班氏跳小蜂对新寄主资源的寄生适合度

【目的】班氏跳小蜂Aenasius bambawalei是扶桑绵粉蚧Phenacoccus solenopsis的伴迁性天敌,迄今已知该寄生蜂只能寄生扶桑绵粉蚧,但是我们发现该寄生蜂还能成功寄生另一种外来有害生物——石蒜绵粉蚧P. solani。本研究旨在明确班氏跳小蜂对该新寄主资源的寄生适合度,为今后充分开发、利用该寄生蜂提供科学依据。【方法】在实验室条件下,以马铃薯Solanum tuberosum块茎作为粉蚧的寄主植物,测定了班氏跳小蜂对不同龄期石蒜绵粉蚧的寄生适合度,并在非选择条件下测定了上述两种寄主上僵蚧形成时间以及该寄生蜂羽化时间、寿命、后足胫节长度、寄生率、羽化率及子代性比。【结果】班氏跳小蜂可寄生石蒜绵粉蚧的雌成虫及2龄和3龄若虫,但只有寄生雌成虫才能正常羽化出蜂。分别以石蒜绵粉蚧与扶桑绵粉蚧为寄主时,最适合的蜂蚧比分别为2∶15和2∶20。不同寄主对僵蚧形成时间及班氏跳小蜂的羽化时间无显著影响,但显著影响班氏跳小蜂的寿命以及雌蜂后足胫节长度,尤其是扶桑绵粉蚧上羽化的寄生蜂的寿命比以石蒜绵粉蚧上的长约20 d。而且,班氏跳小蜂对扶桑绵粉蚧的寄生率(54.0%)显著高于对石蒜绵粉蚧的(25.3%),但班氏跳小蜂在这两种寄主上的羽化率均在90%以上,差异不显著;寄生扶桑绵粉蚧的雌蜂比例高于寄生石蒜绵粉蚧的雌蜂比例。【结论】班氏跳小蜂能寄生石蒜绵粉蚧,且只在雌成虫上完成世代发育;与在更适寄主扶桑绵粉蚧上比较,石蒜绵粉蚧上羽化的班氏跳小蜂在寿命及雌蜂个体大小上有劣势。     

转换寄主前后扶桑绵粉蚧取食行为的EPG分析

【目的】分析扶桑绵粉蚧Phenacoccus solenopsis在发生寄主转移前后的取食行为,以据此评价其寄主适应性。【方法】利用刺吸电位（EPG）技术,量化扶桑绵粉蚧转换寄主植物前后的取食行为并进行对比分析。【结果】寄主转换后,扶桑绵粉蚧的取食行为受到显著的影响,需要耗费更多的时间到达韧皮部,总取食时间显著变短,取食效率降低。但寄主转换后,下一代成虫的取食效率提高,总刺探数、取食刺探数、总刺探时间以及到达韧皮部的效率与时间均与寄主转换前的扶桑绵粉蚧个体不存在显著差异。【结论】扶桑绵粉蚧的取食行为存在高度可塑性,这种特性利于扩大其寄主植物范围,有可能是促其成为重要农业入侵生物的原因之一。     

饥饿对扶桑绵粉蚧存活率和产卵量的影响

【背景】扶桑绵粉蚧是近年来入侵我国的重要害虫,食物是影响其生长发育及种群发展的重要因素。【方法】在室内条件下研究了饥饿对扶桑绵粉蚧不同龄期若虫和初羽化雌成虫存活率和雌成虫产卵量的影响。【结果】扶桑绵粉蚧不同虫态在饥饿条件下存活的时间存在显著差异,表现为雌成虫〉2龄若虫=3龄若虫〉1龄若虫。扶桑绵粉蚧各龄若虫和雌成虫随着饥饿时间的延长,存活率逐渐下降。其中,雌成虫存活率下降速度较慢,完全饥饿8d后存活率仍有50％左右;2、3龄若虫50％个体死亡需要饥饿的时间约为6d,1龄若虫约需5．5d。饥饿会显著降低1龄若虫存活率,但对2、3龄若虫没有显著影响。扶桑绵粉蚧雌成虫饥饿4d对其产卵前期、平均每头雌虫一生的产卵量没有显著影响,但寿命显著低于对照。【结论与意义】扶桑绵粉蚧耐饥力较强,这有助于它在野外建立种群。该结果为进一步评价扶桑绵粉蚧的入侵潜能提供了依据。     

