Effect of Two Opiine Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Introduced for Fruit Fly Control on a Native Hawaiian Tephritid,Trupanea dubautiae(Diptera: Tephritidae)

Diachasmimorpha longicaudata(Ashmead) andPsyttalia fletcheri(Silvestri) are opiine parasitoids introduced into Hawaii for control of the Oriental fruit fly,Bactrocera dorsalis(Hendel) and the melon fly,Bactrocera cucurbitae(Coquillett), respectively. Both species have recently been mass-reared and released for research in augmentative biocontrol programs. Laboratory and field sleeve cage experiments were conducted to investigate the potential impact of mass-producedD. longicaudataandP. fletcherion a native Hawaiian tephritid,Trupanea dubautiae(Bryan), infesting the flowerheads of the native composite shrubDubautia raillardioidesHillebrand. Gravid females ofD. longicaudataandP. fletcheriwere confined with bloomingD. raillardioidesflowerheads infested with late instarT. dubautiae.BothD. longicaudataandP. fletcherilacked positive oviposition responses toT. dubautiaelarvae in infested flowerheads and caused neither parasitism nor mortality to the flies. However, when larvae were removed from the flowerheads and presented in screened dishes containing artificial diet of the parasitoids' normal rearing hosts (B. dorsalisandB. cucurbitae), bothD. longicaudataandP. fletcherireadily oviposited in the test larvae. Oviposition byD. longicaudatadid not significantly affect the percentage pupation ofT. dubautiae,but did reduce the emergence of adult flies. Oviposition byP. fletcherisignificantly reduced both pupation and adult fly emergence. All progeny of both parasitoid species died as eggs or first-instar larvae. Results from our experiments demonstrate that biological control programs targeted against frugivorous tephritid pests byD. longicaudataandP. fletcherihave no harmful impact on flowerhead-infestingT. dubautiae.     

Suppression of melon fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) populations with releases of Fopius arisanus and Psyttalia fletcheri (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in North Shore Oahu, HI, USA

Field experiments and surveys were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of releasing Fopius arisanus (Sonan) and Psyttalia fletcheri (Silvestri) parasitoids for suppression of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) infesting wild Coccinia grandis L. In 2003 and 2004, P. fletcheri releases combined with natural emergence from wild fly populations resulted in better fly suppression, compared to the control site. While P. fletcheri developed freely on melon fly, F. arisanus was less successful at producing its own progeny, yet causing mortality and a twofold decrease in pupae recovered from ivy gourds. Concurrent releases of both parasitoids exerted a compounded suppressive effect on the melon fly population 2–3 times higher than during the pre-release phase. A similar, less obvious, pattern occurred in 2004, due to reduction of the ivy gourd fruit canopy. In 2005, only P. fletcheri was released, with greatly reduced impact, due to ivy gourd destruction and by growers leaving crop culls in fields, producing large numbers of melon flies unaffected by parasitoid releases.     

Effects of fruit fly host, fruit species, and host egg to female parasitoid ratio on the laboratory rearing of Biosteres arisanus

The host suitability of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), for development of Biosteres arisanus (Sonan), a braconid parasitoid, was compared with three other fruit fly species, namely, Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata Weidemann, melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquilett, and Malaysian fruit fly, Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel). In addition, effects of five different fruit species, namely, Carica papaya L. (solo papaya), Musa sapientum (L.) O. Ktze. (apple banana), Mangifera indica (L.) (Haden mango), Terminalia catappa (L.) (false kamani), and Citrus aurantiifolia (Christman) Swingle (common lime), on the parasitization rate of B. dorsalis and sex ratio of parasitoid progenies were evaluated. Effects of host egg to female B. arisanus ratios on parasitoid progeny yields were likewise determined. The host suitability of fruit flies for development of B. arisanus was ranked as: B. dorsalis>C. capitata=B. latifrons=B. cucurbitae. Based on percent parasitization of B. dorsalis, preference of B. arisanus females for host eggs varied with fruit species, however, preferential oviposition displayed by female parasitoids did not influence sex ratios of subsequent parasitoid progenies. Increases in host egg to female parasitoid ratios of 5:1, 10:1, 20:1, 25:1, and 30:1 corresponded with increases in parasitoid progeny yield reaching a plateau at 20:1.     

