Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2008) 127, 55-63
Lian-Sheng Zang and Tong-Xian Liu (2008)
Host-feeding of three parasitoid species on Bemisia tabaci biotype B and implications for whitefly biological control
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 127 (1), 55-63
Abstract: Parasitoids in the genera Encarsia and Eretmocerus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) are important biological control agents of whiteflies through their reproductive as well as host-feeding activities. The feeding capacities of female parasitoids of three species with different reproductive strategies [Encarsia sophia (Girault and Dodd), Encarsia formosa Gahan, and Eretmocerus melanoscutus Zolnerowich and Rose] on their host, sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), were evaluated on cabbage in a single-instar no-choice experiment in the laboratory and a mixed-instar choice experiment in the greenhouse. In both single- and mixed-instar experiments, significant differences in host-feeding capacities were found among the three parasitoid species. Encarsia sophia exhibited superior capacity of host-feeding compared to E. formosa and E. melanoscutus. In the single-instar experiment, parasitoids fed more on younger (smaller) hosts than older (larger) hosts. In the mixed-instar experiments, all three parasitoid species exhibited a clear preference for feeding on older hosts compared to younger hosts. Total number of whitefly nymphs fed on by E. sophia was approximately three times that of the other two parasitoid species. Whitefly mortality accounted for by host-feeding by E. sophia was up to 59.7%, and, thus, equivalent to parasitization. The significance of host-feeding of E. sophia for biological control of B. tabaci is discussed.
(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): Tong Xian Liu, Lian-Sheng Zang
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
