Journal of Applied Entomology - Zeitschrift für angewandte Entomologie (1997) 121, 399-405

F.A.N. van Alebeek and A. van Huis (1997)
Host location in stored cowpea by the egg parasitoid Uscana lariophaga Steffan (Hym., Trichogrammatidae)
Journal of Applied Entomology - Zeitschrift für angewandte Entomologie 121 (7), 399-405
Abstract: A good spatial distribution and an efficient host location behaviour are prerequisites for successful biological control of stored product pests. These attributes were investigated in the egg parasitoid Uscana lariophaga Steffan (Hym., Trichogrammatidae), foraging for clusters of Callosobrachus maculatus Fab. (Col. Bruchidae) eggs in experimental cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp.) storage containers. Females have an innate tendency to move upwards in a cowpea seed stock. Host clusters above the release point have an increased chance to be found by U. lariophaga compared to clusters below the site of release, but still, significant numbers of clusters, below the release point are also being visited and parasitized. In host clusters with more than 50 eggs, parasitoids are arrested and may spend their entire egg load or foraging time, leaving other clusters unexploited. Host clusters with more eggs are more frequently parasitized, irrespective of the volume of clusters or the egg density and distribution within those clusters. This increased chance of detection is thought to be the result of an increase in egg odour concentration or in the volume of the odour sphere around clusters with more eggs. This hypothesis was tested in a tube diffusion olfactometer.
(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): Arnold van Huis

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.
	Callosobruchus maculatus	Stored legumes
	Decellebruchus atrolineatus	Stored legumes
Uscana lariophaga (parasitoid)	Callosobruchus maculatus	Stored legumes
Uscana lariophaga (parasitoid)	Decellebruchus atrolineatus	Stored legumes