Attraction of the Larval Parasitoid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spintherus dubius</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) to Feces Volatiles from the Adult <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apion</Emphasis> Weevil Host

The behavioral response of the larval parasitoid Spintherus dubius (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) to volatile compounds derived from its Apion weevil hosts was investigated in two-choice bioassays. Odor source candidates were the larval and adult stages of weevils, clover flowers, and feces from adult weevils. Despite S. dubius being a larval parasitoid, the odor of weevil larvae isolated from the clover flowers was not attractive to female parasitoids. Surprisingly, S. dubius females were instead attracted by the odor from the feces of adult weevils. The female parasitoids were similarly attracted to the feces produced by the two main hosts, the red clover weevil (A. trifolii) and the white clover weevil (A. fulvipes). Chemical analysis of the volatile composition of feces produced by the two hosts revealed qualitatively similar odor profiles, correlating with the observed attraction by the parasitoid towards both odor sources. Some of the identified volatile compounds are commonly present in clover plant headspace fractions and may function as a kairomone to facilitate orientation by S. dubius to Apion-infested clover flowers. Larval and adult weevils were not attractive for parasitoid females, whereas, for the white clover weevil-plant association, infested flowers were highly attractive. These data show the use by the clover weevil parasitoid of an alternative source of olfactory information for locating its host.     

Infochemical-mediated preference behavior of the parasitoid Microctonus hyperodae when searching for its adult weevil hosts

Infochemicals are the most important cues used by parasitoids for host location. The attractiveness of infochemicals in a tritrophic context is expected to be determined by the degree of specialization of the parasitoid and its host(s). Microctonus hyperodae Loan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is an oligophagous parasitoid that attacks adult Curculionidae of the Brachycerinae subfamily, especially Listronotus bonariensis Kuschel, on Gramineae. In 1996, a new host–parasitoid association between the carrot weevil Listronotus oregonensis LeConte and M. hyperodae was created in the laboratory. In this study, the infochemicals used by M. hyperodae when searching for its adult weevil hosts were determined using a Y‐shaped olfactometer. Three curculionid species (L. oregonensis, Listronotus sparsus Say, and Neydus flavicaudis Boheman) and one bruchid species [Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius)], and their feces, were tested. It was expected that hosts phylogenetically and ecologically close to L. bonariensis would be more attractive than species less related but in fact, M. hyperodae responded only to L. oregonensis and its feces. When feces and host insects were tested separately, M. hyperodae responded to the odors emitted by L. oregonensis adults but not to their feces, suggesting that most of the kairomones came from the host itself. Host plants were also tested, but M. hyperodae responded neither to Lolium multiflorum Lamark (Gramineae) nor to Daucus carota L. (Umbelliferae) leaves.     

The egg parasitoid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Telenomus euproctidis</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) uses sex pheromone released by immobile female tussock moth <Emphasis Type="Italic">Orgyia postica</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) as kairomone

Egg parasitoids Telenomus euproctidis Wilcox (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) were attracted to egg masses laid by wingless immobile female Orgyia postica (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). Virgin females, a solvent extract of pheromone glands, and a synthetic sex pheromone, (6Z,9Z,11S,12S)-11,12-epoxyhenicosa-6,9-diene (posticlure), also attracted this parasitoid in the field, demonstrating that T. euproctidis uses the sex pheromone of female Org. postica as a kairomone to locate host eggs.     

The Response Specificity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichogramma</Emphasis> Egg Parasitoids towards Infochemicals during Host Location

Parasitoids are confronted with many different infochemicals of their hosts and food plants during host selection. Here, we investigated the effect of kairomones from the adult host Pieris brassicae and of cues present on Brussels sprout plants infested by P. brassicae eggs on the behavioral response of the egg parasitoid Trichogramma evanescens. Additionally, we tested whether the parasitoid’s acceptance of P. brassicae eggs changes with different host ages. The wasps did not discriminate between olfactory cues from mated and virgin females or between mated females and males of P. brassicae. T. evanescens randomly climbed on the butterflies, showing a phoretic behavior without any preference for a certain sex. The parasitoid was arrested on leaf parts next to 1-day-old host egg masses. This arrestment might be due to cues deposited during oviposition. The wasps parasitized host eggs up to 3 days old equally well. Our results were compared with former studies on responses by T .brassicae showing that T. evanescens makes less use of infochemicals from P. brassicae than T. brassicae.     