扶桑绵粉蚧虫态对班氏跳小蜂寄生适合性的影响

为明确寄主虫态对班氏跳小蜂适合度的影响,在实验室条件下\[温度(27±1) ℃,相对湿度(70±5)%,光周期14L∶10D\]测定了寄生于不同发育阶段(3龄若虫和雌成虫)扶桑绵粉蚧的班氏跳小蜂子代性比和个体大小.结果表明: 寄生扶桑绵粉蚧雌成虫的班氏跳小蜂的子代雌雄性比、个体体长和后足胫节的长度均明显高于寄生3龄若虫,且个体体长与后足胫节长度之间有显著的相关性.扶桑绵粉蚧3龄若虫个体大小显著影响班氏跳小蜂子代个体大小,而雌成虫的个体大小对该蜂子代大小无显著影响.
     

不同植物种类及棉花品种对扶桑绵粉蚧生物学影响研究进展

扶桑绵粉蚧Phenacoccus solenopsis是一种多食性入侵害虫,其寄主范围广、适应性强,已入侵多个国家和地区,对农业生产造成了严重危害。本文通过分析不同寄主植物上扶桑绵粉蚧研究,找出相对适宜与不适宜寄主植物,以便指导作物种植,并为培育抗扶桑绵粉蚧作物提供一定参考。本文通过收集分析相关文献,运用数理统计方法,综述和分析了不同寄主植物上扶桑绵粉蚧生长发育、生殖、抗逆等方面研究进展及其差异。发现马铃薯、豚草是极有利于扶桑绵粉蚧繁衍的植物,其次是扶桑与棉花。对10个品种棉花的分析发现,中棉所59对扶桑绵粉蚧具有较强的抗性,而抗虫棉RCH-134不具有抗性。对扶桑绵粉蚧生物学尤其是生长发育、繁殖能力等研究已经比较多,今后与该虫相关的抗虫育种、生物防治、分子生物学等研究可望成为重点。     

扶桑绵粉蚧与长角立毛蚁的互惠关系及其对寄主棉花叶片叶绿素荧光特性的影响

【背景】草食动物对寄主植物的取食或损伤会诱导改变植物的光合作用,从而直接影响植株的健康生长。产蜜昆虫与蚂蚁的互惠关系是物种相互促进的一种重要的生态学现象,能够促进产蜜昆虫的种群数量,然而这种互惠关系及其对寄主植物光合生理的影响还知之甚少。【方法】在室内条件下,运用叶绿素荧光动力学技术研究了外来入侵害虫扶桑绵粉蚧与长角立毛蚁的互惠对寄主棉花叶片叶绿素荧光特性的影响。【结果】随着扶桑绵粉蚧危害时间的延续,寄主植物上蚂蚁和扶桑绵粉蚧的数量均呈现显著上升的趋势,而在危害后期,蚂蚁存在情况下扶桑绵粉蚧的数量要明显低于无蚂蚁处理;在扶桑绵粉蚧取食寄主棉花20 d后,有、无蚂蚁存在的棉花叶片的光合利用率α值较无虫处理分别下降了53.5%和37.0%;存在蚂蚁或扶桑绵粉蚧危害后期对棉花叶片最大相对电子传递效率r ETRmax有显著影响,然而扶桑绵粉蚧单独取食或与蚂蚁互作的情况下未显著影响棉花叶片对强光的耐受能力(Ek)。【结论与意义】研究明确了扶桑绵粉蚧与长角立毛蚁的互惠关系对寄主棉花叶片的光合生理产生了一定的负面效应,为进一步解释扶桑绵粉蚧入侵、扩散及暴发的生态学过程提供了科学依据。     

