Journal of Applied Entomology (2011) 135, 184-194

A.-M. Dulaurent, J.-P. Rossi, C. Deborde, A. Moing, P. Menassieu and H. Jactel (2011)
Honeydew feeding increased the longevity of two egg parasitoids of the pine processionary moth
Journal of Applied Entomology 135 (3), 184-194
Abstract: The longevity of a generalist (Ooencyrtus pityocampae) and a specialist (Baryscapus servadeii) egg parasitoid of the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) was compared under laboratory feeding conditions including water and honeydew from aphid species growing on maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) or pedunculate oak (Quercus robur).
The longevity of both parasitoid species increased when specimens were fed with honeydew. This increase was larger for the generalist (3.7, 32.0 and 38.0 days) than for the specialist (3.0, 23.3 and 21.5 days) parasitoid species when fed with water, oak and pine aphid honeydew respectively. The phenology of the specialist species B. servadeii is well-adapted with its host availability with or without food supply. The generalist species O. pityocampae could overlap its host emergence curve during 14.0-20.0 days when fed with oak and pine aphid honeydew respectively, vs. no overlap when no supplementary food was provided. Analysis of honeydew composition indicated that sugars and amino acids may have distinct effects on parasitoid longevity.
(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): Hervé Jactel, Jean-Pierre Rossi

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Thaumetopoea pityocampa	Pine (Pinus)
Ooencyrtus pityocampae (parasitoid)	Thaumetopoea pityocampa	Pine (Pinus)
Baryscapus servadeii (parasitoid)	Thaumetopoea pityocampa	Pine (Pinus)