Fitness and life history parameters of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptomastix epona</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudaphycus flavidulus</Emphasis>, two parasitoids of the obscure mealybug <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudococcus viburni</Emphasis>

Fitness and life table parameters of two endoparasitoids of the obscure mealybug Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret), the solitary Leptomastix epona (Walker) and the gregarious Pseudaphycus flavidulus (Brèthes), were examined in relation to temperature and host size with a view to determine the efficacy of the parasitoids as biocontrol agents of the pest. Three temperature levels (21°C, 26°C and 31°C) and two host sizes classes (small, which mostly comprised third instar nymphs and large, which consisted of female adults) were studied. The lower developmental threshold and thermal constant of the host and the parasitoids were found similar so the coincidence of pest and parasitoids is likely. The rate of development of the parasitoids increased with a linear trend as the temperature increased from 21°C to 31°C. Temperature had a significant effect on mummification in both parasitoid species and on successful parasitism by P. flavidulus. Host size had a significant effect on the mummification caused by L. epona and on the proportion of the male offspring which emerged as well as on the successful parasitism by P. flavidulus. Life table parameters of the parasitoids were estimated in small and large hosts at 26°C in the laboratory. Both parasitoids achieved a greater intrinsic rate of natural increase and gross reproductive rate in addition to a shorter generation and doubling time in large mealybugs compared with small ones. Consequently, large hosts are expected to have a higher impact on the rise of the parasitoids population and the potential of the parasitoids to control the mealybug population improves with the increase of host size. Handling Editor: Torsen Meiners.     

Leaf nutrient levels and the spatio-temporal distributions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plutella xylostella</Emphasis> and its larval parasitoids <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diadegma insulare</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microplitis plutellae</Emphasis> in canola

Seasonal distribution patterns of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), and its principal parasitoids Diadegma insulare (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and Microplitis plutellae (Muesebeck) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were investigated over three site-years in commercial fields of canola (Brassica napus L.) in southern Alberta, Canada. The sampling of P. xylostella, D. insulare, and M. plutellae from points arranged in grid patterns, together with the mapping and analysis of their spatial distributions over time, generated a detailed picture of the pattern of crop infestation by the herbivore and its parasitoids. Plutella xylostella exhibited significant aggregations on different scales most often when its host plants were in early flowering. Diadegma insulare adults exhibited significant aggregated distributions during early flowering and distributions subsequently became more uniform as the wasps moved into the crop later in the season. However, M. plutellae distributions were aggregated in mid flowering in only one site-year. The close spatial associations between densities of D. insulare and P. xylostella indicated that host abundance was the main determinant of parasitoid distribution patterns. Spatial distributions of nutrient contents in leaf tissue and their spatial associations with the herbivore and parasitoids were also investigated. Significant spatial associations existed between certain nutrients (e.g. nitrogen, sulfur, and potassium) and P. xylostella distributions. Sulfur exhibited a positive effect on the distributions of D. insulare but not of M. plutellae. We observed similar relationships between nutrients and the distribution of P. xylostella parasitoids as for nutrients and P. xylostella, but these relationships lacked consistency and may be the results of the spatial associations between the parasitoids and their hosts. Aggregated distributions of adults and larvae of P. xylostella hold promise for spatially targeted insecticidal applications as a means for reducing the environmental impact of insecticides on nontarget and beneficial species in canola agroecosystems.     

Putative Host Volatiles Used by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Habrobracon hebetor</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to Locate Larvae of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plodia interpunctella</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a post-harvest pest of grains, milled and processed food, processing plants, warehouses and bakeries. The parasitoid, Habrobracon hebetor (Say) is among the most important natural enemies of Pyralidae infesting stored grains and grain products. Many parasitoids use semiochemicals originating from their hosts, or host’s habitat as cues to locate hosts, hosts’ food or habitat. The authors used Y-tube and four-way olfactometers to assay responses to stimuli with the moth host and thereby understand the role of host-associated semiochemicals in host location by H. hebetor. Responses of mated parasitoid females were assayed to the following stimuli: P. interpunctella sex pheromone, female adults, larvae, or hexane extracts of residue of the rearing medium. Generally, host-related odor sources generated stimuli that elicited better responses than those to blank controls. Previous exposure to odor sources from the host shortened latency periods and response times compared to naïve females. Odors emanating from live moth larvae elicited the strongest responses. When responses from the four odor sources were compared in a four-way olfactometer, it was confirmed that volatiles from larval moths elicited the strongest attraction to the parasitoid. The involvement of host-specific chemical cues in both long and short range host location by female parasitoid is discussed.     

