Environmental Entomology (1982) 11, 1151-1153

T.G. Teague and J.R. Phillips (1982)
Kaironomal activity of Elcar and its effect upon host searching of Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Environmental Entomology 11 (6), 1151-1153
Abstract: The presence of a host-searching stimulant (kairomone) for Microplitis croceipes, a braconid parasite of Heliothis spp. in the commercial formulation and four preformulation stages of the Heliothis NPV, Elcar was investigated. A petri dish bioassay was used to determine kairomonal activity of Elcar at three concentrations (1.0, 0.5, and 0.1g in 100 ml of water). 'Cremed' diseased Heliothis larvae, the supernatant resulting from centrifugation of 'cremed' larvae, formulated inert ingredients, and purified Heliothis NPV were also bioassayed at a concentration of 1 g in 100 ml of water. There was no searching response to the purified NPV, inert additives, or the lowest concentration of Elcar, but responses were observed to the high and medium concentrations of Elcar, the supernatant, and the 'cremed' larvae. These data indicate the presence of kairomonal substance(s) in Elcar, and suggest that virus purification during the formulation process may reduce the potential kairomone activity.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)

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.
	Helicoverpa zea
Glabromicroplitis croceipes (parasitoid)	Helicoverpa zea
Helicoverpa zea single nucleopolyhedrovirus (entomopathogen)	Helicoverpa zea