Ecological Entomology (2021) 46, 100-105

Milos Sevarika, Maria Cristina Foti, Ezio Peri, Stefano Colazza and Eric Wajnberg (2021)
Genetic variation in the behavioural mechanisms involved in the response of the egg parasitoid Trissolcus brochymenae to contact chemical cues left by the pest Murgantia histrionica
Ecological Entomology 46 (1), 100-105
Abstract:
- The ability of parasitoid females to perceive chemical traces left by their hosts is of utmost importance in the host location process. The behaviours involved in such ability have thus most likely been promoted by natural selection in the course of the evolutionary time. For this to happen, however, there must be significant genetic variation in natural populations on which natural selection could act.
- Using the isofemale line method and motion analysis, we detected significant intra-population genetic variation for several walking behaviour traits of the egg parasitoid Trissolcus brochymenae (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) females responding to chemical traces left by its host Murgantia histrionica (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).
- Besides opening new avenues of research on the reproductive strategies, behaviour, and biological control potential of parasitoid wasps, these results also have implications for understanding their life-history evolution in general.
(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): Maria Cristina Foti, Stefano Colazza

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Murgantia histrionica
Trissolcus brochymenae (parasitoid)	Murgantia histrionica