Environmental Entomology (1984) 13, 603-606
R.R. Coler, R.G. van Driesche and J.S. Elkinton (1984)
Effect of an oothecal parasitoid, Comperia merceti (Compere) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), on a population of the brownbanded cockroach (Orthoptera: Blattellidae)
Environmental Entomology 13 (2), 603-606
Abstract: The density and age structure of a free-living Supella longipalpa (F.) population were monitored with baited jar traps over a 3-year period in a fly-rearing room. The impact of Comperia merceti (Compere) parasitism on this population was assessed by means of trap hosts. These were cockroach oothecae from a laboratory colony which were placed in the fly-rearing room weekly. After an artificially stimulated rise in cockroach density, percent parasitism in trap hosts increased sharply from trace levels (<1%) to 70 to 90%. Ninety to 120 days after this rise in parasitism, cockroach captures decreased sharply. This decrease began with the smallest nymphal class, followed by medium and large nymphs, and ultimately adults. This pattern of increased parasitism followed by a sharp decline in cockroach density and a progressive change in the population age structure supports the conclusion that C. merceti caused the collapse of the cockroach population.
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Database assignments for author(s): Roy G. Van Driesche
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
control - general
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
population dynamics/epizootiology
inundative/inoculative release
Pest and/or beneficial records:
Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Supella longipalpa | U.S.A. (NE) | |||
Comperia merceti (parasitoid) | Supella longipalpa | U.S.A. (NE) |