班氏跳小蜂对寄主龄期选择的研究

班氏跳小蜂Aenasiusbam bawalei Hayat是扶桑绵粉蚧Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley的优势种寄生蜂。本文研究了在限制选择和自由选择的条件下,扶桑绵粉蚧的2龄若虫、3龄若虫和雌成虫对该蜂的寄生率、发育历期、子代性比和个体大小的影响。结果表明:在两种选择条件下,班氏跳小蜂对扶桑绵粉蚧3龄若虫的寄生率显著高于对雌成虫和2龄若虫的寄生率,但寄生粉蚧雌成虫的子代雌雄性比显著高于寄生3龄若虫或2龄若虫的性比;在两种选择条件下,雌蜂在寄主三种虫龄(态)上的发育历期差异不显著,但是雄蜂在粉蚧雌成虫中的发育历期显著长于寄生2龄若虫或3龄若虫的发育历期;在两种选择条件下,寄生于粉蚧雌成虫的子代雌蜂和雄蜂的个体都是最大,其后足胫节长度显著长于寄生于2龄若虫或3龄若虫的子代胫节的长度。     

不同温度和寄主植物对扶桑绵粉蚧生长发育的影响

为明确温度和寄主对扶桑绵粉蚧Phenacoccus solenopsis生长发育的影响,本文在室内研究了不同温度和不同寄主上该虫的发育历期、发育起点温度、有效积温、成虫性比和存活率,结果表明:18℃-30℃范围内,随着温度升高,扶桑绵粉蚧发育历期逐渐缩短,34℃与30℃下无明显差异。该虫不同虫期发育起点温度均较高,其中2龄雄若虫和雌若虫最高,分别为19.11℃、16.14℃,蛹最低,为12.22℃。有效积温蛹最大,为87.40日·度,1龄若虫次之(77.12日·度),2龄雄若虫最小(26.32日·度)。18℃-30℃时各虫期死亡率随着温度升高而降低,34℃时又有升高。取食4种寄主时扶桑绵粉蚧发育历期有所变化,1龄若虫番茄上显著长于马铃薯;2龄雌雄若虫番茄上显著长于扶桑和马铃薯;3龄雌若虫以烟草和番茄上较长,扶桑和马铃薯上较短;雄蛹、雄成虫历期均无差异;烟草上雌成虫存活时间最长;雌虫整个虫期存活时间最长,为53.77 d,番茄次之(48.65 d),扶桑、马铃薯较短,分别为43.39 d、39.79 d。雄虫整个虫期存活时间烟草明显长于扶桑。不同寄主上扶桑绵粉蚧雌雄虫比率差异较大,以马铃薯上雄虫率最高(37.78%),其次为扶桑(26.67%),烟草上最低(8.01%)。     

五种蔬菜对扶桑绵粉蚧生长发育参数的影响

[目的]探讨不同蔬菜对扶桑绵粉蚧Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley生长发育和繁殖的影响。[方法]在温度(25±1)℃、RH60%±5%、光照L:D=14:10的条件下,观察扶桑绵粉蚧实验种群在茄科的马铃薯、旋花科的紫薯、葫芦科的黄瓜、菊科的生菜、十字花科的甘蓝这5种蔬菜上的生长发育特性和繁殖能力,组建实验种群生命表。[结果]在供试的5种蔬菜中,扶桑绵粉蚧在马铃薯上的发育历期最短、存活率最高,而在黄瓜上的发育历期最长、存活率最低。雌成虫寿命以生菜上的最高,而雄成虫则以马铃薯上的最高。在5种蔬菜上扶桑绵粉蚧种群的内禀增长率(r_m)高低顺序为马铃薯紫薯生菜甘蓝黄瓜。[结论]不同蔬菜对扶桑绵粉蚧的生长发育参数有明显影响。5种蔬菜中,马铃薯最适合扶桑绵粉蚧的生长发育和繁殖。     

班氏跳小蜂对扶桑绵粉蚧的寄生功能反应

为评估班氏跳小蜂Aenasius bambawalei Hayat对其寄主扶桑绵粉蚧Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley的控制作用, 在实验室条件下（温度25±1℃, 相对湿度70%±5%, 光周期14L∶10D）, 研究了班氏跳小蜂对扶桑绵粉蚧3龄若虫、 雌成虫的寄生功能反应及其自身密度效应。结果表明: 寄生功能反应均符合Holling Ⅱ型方程, 且受寄主密度和寄生物密度的影响。当扶桑绵粉蚧 3龄若虫和雌成虫的密度分别大于15头/容器和10头/容器时, 班氏跳小蜂的寄生量增加幅度开始减小; 以瞬间攻击率/处理时间（α/Th)为评价指标, 班氏跳小蜂雌蜂寄生扶桑绵粉蚧3龄若虫时, α/Th为21.1307, 且大于雌蜂寄生雌成虫的情况（α/Th为6.2506）; 班氏跳小蜂寄生功能反应有较强的种内干扰作用, 随着自身密度的增加, 寄生效能逐渐降低; 通过方程E=QP^-m能很好地模拟班氏跳小蜂的寻找效应（E）与其自身密度（P）之间的关系, 对于3龄若虫和雌成虫的模拟结果分别为E=0.2931P^-0.6240和E=0.0944P^-0.4840。本研究为利用班氏跳小蜂开展扶桑绵粉蚧生物防治提供了基础数据和方法。     

