Journal of Insect Behavior (2002) 15, 1-12

Komi Agboka, Fritz Schulthess, A. Chabi-Olaye, Ibraim Labo, Saka Gounou and Homa Smith (2002)
Self-, intra-, and interspecific host discrimination in Telenomus busseolae Gahan and T. isis Polaszek (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), sympatric egg parasitoids of the African cereal stem borer Sesamia calamistis Hampson (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Journal of Insect Behavior 15 (1), 1-12
Abstract: Oviposition behavior, intra- and interspecific host discrimination, and super- and multiparasitism by the scelionids Telenomus busseolae and T. isis were studied using batches of eggs of the noctuid stalk borer Sesamia calamistis as the host. Both Telenomus species were able to discern eggs already parasitized. As a result, self-superparasitism was only 4.0% for T. busseolae and 5.8% for T. isis. Likewise, intraspecific superparasitism was avoided by both species and was significantly higher for T. busseolae than T. isis, and higher when parasitized eggs were offered immediately (0 h) and after 48 h than after 24 h; apparently, the recognition of parasitized eggs at 24 and 48 h was based on the presence of parasitoid larvae rather than a specific marking substance. Multiparasitism was avoided if the female had a choice between unparasitized and parasitized eggs. In a choice experiment, it was 10.2 and 2.5% for T. busseolae and T. isis, respectively. In a nonchoice experiment, multiparasitism did not vary between species and time treatment; it was low, varying between 9.6 and 24.1%. In the 0-h treatment, T. busseolae always outcompeted T. isis, accounting for 63.4 or 91.7% of the offspring, when T. isis or T. busseolae, respectively, was the first species. In the 24-h treatment, the first species emerged more often than the second did but the host egg mortality, i.e., eggs from which neither borer larvae nor parasitoid emerged, was >40%. Whereas T. busseolae is ubiquitous in Africa, T. isis has never been reported from eastern Africa, and it has been proposed for introduction against the prevailing noctuid pest Bussoela fusca. Based on earlier life table and host suitability studies and on the present findings, it is concluded that T. isis would establish in the midaltitudes but not the highlands of eastern Africa.
(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): Fritz Schulthess, Adenirin Chabi-Olaye, Komi Agboka, Saka Gounou

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
genetical engin./transgenic plants
classical biocontrol/new introduction

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Sesamia calamistis	Maize/corn (Zea mays)
Telenomus isis (parasitoid)	Sesamia calamistis	Maize/corn (Zea mays)
Telenomus busseolae (parasitoid)	Sesamia calamistis	Maize/corn (Zea mays)