Reproductive performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nesolynx thymus</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) as influenced by host (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Musca domestica</Emphasis>) size

An investigation was conducted to understand the influence of host size on the reproductive performance of Nesolynx thymus, an ecto-pupal parasitoid of the uzi fly, Exorista bombycis, inflicting 10–20% loss to silkworm crops in the southern silk producing states of India. Two day-old adults of N. thymus were allowed to parasitize pupae of M. domestica, categorized into big and small at a parasitoid-host ratio of 1:20. After parasitoid adult eclosion, data on parasitization rate, developmental duration, male, female and total adult recovery per pupa and per female, sex ratio, adult size and adult longevity were recorded. The performance of first generation adults as influenced by host size was also recorded by allowing the first generation adults to parasitize three day-old pupae of E. bombycis. The parameters female and total progeny production per female, sex ratio, longevity, body length and wing span of males, females, head width of male, and abdomen length of female increased significantly with host size. No impact of host size was observed on performance of first generation adults.     

Host Age Preference Behavior in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphidius ervi</Emphasis> Haliday (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae)

Many parasitoid species have preference for certain stages of hosts to parasitize but the underlying behavioral mechanisms of such preference are still poorly understood, making it difficult to evaluate host-parasitoid interactions and their effects on the success of biological control programs. Here, we report our work on a parasitoid Aphidius ervi Haliday on the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris). We show that with the increase of host age, female parasitoids are more likely to encounter and to attack their hosts but the hosts develop increasingly greater defensive capabilities. Encounter almost always triggers attack attempt; however, increasing attack attempts do not proportionally lead to ovipositor probings and increasing ovipositor probings do not proportionally translate into ovipositions. These asymmetric responses may be interpreted as that A. ervi females prefer to parasitize older aphids for higher fitness return but those aphids can better defend themselves, and as a consequence, A. ervi females may achieve the highest gain by attacking aphids of intermediate ages. We suggest that A. ervi females forage in a manner consistent with the optimal foraging theory, trading off host handling time with fitness returns.     

Close-Range Host Searching Behavior of the Stemborer Parasitoids <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cotesia sesamiae</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dentichasmias busseolae</Emphasis>: Influence of a Non-Host Plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melinis minutiflora</Emphasis>

Studies were conducted on the host searching behavior of the larval parasitoid Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and the pupal parasitoid Dentichasmias busseolae Heinrich (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), both of which attack lepidopteran (Crambidae, Noctuidae) cereal stemborers. The behavior of D. busseolae was observed in a diversified habitat that consisted of stemborer host plants (maize, Zea mays L. and sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L). Moench (Poaceae)) and a non-host plant (molasses grass, Melinis minutiflora Beauv. (Poaceae)), while C. sesamiae was observed separately on host plants and molasses grass. In previous olfactometer studies, C. sesamiae was attracted to molasses grass volatiles while hboxD. busseolae was repelled. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of molasses grass on close-range foraging behavior of the parasitoids in an arena that included infested and uninfested host plants. Dentichasmias busseolae strongly discriminated between host and non-host plants, with female wasps spending most of the time on infested host plants and least time on molasses grass. Likewise, C. sesamiae spent more time on uninfested and infested host plants than it did on molasses grass in single choice bioassays. While on infested plants, the wasps spent more time foraging on the stem, the site of damage, than on other areas of the plant. Overall, the results indicate that presence of the non-host plant does not hinder close range foraging activities of either parasitoid.     

Host Plant Perception and Selection in the Sibling Species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrolophus melanotoma</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrolophus pygmaeus</Emphasis> (Hemiptera: Miridae)

The electroantennogram responses (EAGs) of Macrolophus melanotoma and Macrolophus pygmaeus (Hemiptera: Miridae) exposed to volatile compounds (VOCs) of host and non-host plants were compared. The VOCs were identified by gas chromatography. Hosts and non-hosts eliciting similar EAGs were tested in olfactory assays against plants without a significant EAGs for the two Macrolophus species. No characteristic VOC profile was found for hosts and non-hosts. Terpenes predominated in many hosts and carboxylic acids in non-hosts, but no specific VOCs were characteristic of host plants. Significant EAGs (maximum deflection values in mV) were recorded in plants with very different VOC profiles, both hosts and non-hosts. The EAGs were higher for M. melanotoma than for M. pygmaeus, and were higher for males than for females. In M. melanotoma the EAGs were greater with hosts than with non-hosts, but they were similar in M. pygmaeus. The EAGs were correlated with the concentrations of sesquiterpenes and alcohols in both species. In olfactory assays, M. melanotoma and M. pygmaeus preferred their respective hosts, but they did not discriminate between non-host with and without significant EAGs. According to the results, Macrolophus species are expected to rely on ubiquitous VOCs for the identification of their hosts. The variation in the EAGs between M. melanotoma and M. pygmaeus is attributed to the variation in the proportions of olfactory receptor neurones with different sensitivity to VOCs (e.g. sesquiterpenes). Host plant selection is discussed in the light of the perception of VOCs and the processing of information by the central nervous system.     

