Field confirmation of a mechanism causing synergism between Bacillus thuringiensis and the gypsy moth parasitoid, Apanteles melanoscelus |
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Authors: | RM Weseloh TG Andreadis REB Moore JF Anderson NR Dubois FB Lewis |
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Institution: | Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, P.O. Box 1106, New Haven, Connecticut 06504 USA;U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, 51 Mill Pond Road, Hamden, Connecticut 06514 USA |
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Abstract: | In 16-ha plots aerially sprayed with single and double applications of Bacillus thuringiensis, percentage parasitism by A. melanoscelus and the number of A. melanoscelus cocoons under burlap strips were higher than in comparable untreated plots in the same area. Strong correlations occurred between percentage parasitism and caterpillar size, with plots having the smallest caterpillars being the most heavily parasitized. However, these parameters were also negatively correlated with number of caterpillars per plot. The increased numbers of parasitoid progeny, i.e., cocoons, found in treated plots showed that corresponding increases in percentage parasitism could not be due simply to improved parasitoid: host ratios. Evidence strongly suggests that the retarding effect of B. thuringiensis infection kept gypsy moth larvae small enough in the treated plots to permit A. melanoscelus females to parasitize relatively large numbers of caterpillars. |
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Keywords: | gypsy moth synergism parasitoid |
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