蝇蛹俑小蜂对橘小实蝇和瓜实蝇的偏好性

【背景】蝇蛹俑小蜂是实蝇类害虫蛹期的一种重要寄生蜂,对压制下一代实蝇类害虫的种群数量具有重要作用,但有关其对不同实蝇害虫的寄生特性尚缺乏研究。【方法】采用"H"型装置和培养皿测定方法,研究了蝇蛹俑小蜂的寄主选择偏好性。【结果】蝇蛹俑小蜂在橘小实蝇蛹和瓜实蝇蛹共存的情况下,偏好在橘小实蝇蛹上停留,且寄生率较高,最高寄生率达61.11%。【结论与意义】本研究为合理利用蝇蛹俑小蜂控制实蝇类害虫提供了理论基础。     

Host specificity of the egg pupal parasitoid Fopius arisanus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in La Reunion

Fopius arisanus is a polyphagous parasitoid of Tephritidae, which has been recently introduced to La Réunion Island as part of a classical biological control programme. We carried out laboratory experiments to assess the host specificity of this parasitoid, initially reared on Bactrocera zonata, and then offered for parasitization the eight local tephritid pest species. Naive or experienced parasitoid females were given tephritid eggs in no choice tests. Fopius arisanus females parasitize all fly species but parasitism varies with host species. No adult wasps emerge from Bactrocera cucurbitae and the survival of this species is only slightly affected by parasitism. Dissections show that the late instars of this fly may eliminate the parasitoid by encapsulation. When developing on Ceratitis capitata, Ceratitis rosa, Dacus ciliatus, Dacus demmerezi, and Neoceratitis cyanescens, parasitoid survival rate ranges from 10 to 25%. Bactrocera zonata and Ceratitis catoirii are the best hosts, yielding parasitoid survival rates of more than 70% with no premature mortality. The egg-larval mortality of C. capitata, C. rosa, D. ciliatus, and N. cyanescens, and the pupal mortality of D. demmerezi, are significantly increased by parasitism. The size of emerging adults is affected by host species and is correlated to pupal weight. Bactrocera zonata would be a favorable host to support routine colonization of F. arisanus for mass production of this parasitoid.     

液体植物保护膜防治瓜实蝇的效果评价

【背景】瓜实蝇是一种重要的世界性检疫害虫,广泛分布在我国的热带、亚热带地区。在室内和田间测定了液体植物保护膜对瓜实蝇的控制效能,并初步探索了该保护膜的作用方式,以期为瓜实蝇的绿色防控提供一定的技术支撑。【方法】测定了应用保护膜后瓜实蝇的产卵、存活以及对苦瓜的为害率。【结果】保护膜显著影响了瓜实蝇产卵、存活以及选择性。随着保护膜浓度的升高,瓜实蝇的存活率和在供试苦瓜段上的产卵量逐渐下降,但300和400倍保护膜之间的差异不显著。当浓度达到400倍时产卵量最低,为0.33粒,死亡率最高,约为50%;室内研究发现保护膜可持续影响瓜实蝇产卵5 d;此外,通过将保护膜应用在损伤的苦瓜上,发现保护膜并没有抑制瓜实蝇产卵。在田间,研究发现苦瓜的果长影响了保护膜的应用效能,2种果长的苦瓜应用保护膜后12~14 cm苦瓜的被害率显著低于6~8 cm苦瓜的被害率。【结论与意义】400倍的植物液体保护膜是防治瓜实蝇的最佳浓度,应用时间建议每4 d一次。保护膜最合适的应用时期为果长发育至12~14 cm时,即生长后期。施用保护膜时一定均匀,且在寄主果实受到损伤时不宜喷施保护膜。     

瓜实蝇2种蛹寄生蜂生防潜能比较

[目的] 比较研究蝇蛹俑小蜂与蝇蛹金小蜂对瓜实蝇的控制潜能。[方法] 采用非选择性实验测定蝇蛹俑小蜂与蝇蛹金小蜂对瓜实蝇蛹的寄生效能、繁殖能力,并研究覆土厚度对2种寄生蜂寄生效能的影响。[结果] 2种寄生蜂对瓜实蝇的寄生率无显著性差异,但蝇蛹金小蜂的平均单雌产后代数比蝇蛹俑小蜂的多,分别为30和23头。土壤厚度显著影响2种寄生蜂的寄生效能,随着土壤厚度的增加,2种寄生蜂对瓜实蝇蛹的寄生率均显著下降,但蝇蛹金小蜂的寄生率下降更为迅速;蝇蛹俑小蜂最深可寄生8 cm土壤下的瓜实蝇蛹,而蝇蛹金小蜂在土壤厚度达到3 cm时就不能完成寄生。[结论] 蝇蛹俑小蜂较蝇蛹金小蜂更适合应用于瓜实蝇蛹的生物防治。     

