Journal of Pest Science (2007) 80, 93-97

Kamil Karut (2007)
Host instar suitability of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hom.: Aleyrodidae) for the parasitoid Eretmocerus mundus (Hym.: Aphelinidae)
Journal of Pest Science 80 (2), 93-97
Abstract: Efficient use of parasitoids in pest control depend on the knowledge of the biological relationships between host and parasitoid. Eretmocerus mundus Mercet (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is one the most important natural enemies of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) that is found in fields and greenhouses in Adana, Turkey. Although more studies have been done to determine the relationships between E. mundus and B. tabaci, the differences among strains of E. mundus could have important biological concequences. In this study, biological characteristics of native population of E. mundus parasitization of B. tabaci (Q biotype) were determined using bean plants Phaseolus vulgaris (L.) at a constant temperature of 25 ± 1°C, relative humidity 70 ± 10% and 16:8 (L:D) photoperiod regimen. All B. tabaci nymphal instars were parasitized by E. mundus, but the mean number of daily-parasitized nymphs was highest in the second instars (15.3). In addition, second instar females had the shortest mean development time (15.2 days). Mean development times of parasitoids obtained from first, second, third and fourth B. tabaci instars varied from 15.2 to 16.2 days and 15.2 to 15.9 days for female and male, respectively. Proportion of female (female/male+female) varied from first (0.53) to second (0.34) host instars. Impact of results on potential biological control of B. tabaci was discussed through conservation native natural enemies.
(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): Kamil Karut

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.
	Bemisia tabaci	Beans (Phaseolus)	Turkey
Eretmocerus mundus (parasitoid)	Bemisia tabaci	Beans (Phaseolus)	Turkey