BioControl (2016) 61, 631-638

Yann-David Varennes, Stéphane Boyer and Steve D. Wratten (2016)
Nectar from oilseed rape and floral subsidies enhances longevity of an aphid parasitoid more than does host honeydew
BioControl 61 (6), 631-638
Abstract: Many adult parasitic Hymenoptera consume floral nectar and honeydew, although the latter is in most cases a 'bad meal' compared to floral nectars. Parasitoids of aphids, however, may be well-adapted to consuming honeydew when it is produced by their hosts. The nutritional value of honeydew for this group of parasitoids has often been tested against that of synthetic feeding solutions, but rarely against floral nectar. In the present work, the relative nutritional values of honeydew from the aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer), nectar from two cultivars of oilseed rape (OSR) and nectars from four 'companion' plant species were assessed by testing their effect on the longevity of Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) [Hymenoptera: Braconidae]. Parasitoids fed on nectar from OSR lived longer than those fed on nectars of companion plants, or on water only. Diaeretiella rapae also lived longer when fed OSR nectar than when fed honeydew from M. persicae.
(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): Yann-David Varennes

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
	Brevicoryne brassicae
Diaeretiella rapae (parasitoid)	Brevicoryne brassicae