Biocontrol Science and Technology (2014) 24, 662-679

Nicola A. Irvin, Javier Suarez Espinosa and Mark S. Hoddle (2014)
Maximum realised lifetime parasitism and occurrence of time limitation in Gonatocerus ashmeadi (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) foraging in citrus orchards
Biocontrol Science and Technology 24 (6), 662-679
Abstract: The relationship between body size (hind tibia length), <12 h egg load, wing wear and parasitoid age was used to estimate realised lifetime parasitism of recently dead Gonatocerus ashmeadi collected in a citrus orchard. Under prevailing field conditions and methodology assumptions, it was estimated that female G. ashmeadi lived on average for 183 ± 17 degree-days, parasitised a total of 87 ± 9 Homalodisca vitripennis eggs, and died with 34 ± 5 eggs remaining in the ovaries. Only 17% of dead G. ashmeadi died with no mature eggs suggesting that 83% of G. ashmeadi were not egg limited at time of death. Estimates of realised lifetime parasitism for female G. ashmeadi under prevailing field conditions in July and August in a southern California citrus orchard indicated that time of year had a significant effect on reproductive output. Additionally, live G. ashmeadi captured daily during June through August 2006 had body size, egg load and wing wear recorded to detect possible monthly changes in parasitoid age and egg load. Foraging G. ashmeadi captured alive in June were older and oviposited more eggs in the field compared with August. Only 0.5% of live G. ashmeadi were captured with no mature eggs in their ovaries indicating that the vast majority of live G. ashmeadi were not egg limited.
(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): Nicola A. Irvin, Mark S. Hoddle

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.
	Homalodisca vitripennis	Citrus (genus)	U.S.A. (SW)
Cosmocomoidea ashmeadi (parasitoid)	Homalodisca vitripennis	Citrus (genus)	U.S.A. (SW)