BioControl (2013) 58, 615-623

Keitaro Sugiyama, Takashi Noda, Taro Maeda and Norihide Hinomoto (2013)
Comparison of the host-handling behavior of Eretmocerus mundus on Bemisia tabaci B biotype, Q biotype and Trialeurodes vaporariorum
BioControl 58 (5), 615-623
Abstract: Host-handling behaviors of Eretmocerus mundus (Mercet) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) toward first to fourth instar nymphs of the Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) B and Q biotypes and of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) were compared under laboratory conditions. The host acceptance rates differed among host stages but not among host species or biotypes. In all host species and biotypes, the parasitoids stopped their host-handling behavior before oviposition more often with older hosts. The total host-handling time was longer for the fourth instars than for younger instars, mainly due to the longer oviposition times and probing times. E. mundus showed marking behavior for the B. tabaci B and Q biotypes, but not for T. vaporariorum. In conclusion, E. mundus could parasitize all whitefly biotypes and species used in this study, but both B. tabaci biotypes were more suitable hosts than T. vaporariorum. The younger instars were good oviposition targets in all hosts.
(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): Taro Maeda, Norihide Hinomoto, Takashi Noda

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 biotype MEAM1
	Trialeurodes vaporariorum
	Bemisia tabaci biotype MED
Eretmocerus mundus (parasitoid)	Bemisia tabaci biotype MEAM1
Eretmocerus mundus (parasitoid)	Trialeurodes vaporariorum
Eretmocerus mundus (parasitoid)	Bemisia tabaci biotype MED