Isolation of New <Emphasis Type="Italic">Symbiodinium</Emphasis> Strains from Tridacnid Giant Clam (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tridacna crocea</Emphasis>) and Sea Slug (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pteraeolidia ianthina</Emphasis>) Using Culture Medium Containing Giant Clam Tissue Homogenate

Recent molecular biological studies have revealed that some photosymbiotic invertebrates dwelling in coral reefs host several genetically different dinoflagellates, Symbiodinium species, as symbionts. However, little is known about the difference in physiologic characteristics among these symbionts living in a single host, because some Symbiodinium strains are difficult to culture in vitro. To isolate some of these Symbiodinium strains, we have developed an agar culture medium plate containing antibiotics and a giant clam tissue homogenate. Using-this medium we isolated two new Symbiodinium strains from two molluscan hosts, Tridacna crocea and Pteraeolidia ianthina, each of which hosted two different Symbiodinium strains belonging to Symbiodinium C and D, respectively. The tissue homogenate was essential for the growth of Symbiodinium D. Although it was not essential for the growth of Symbiodinium C, it did stimulate the initial growth. For the isolation of some Symbiodinium strains, isolation medium containing host homogenate is effective.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Galleria</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">mellonella</Emphasis> are Resistant to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pneumocystis</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">murina</Emphasis> Infection

Studying Pneumocystis has proven to be a challenge from the perspective of propagating a significant amount of the pathogen in a facile manner. The study of several fungal pathogens has been aided by the use of invertebrate model hosts. Our efforts to infect the invertebrate larvae Galleria mellonella with Pneumocystis proved futile since P. murina neither caused disease nor was able to proliferate within G. mellonella. It did, however, show that the pathogen could be rapidly cleared from the host.     

Life history responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Daphnia longispina</Emphasis> to mosquitofish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gambusia holbrooki</Emphasis>) and pumpkinseed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lepomis gibbosus</Emphasis>) kairomones

In the present study, the effect of chemical cues from two fish species (mosquitofish and pumpkinseed), at different concentrations, was tested in life history experiments with Daphnia longispina. The two fish species used represent the most abundant planktivores of many Mediterranean shallow lakes (SW Europe), where the indigenous fish communities have been replaced by such exotic assemblages. Results have shown a similar response of D. longispina to both fish species: kairomones stimulated daphnids to produce more offspring, which resulted in higher fitness (r), relatively to a fishless control. Fish presence also induced an earlier first reproduction, a smaller size at maturity of daphnids, and the production of smaller-sized neonates. Significant correlations with fish concentration (indirect measure of fish kairomone concentration) were found for size at maturity and neonate size, for both fish species. These results are in accordance to the “positive response” observed by other authors, which represents a defence mechanism to face losses caused by fish predators. The chemically mediated size reduction of mature females and neonates is an adaptive response to the size-selective predation exerted by fish. Pumpkinseed introduction is very recent in the lake of origin of the daphnids used in the experiments and its kairomone produced similar effects to mosquitofish in the life history of D. longispina. These results are contrary to the existence of a species-specific kairomone and support the hypothesis of a general fish kairomone. Guest editor: Piet Spaak Cladocera: Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Cladocera     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Myrmica</Emphasis> host-ants limit the density of the ant-predatory large blue <Emphasis Type="Italic">Maculinea nausithous</Emphasis>

Butterflies of the highly endangered genus Maculinea are parasites of red Myrmica ants. Prior to the adoption by Myrmica worker ants Maculinea caterpillars feed on a specific host plant. This field study aims to answer the question whether the density and distribution of the host plant Sanguisorba officinalis or the density of the host ant M. rubra limit the density of M. nausithous egg, larval and adult stage. We found that the density of M. nausithous egg stage and adult stage increased with the density of the host ant. The density of M. nausithous caterpillars was not associated with ant density or plant density. This study suggests that the density of M. nausithous is limited by the density of the host ant M. rubra. We conclude that habitat management for M. nausithous should focus on the maintenance of habitats that hold both resources, but that enable high densities of M. rubra. In addition, it is discussed why high densities of host ants might be more important in predatory than in cuckoo-feeding Maculinea.     

