Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (1997) 82, 129-133

Emilio Guerrieri (1997)
Flight behaviour of Encarsia formosa in response to plant and host stimuli
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 82 (2), 129-133
Abstract: The flight behaviour of Encarsia formosa Gahan (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), a parasitoid of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) has been studied in response to the following natural components: bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) infested with T. vaporariorum (PHC, plant host complex), host damaged bean plant from which whiteflies were removed (HDP, host damaged plant), T. vaporariorum third instar larvae (H, host), uninfested bean plant (P, plant) and T. vaporariorum empty pupal cases (EPC, empty pupal cases). A combination of chemical and visual stimuli is necessary in host location from a distance by E. formosa and seems to deeply affect the dispersal of this parasitoid. The presence of host (PHC, H) or of its parts (EPC) led to a substantial increase of oriented flights suggesting the occurrence of host derived chemicals. At a closer range, a combination of visual and chemical stimuli deriving from all the components of the plant host complex elicited the transition flying-landing and the following landing on the source.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Emilio Guerrieri

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Trialeurodes vaporariorum	Beans (Phaseolus)	Italy
Encarsia formosa (parasitoid)	Trialeurodes vaporariorum	Beans (Phaseolus)	Italy