Environmental Entomology (2000) 29, 87-94
A. Eben, B. Benrey, J. Sivinski and M. Aluja (2000)
Host species and host plant effects on preference and performance of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Environmental Entomology 29 (1), 87-94
Abstract: Naive female Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead), a solitary endoparasitoid of tephritid fruit flies, exhibited positive responses toward volatiles of host fruits in olfactometer and wind tunnel bioassays. Although no significant preference for one of the test fruits, mango, Mangifera indica L., or grapefruit, Citrus paradisi Macfaden, was observed, the number of flights in the wind tunnel was higher in the presence of mangos. In the olfactometer trials, parasitoids preferred fly infested over noninfested grapefruits, and infested over noninfested mangos. Reproductive performance bioassays were conducted using Anastrepha ludens (Loew) larvae (Diptera: Tephritidae) reared in grapefruit, orange, mango, or artificial diet, and Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) larvae reared in mango as parasitoid hosts. Parasitoid performance was compared for 2 Anastrepha species and 3 fruit species. Significant effects of fruit fly species and of the diet of fruit fly larvae on longevity, size, and progeny production of D. longicaudata were observed. Anastrepha ludens reared in grapefruit was the best host in terms of offspring longevity, size, and number of female progeny, but parasitoids that developed in A. ludens reared in mango had higher overall fecundity. Anastrepha ludens reared in mango was a better host than A. obliqua in the same fruit. No correlation between parasitoid size and demographic parameters was found. The results of this laboratory study showed that host preference and offspring performance are partially related.
(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): Astrid Eben, Betty Benrey
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation
general biology - morphology - evolution
