Journal of Pest Science (2017) 90, 649-658
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Loss of host fidelity in highly inbred populations of the parasitoid wasp Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Journal of Pest Science 90 (2), 649-658
Abstract: Inbreeding frequently reduces the fitness of organisms, but little is known about how this phenomenon can affect the biological control. Host fidelity provides an adaptive advantage to aphid parasitoids, allowing females to find their aphid host more quickly in heterogeneous environments. This trait is mediated by the learning of signals, mainly chemical cues emitted from the host in which parasitoids developed (natal). This article is aimed at studying whether host fidelity can be altered after many generations of inbreeding reproduction in caged laboratory populations, for which host preference and fitness parameters were measured in the parasitoid wasp Aphidius ervi. Also, the effect of the natal/non-natal hosts was studied, using parasitoids originated from the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) and the grain aphid (Sitobion avenae). We observed a loss of host fidelity in the studied A. ervi populations, irrespective of their natal aphid host, which contrasts with previous reports showing preference for natal hosts in outbred laboratory populations. The loss of host fidelity is discussed in terms of the origin of populations; the sex ratio was strongly biased toward males and long-time maintenance under laboratory conditions. Our results highlight the need for controlling the genetic diversity of caged parasitoids before they are released into fields, as a long period of inbreeding could negatively affect the biological control.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Christian C. Figueroa, Claudio C. Ramirez, Blas Lavandero
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
rearing/culturing/mass production
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acyrthosiphon pisum | ||||
| Sitobion avenae | ||||
| Aphidius ervi (parasitoid) | Acyrthosiphon pisum | |||
| Aphidius ervi (parasitoid) | Sitobion avenae |