Host stage preference and parasitism behaviour of Aenasius bambawalei an encyrtid parasitoid of Phenacoccus solenopsis

In Pakistan, the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Sternorrhyncha (Homoptera): Pseudococcidae), is a serious pest of many cultivated plants. A parasitoid, Aenasius bambawalei Hayat (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), is associated with P. solenopsis. In order to mass rear A. bambawalei for a biological control programme, it is important to investigate the parasitoid’s host stage preference and its parasitism behaviour for P. solenopsis in order to optimise production. The present study showed that under both choice and no-choice conditions, the parasitoid preferred third instar and pre-reproductive host stage mealybugs for parasitism. Parasitoid larva developing inside the host exhibited a greater longevity, shorter developmental period and longer body size in these preferred host stages. Our study also confirmed that A. bambawalei showed no attraction to male mealybugs and no host feeding on any host stage was recorded. The ability of the parasitoid to effectively discriminate between suitable and non-suitable stages means that it is feasible to rear it on a mixed population.     

Feeding behaviour and reproductive biology of Colorado potato beetle adults fed transgenic potatoes expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3B endotoxin

Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) adult longevity and fecundity were studied on transgenic potato clones expressing a Cry3B endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Adult longevity and fitness were studied for the first 3 weeks after emergence. Beetle reproductive biology on highly resistant clones, intermediary resistant clones and control potato plants was monitored by dissecting females after 7–15 days of feeding and also by analysing haemolymph protein content after 3 days of feeding. Feeding behaviour on transgenic plants expressing high toxin concentrations and on control plants was monitored individually for 36 newly emerged adult beetles feeding on leaf disks during the first two meals. Lethal Time₅₀ for adult beetles feeding on transgenic clones as the sole source of food was not significantly shorter than for beetles on control clones reared in a growth chamber. Differences tended to be larger when the experiment was conducted in a greenhouse with a less optimal temperature range (LT₅₀ = 9.52 and 10.45 days for two transgenic clones and 13.86 for control). In contrast, female egg production on transgenic plants was almost totally inhibited. Dissection studies indicated that adult males living on high-level Bt-expressing transgenic potatoes were still able to mate and produce mobile sperm, but the females were impaired in their reproductive ability since their ovaries were generally not fully developed. An examination of the haemolymph revealed the protein concentration in females living on transgenic plants to be dramatically reduced ( 50%), and electrophoresis showed a reduced content of vitellogenin in these samples.Feeding behaviour of adult Colorado potato beetles was not affected by the different food plants; this indicates that transgenic potato plants were readily accepted as host plants by beetles. The effects of these findings on the use of transgenic plants as a means of L. decemlineata control are discussed.     

Influence of adult experience on host microhabitat location by the generalist parasitoid,Campoletis sonorensis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

The effect of adult experience on microhabitat location behavior of the generalist parasitoid Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron)was examined in a wind tunnel bioassay. Responses were tested to the odors of two host plants (cotton and sesame) of Heliothis virescens (F.) or a nonhost plant (potato), either damaged and infested with host larvae and host products (host/plant complex) or intact, clean and uninfested. Parasitoid females remained naive or were allowed one oviposition experience on either of the plants, 1 min, 2 h, or 24 h prior their introduction into the wind tunnel. In a no-choice test, parasitoids experienced 1 min prior to bioassay completed significantly more flights to sesame and potato host/plant complexes than did naive parasitoids. However, 24 h after experience, only females experienced on potato completed more flights to the host/ plant complex than did naive females. Parasitoids experienced 1 min prior to flight to undamaged plants showed a slight increase in flight response (significant only for potato) but, after 24 h, completed only as many flights as naive parasitoids. In a dual-choice situation, parasitoids did not show a preference for either of the two host plants but did prefer a host to a nonhost plant. This innate plant preference was not changed by a single oviposition experience. The potential significance of these results to the microhabitat location behavior of C. sonorensisin the field is discussed.     

