Journal of Economic Entomology (2014) 107, 2005-2022

Giovanni Benelli, Russell H. Messing, Mark G. Wright, Giulia Giunti, Nickolas G. Kavallieratos and Angelo Canale (2014)
Cues triggering mating and host-seeking behavior in the aphid parasitoid Aphidius colemani (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae): Implications for biological control
Journal of Economic Entomology 107 (6), 2005-2022
Abstract: Aphidius colemani Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) is a pan-tropical, broadly oligophagous, solitary endoparasitoid of many aphids of economic importance. Here, we review current knowledge about this important biological control agent, with a special focus on the physical and chemical cues triggering mating and host-seeking behavior. First, we focus on femaleborne olfactory cues evoking courtship in A. colemani males, as well as on the relationship between male mating performance and quality of the host species. Second, we examine how A. colemani females forage for hosts and assess their suitability, using both aphid-borne kairomones and host-related physical cues. Third, we review A. colemani-based biological control approaches, outlining how knowledge of its reproductive behavioral ecology may enhance biological control of aphid pests. Concepts for future biocontrol programs are outlined, including 1) use of sex attractant dispensers for monitoring, 2) mass-rearing optimization based on knowledge of mate-finding strategies and sexually selected traits, 3) deployment of aphid-borne foraging kairomones as field lures to attract parasitoids into infested agro-ecosystems, 4) use of sensitization or associative learning practices to optimize efficacy of mass-reared wasps.
(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): Giovanni Benelli, Nickolas G. Kavallieratos, Mark G. Wright, Angelo Canale

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Aphidius colemani (parasitoid)