Neotropical Entomology (2003) 32, 97-102

Cristiane D. Pereira and Cecília Lomônaco (2003)
Produção de Formas Aladas em Colônias de Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) por Indução do Parasitóide Diaeretiella rapae (Mclntosh) (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) e Alguns Aspectos Comportamentais da Interação Destas Espécies
[Production of winged morphs in colonies of Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) induced by the parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) and some behavioral aspects of the interaction between these species]
Neotropical Entomology 32 (1), 97-102
Abstract: The objective of this study was to verify whether winged morphs are induced in colonies of Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) by exposure to Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh). Behavioral aspects of the interaction between these species were also described. Aphid colonies were initiated by transferring ten adults to each cabbage plant, kept inside transparent recipients. In the treatment, a parasitoid couple was released inside each recipient-test, and the female was allowed to oviposit freely for 3h; no parasitoids were released in the control recipient. Winged morphs were produced in both conditions, but in the presence of the parasites, their number was significantly higher and they were produced earlier. No significant correlation was obtained between the number of winged individuals and the number of mummies. Parasitoids longevity was 2.3 ± 0.19 days and the parasitation percentage was 20.6 ± 5.21. The increased production of winged morphs in B. brassicae clones in response to the presence of the parasitoid D. rapae can be considered a defense mechanism, because aphids could strategically maintain the clone survivorship, escaping by flight to form a new colony in other plants. Two other types of defense behavior were described: vigorous body shaking and escaping from the parasitoids. During 26h of observation, 20 types of D. rapae behavior were recorded and divided into five categories: self-cleaning, feeding, exploitation, copulation, and oviposition. Direct interactions between these species occur not only during oviposition, but also when the wasp touches the aphids with their antennae and ovipositor.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: Portuguese)
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Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
population dynamics/ epidemiology
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.
	Brevicoryne brassicae
Diaeretiella rapae (parasitoid)	Brevicoryne brassicae