杭州地区扶桑绵粉蚧危害调查及系统进化分析

【背景】扶桑绵粉蚧是近年来入侵我国的重要检疫性害虫,在我国多个省份均有发生,造成了严重的经济损失。【方法】于2009—2015年对杭州地区扶桑绵粉蚧的发生危害情况进行了实地调查,同时结合mt DNA COI分子标记方法,对扶桑绵粉蚧进行分子鉴定和系统进化分析。【结果】杭州市余杭区、萧山区和临安市3个地区发现扶桑绵粉蚧分布,共调查到寄主植物38科61属68种,以辣椒、茄子、番茄、南瓜、棉花、芝麻、菊花、苦荬菜、大花马齿苋和五色梅受害最严重。系统进化分析表明,杭州地区的扶桑绵粉蚧未发生明显的遗传分化,与我国其他地区扶桑绵粉蚧mt DNA COI基因相似度为99.4%~100%。【结论与意义】本研究为进一步研究扶桑绵粉蚧的遗传进化、可能的侵入途径以及科学防控提供了理论基础。     

Changes in the photosynthetic characteristics of cotton leaves infested by invasive mealybugs tended by native ant species

Herbivore injury has a direct effect on the growth and performance of host plants through photosynthetic suppression. However, changes in plant photosynthesis affected by ant tending of hemipteran sap feeders remain poorly understood. We investigated the effects of an invasive mealybug (Phenacoccus solenopsis) tended by native ants (Paratrechina longicornis) on the chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) leaves under greenhouse conditions. The results showed that the relative chlorophyll content of the infested cotton leaves significantly decreased after 10 days, and the chlorophyll contents were reduced by 26.4 and 34.9 % after 20 days in the without and with ant treatments compared to the control, respectively. In addition, the light utilization efficiency and maximum relative electron transport rate were reduced by 53.0 and 51.3 % compared to the control, respectively. However, no significant differences in these factors were found between the without and with ant treatments. The light saturation coefficient, describing the capacity of a sample to resist glare, exhibited no significant difference among treatments. The number of tending P. longicornis ants increased with P. solenopsis numbers, and the P. solenopsis numbers decreased after 20 days compared to the without ant treatment. We suggest that the tending ants may enhance the feeding ability of individual mealybugs in spite of the decreased number of mealybugs in this situation. Additionally, P. longicornis decrease the relative chlorophyll content of infested cotton leaves and may accelerate the damage caused by P. solenopsis to plants over time.     

Reproductive maturation in the large pine weevil Hylobius abietis: the relative importance of larval and adult diet

1 Larval and adult Hylobius abietis (L.) can feed and, in the case of the adults, cause commercially significant damage to many species of conifer. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of larval and adult feeding on different host plants on subsequent reproductive fitness. 2 Hylobius abietis larvae were reared on logs of four host species known to vary in suitability for development; Pinus nigra ssp. laricio, Picea sitchensis, Larix kaempferi and Pseudotsuga menziesii. Adult females were collected on emergence and allocated to complete maturation feeding on one of four seedling conifer species, P. nigra spp. laricio, P. sitchensis, P. menziesii and Larix ×marschlinsii. It was assumed that variation in both larval and adult host plant quality had the potential to influence subsequent reproductive behaviour. 3 The time taken for females to attain reproductive maturity was assessed, and reproductive output was measured over an average period of 17 days. 4 The best predictor of the time to attain reproductive maturity was found to be the initial adult body weight. This was strongly related to the larval host species, with the largest adults emerging from P. nigra ssp. laricio. The time taken to begin oviposition was in the range 10–49 days (mean 23 days). The subsequent mean rate of oviposition for individual females was in the range 0.1–3.7 eggs per day. Egg volumes varied between and within individual females, in the range 0.241–1.079 mm³. 5 The species of seedling provided for maturation feeding had no significant impact on reproductive behaviour over the course of the experiment. It is possible, however, that the quality of the adult diet might exert a greater influence on behaviour over a longer period because H. abietis is a relatively long‐lived species.     

