Journal of Applied Entomology (2004) 128, 11-16

E.M. Hegazi and L.M.Z. Abo Abd-Allah (2004)
Ovipositional discrimination by Microplitis rufiventris females between healthy and granulosis virus-infected Spodoptera littoralis larvae
Journal of Applied Entomology 128 (1), 11-16
Abstract: Ovipositional choice tests by Microplitis rufiventris females (Hym., Braconidae) between granulosis virus-infected (GVI) and non-infected (NI) Spodoptera littoralis larvae (Lep., Noctuidae), were assessed using discriminatory methods for re-isolating the NI and virus-infected hosts after removing the female parasitoid. When M. rufiventris females were given a choice between NI and GVI S. littoralis hosts, the adult females exhibited marked preference (P < 0.01) for the NI (i.e. higher quality) hosts. In this case, M. rufiventris females and S. littoralis GV (SlGV) did not significantly compete for the same type of host larvae and are, generally, compatible. However, when the choice was given between two low qualities of S. littoralis hosts, i.e. virus-free previously parasitized hosts and viral-infected hosts a significant preference (P < 0.01) of the parasitoid females for the GVI larvae was observed. In this case, the parasitoid would be at a disadvantage when competing with GV for the same host. However, the parasitoid could be used as an additional tool for the dissemination of biocontrol viruses within different pest populations, i.e. hosts other than S. littoralis. Importantly, the results showed different strategies of parasitoid female in egg-laying management. When M. rufiventris female was given a choice between healthy and SlGVI hosts, the female deposited more eggs than when she was given a choice between two low qualities of host larvae. The results of the study may have implications in pest management strategies using M. rufiventris and SlGV against S. littoralis larvae.
(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): Esmat M. Hegazi

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

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Spodoptera littoralis		Egypt
Spodoptera littoralis GV (entomopathogen)	Spodoptera littoralis		Egypt
Microplitis rufiventris (parasitoid)	Spodoptera littoralis		Egypt