Journal of Insect Behavior (2013) 26, 721-729

Miriam F. Cooperband, Ashley Hartness, Jonathan P. Lelito and Allard A. Cossé (2013)
Landing surface color preferences of Spathius agrili (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)
Journal of Insect Behavior 26 (5), 721-729
Abstract: The color preferences for landing surfaces were examined for Spathius agrili (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitic wasp introduced for biocontrol of emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Lures with the 3-component pheromone blend of male S. agrili were used to activate upwind flight by virgin female S. agrili in a laminar flow wind tunnel. Paper discs with halves of two different colors (combination pairs of black, white, red, yellow, green, or purple), with the pheromone lure in the center, were tested to quantify preferences for landing on one color over another. Females landed preferentially on green, yellow, and white surfaces, and landed the least frequently on red, black, and purple surfaces. Changes in color preferences due to adjacent colors were observed and discussed.
(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): Miriam F. Cooperband, Jonathan P. Lelito

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.
	Agrilus planipennis
Spathius agrili (parasitoid)	Agrilus planipennis