Methylmercury levels in a parasite (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Apophallus brevis</Emphasis> metacercariae) and its host,yellow perch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Perca flavescens</Emphasis>)

The biomagnification of methylmercury (MeHg) amongst trophic levels results in high levels of this compound in many freshwater fish species. The role of parasites in MeHg cycling and trophic transfer in freshwater systems is largely unknown. This study examined the potential for metacercariae of Apophallus brevis to accumulate and biomagnify MeHg from their second intermediate host, yellow perch, Perca flavescens. Contrary to our prediction that MeHg levels would be higher in parasites than in the host muscle tissue in which they are embedded, we found that concentrations were similar. The lack of increase in MeHg levels from host to parasite may be due to limited assimilation of host muscle tissue or, in part, to low parasite metabolism. Parasite load did not reduce fish growth and subsequently alter MeHg concentrations. This study suggests that relationships between larval parasites and their hosts do not conform to typical patterns of MeHg biomagnification seen in aquatic systems.     

Winter and spring ecology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anaphes nitens</Emphasis>, a solitary egg-parasitoid of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis> snout-beetle <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gonipterus scutellatus</Emphasis>

We investigated the effects of temperature, photoperiod, food and host availability, and body size on the overwintering abilities of the egg parasitoid Anaphes nitens Girault (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae) under natural conditions. Seven groups of eighty females received one of four treatments (n = 20): (i) honey and hosts, (ii) water and hosts, (iii) honey, or (iv) water. Seven groups of forty males received only honey or water (n = 20). To test if short day-length is the main cue for larval dormancy, the experiment was replicated inside a climate chamber at 20°C and under a winter photoperiod. A. nitens overwinters because of quiescence or oligopause inside the hosts and increased adult longevity. Mean pre-emergence mortality was up to 26% indoors and 15.2% outdoors, males being more affected. Development time had a significant and positive effect on body size. Honey-fed females without hosts had the highest longevity (53 days). Mother’s diet and size affected development time, body size, longevity, and fecundity of the progeny. The results confirm the good adaptation of the parasitoid to the environmental conditions of NW Spain and its ability to synchronize its life cycle with the phenology of the host. Handling editor: Drik Babendreier.     

The impact of habitat fragmentation on trophic interactions of the monophagous butterfly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polyommatus coridon</Emphasis>

Theory predicts that habitat fragmentation, including reduced area and connectivity of suitable habitat, changes multitrophic interactions. Species at the bottom of trophic cascades (host plants) are expected to be less negatively affected than higher trophic levels, such as herbivores and their parasitoids or predators. Here we test this hypothesis regarding the effects of habitat area and connectivity in a trophic system with three levels: first with the population size of the larval food plant Hippocrepis comosa, next with the population density of the monophagous butterfly species Polyommatus coridon and finally with its larval parasitism rate. Our results show no evidence for negative effects of habitat fragmentation on the food plant or on parasitism rates, but population density of adult P. coridon was reduced with decreasing connectivity. We conclude that the highly specialized butterfly species is more affected by habitat fragmentation than its larval food plant because of its higher trophic position. However, the butterfly host species was also more affected than its parasitoids, presumably because of lower resource specialization of local parasitoids which also frequently occur in alternative hosts. Therefore, conservation efforts should focus first on the most specialized species of interaction networks and second on higher trophic levels.     

Cytoplasmic incompatibility involving <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cardinium</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Wolbachia</Emphasis> in the white-backed planthopper <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sogatella furcifera</Emphasis> (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is a reproductive phenotype induced by bacterial endosymbionts in arthropods. Measured as a reduction in egg hatchability resulting from the crossing of uninfected females with bacteria-infected males, CI increases the frequency of bacteria-infected hosts by restricting the fertilization opportunities of uninfected hosts in populations. Wolbachia, a type of alpha-proteobacteria, is well known as a CI inducer in a wide range of arthropod species, while Cardinium, a member of the phylum Bacteroidetes, is known to cause CI in one wasp and three spider mite species. In this study, dual infection with Cardinium and Wolbachia induced strong CI in a single host, Sogatella furcifera (Horváth), a planthopper species that is naturally infected with both bacteria. Specifically, infection with Cardinium alone was found to cause a 76 % reduction in egg development, and dual infection with Cardinium and Wolbachia a 96 % reduction, indicating that Cardinium induces CI and the dual infection raises the CI level. This study was the first to document reproductive alteration by Cardinium in a diploid host species.