. Life cycle and development. Development. Parasites diseases and disorders. Parasites. Insect parasites. Hosts. Insect hosts. Spilosoma obliqua (Arctiidae): Host; Apanteles obliquae (Braconidae): Parasite. Apanteles obliquae: Lepidopteran hosts, Spilosoma obliqua, Parasite effects on host larval development, growth and food consumption; Spilosoma obliqua: Feeding rate, Larval development, Growth, Hymenopteran parasites, Apanteles obliquae, Parasite effects on larval development, growth and food consumption. ST Insecta, Lepidoptera, Glossata, Heteroneura, Noctuoidea, Arctiidae; Insecta, Hymenoptera, Apocrita, Terebrantia, Ichneumonoidea, Braconidae. Arthropods; Hymenopterans; Insects; Invertebrates; Lepidopterans. none