Applied Entomology and Zoology (2014) 49, 511-518

Takayuki Mitsunaga, Koukichi Nagasaka and Seiichi Moriya (2014)
Development and parasitization of an aphid's secondary parasitoid, Dendrocerus laticeps (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae), on Aphidius colemani (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Applied Entomology and Zoology 49 (4), 511-518
Abstract: Banker-plant systems using Aphidius species have been employed to control pest aphids in greenhouses growing eggplant and sweet pepper in Japan. However, a strong negative correlation between the occurrence of secondary parasitoids and aphid-control success by this system was reported by Nagasaka et al. (2010). To control secondary parasitoid populations, detailed knowledge of their ecological characteristics is needed. In this paper, the development and parasitization ability of Dendrocerus laticeps (Hedicke) (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae), a major secondary ectoparasitoid of Aphidius species in Japan, were examined under 25 °C laboratory conditions. The maximum female longevity was about 11 days when honeydew was available. Parasitization occurred only on mummified aphids, and the age of mummified aphids did not influence the ecological value of offspring. The maximum parasitization ability was 18.9 hosts/day estimated by Holling's disc equation. Possible lifetime fecundity was 100.35. The intrinsic rate of natural increase estimated by the bootstrap method ranged from 0.211 to 0.321, depending on the assumptions made about larval mortality. The countermeasures for avoiding the negative impacts of D. laticeps in a banker-plant system include the development of a refuge for mummified aphids and increasing the temperature around the banker plants.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Takayuki Mitsunaga, Seiichi Moriya, Koukichi Nagasaka

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.
	Myzus persicae		Japan
Aphidius colemani (parasitoid)			Japan