International Journal of Pest Management (2005) 51, 321-324

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Samina Rahat, Geoff M. Gurr, Steve D. Wratten, Jianhua Mo and Robyn Neeson (2005)
Effect of plant nectars on adult longevity of the stinkbug parasitoid, Trissolcus basalis
International Journal of Pest Management 51 (4), 321-324
Abstract: The egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is an important biological control agent of stinkbugs worldwide. Although honey has been used as adult food in culturing the parasitoid, no previous studies have explored the potential for maximising its fitness by provision of plant nectars in conservation biological control. In laboratory experiments, we measured the longevity of adult T. basalis females provided with each of 10 nectar-bearing flowering plant species: Lobularia maritima L., Brassica napus L., Tagetes patula L., Ocimum basilicum L., Fagopyrum esculentum Moench., Cosmos bipennatus Cav., Calendula arvensis L., Coriandrum sativum L., Tropaeolum majus L. and Phacelia tanacetifolia Bentham. Longevity was greatest (33 days) on flowering T. patula shoots and significantly lower on shoots of this species from which the inflorescence had been removed (8 days). Of the other plant species, only L. maritima flowers did not enhance longevity. These results indicate that adults of T. basalis benefit from access to floral nectar and also suggest plant species that merit field testing to identify species best suited to enhancing the efficacy of this parasitoid in conservation biological control.
(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): Geoff M. Gurr, Jianhua Mo

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


Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial Pest/Disease/Weed Crop/Product Country Quarant.


Trissolcus basalis (parasitoid)