Oviposition preference,larval performance and adaptation of Trichoplusia ni on cabbage and cotton

Most female herbivores ensure to lay eggs where their offspring can develop successfully. The oviposition preferences of females affect strategies in pest management. In this study, the performance of two cohorts of Trichoplusia ni larvae on cabbage and cotton (after they had been transferred from their original host plants) were investigated. The preferences of female moth ovipositing and larval feeding on these two host plants were observed. The results indicated that plants significantly affected oviposition preference of the female adults and development and survival of larvae of T. ni. All females preferred to lay eggs on cabbage than cotton regardless from which host they originated. The detrimental effects of cotton on the development and survival of T. ni larvae originated from cabbage (CaTn) increased with the increase of the larval age when they were transferred. In addition, the host plant change did not significantly affect the development and survival of larvae of T. ni originating from cotton (CoTn). Larvae of CaTn preferred cabbage plants as compared to cotton plants, whereas larvae of CoTn did not show a significant choice. Although the adult females preferred laying eggs on cabbage, they did not show preferences between cotton and cabbage in a Y‐tube olfactometer test. The hypothesis of oviposition preference and performance of larvae was supported by the results of CaTn, whereas they not supported by those from CoTn. Based on these results, the strategy to manage this serious pest was discussed.     

Does the host plant affect the benefits from mutualisms? The invasive mealybug and ghost ant association

1. The benefits to trophobionte hemipterans are affected by the ant tending level, which is a widely accepted statement. The ant tending level is closely related to multiple factors. It is clear that the ant tending level can be affected by the temporal factor, age‐specific, the density of the hemipterans, and quantity and quality of honeydew produced by hemipterans. 2. Few studies of ant–hemipteran mutualisms have reported the patterns of host plants‐dependent effects, and whether host plants influence the ant tending level that is also unclear. As such, laboratory experiments were conducted to test whether the colony growth rate of an invasive mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, parasitism of Aenasius bambawalei Hayat, an dominant parasitoid of P. solenopsis, are affected by tending by ghost ants (Tapinoma melanocephalum(Fabricius)], host plants (tomato and cotton), and interactions between the two factors. The difference in the ant tending level between the host plants was also determined. 3. The results showed that mealybug colony growth and parasitism were significantly affected by ant tending and host plant separately. There were significant interactions between the independent factors on the mealybug colony growth rate and percentage parasitism. These results suggest that benefits to mealybugs are host plant‐dependent.     

Effect of Bt-cotton expressing Cry1A(c) on the survival and fecundity of two hymenopteran parasitoids (Braconidae, Encyrtidae) in the laboratory

We examined the effect of Bt-cotton (Event 531) plants expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis δ-endotoxin CryIA(c) on two hymenopteran endoparasitoids, Cotesia marginiventris and Copidosoma floridanum. In the laboratory, parasitized and unparasitized Pseudoplusia includens larvae were reared on foliage from a conventional soybean cultivar (Pioneer 97B61), a conventional cotton cultivar (DPL 5415), or a Bt-cotton cultivar (NuCotn 33B). C. marginiventris developed significantly faster within P. includens larvae feeding on Pioneer 97B61 and DPL 5415 compared to those feeding on NuCotn 33B. C. marginiventris that developed inside P. includens larvae feeding on NuCotn 33B suffered reduced longevity, and females had fewer ova. NuCotn 33B also affected the growth and development of P. includens parasitized with C. floridanum and life history parameters of adult C. floridanum. Parasitized and unparasitized P. includens developed more slowly when they were fed NuCotn 33B and the prepupae weighed less. Survival of parasitized and unparasitized P. includens was lower when larvae were fed NuCotn 33B and some evidence points to higher susceptibility of parasitized caterpillars to intoxication by NuCotn 33B. Fewer C. floridanum adults emerged from hosts fed NuCotn 33B, but pupal weight and adult longevity were unaffected. Analysis comparing the two experiments conducted with C. floridanum suggests that older NuCotn 33B plants (90–120 days after planting) may affect parasitoid development and adult survival less than younger NuCotn 33B plants (60–90 days after planting). Feeding on NuCotn 33B by P. includens affected the survival and development of the two hymenopteran endoparasitoids studied here, and the degree of the effect was similar to that observed with natural resistance found in soybean plants. It remains to be determined if the effects demonstrated here are less than, equal to, or greater than the impact of conventional insecticide applications used in conventional, non-transgenic, cotton.