我国口岸瓜实蝇监测样本的SSR分子标记分析

[目的] 瓜实蝇是世界性检疫害虫,被列入我国口岸常年监测计划中。本研究以检疫性有害生物瓜实蝇为研究对象,利用不同地理种群瓜实蝇的转录组发现特异性的微卫星（simple sequence repeats,SSR）序列,分析我国口岸监测的瓜实蝇样本的遗传多样性。[方法] 利用生物信息学方法,对4个不同地理来源的瓜实蝇转录组进行分析,发现了特异性的SSR序列,并设计特异性引物,选用我国11个省市的49个瓜实蝇监测样本进行测试及验证,使用NTsys和Popgene 32软件进行遗传多样性分析。[结果] 筛选出15对多态性较好的引物,UPGMA聚类分析显示,新疆、四川和广西种群归为一支,浙江、广东、江苏种群归为一支,上海、云南、海南、天津种群归为一支,北京种群单独聚为一支。[结论] 聚类分析结果显示,11个不同省市的瓜实蝇监测样本间基因分化系数为0.6712,表明不同口岸的瓜实蝇监测样本间的遗传分化较大,可能具有不同的来源地,可为进一步开发监测样本溯源技术提供理论依据。     

Response of the melon fly parasitoidPysttalia fletcheri (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to host-habitat stimuli

Cohorts of mass-reared adult femalePysttalia fletcheri, parasitoids of the melon fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae), were exposed to host-plant stimuli in a laminar airflow wind tunnel to analyze the cues used in host-habitat finding. Parasitoids hovered twice as frequently around plastic zucchini models emitting fresh cucumber odor as around models emitting clean air. The odor of decaying pumpkin was even more attractive, resulting in over a 10-fold increase in hovering, a 50-fold increase in landing, and a 150-fold increase in host-searching and probing behaviors compared to clean air. Fresh cucumber leaf odors were not attractive to the parasitoids, but decomposing leaves elicited a strong increase in hovering, landing, and searching behaviors. Plastic leaves which visually simulated cucurbit foliage did not in themselves significantly alter orientation behaviors, but the combination of leaf visual stimuli plus decaying leaf odors caused strong increases in hovering, landing, and searching. Fresh pumpkin odor and the odor of yeast-inoculated pumpkin were not as attractive to parasitoids as decaying leaf odors. Yeast isolated from decaying pumpkin and cultured on various sterile media were not substantially more attractive than clean air.     

Ripeness effects of three vegetable crops on abundance of augmentatively released psyttalia fletcheri (Hym.: Hraconidae): Improved sampling and release methods

Studies were done to determine the effect of 4 fruit ripeness levels on the abundance of Psyttalia fletcheri (Silvestri),a parasitoid of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett). In addition,an improved trapping method was developed for monitoring massreleased adult parasitoids in the field. A total of 420,000 adult P. fletcheri were released over a period of 15 weeks,in a 0.16 ha experimental field plot containing cucumber,zucchini and tomato in Kauai,HI. We recovered significantly more P. fletcheri from rotting fruits of all fruit types than from immature,commercial grade or oversized fruits. In addition,there was a positive correlation between the number of P. fletcheri and B. cucurbitae recovered from rotting fruits. Average parasitism in rotting tomato,zucchini and cucumber was 5,19 and 36% respectively. Yellow pan traps were as effective as sticky sphere traps for monitoring P. fletcheri,indicating that parasitoids were foraging close to the ground where rotting fruits occurred. The pan traps were much easier to use,less expensive and required less set up time. Recovery of parasitoids from both fruit collections and pan traps indicated that P. fletcheri was least abundant in tomato. Both male and female parasitoids exhibited a weakly aggregated distribution in each crop. We discuss modified sampling and release methods for population estimation and augmentative release studies of P. fletcheri.     

Acceptability and suitability of six fruit fly species (Diptera: Tephritidae) for Kenyan strains of Psyttalia concolor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Host acceptability and suitability Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) is a koinobiont, larval parasitoid of tephritid fruit flies. Individuals of P. concolor were field-collected from coffee in the central highlands of Kenya, and cultured initially on Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). They were then examined for their ability to oviposit in and develop on five other tephritid species that are pests in Kenya. In addition to the medfly, acceptability for oviposition and suitability for development were tested against the mango fruit fly, Ceratitis cosyra (Walker), the Natal fruit fly, Ceratitis rosa Karsch, Ceratitis fasciventris (Bezzi), Ceratitis anonae Graham and the melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett). Ceratitis capitata and C. cosyra were accepted as hosts significantly more often than the other species. Superparasitism was recorded only from C. capitata and C. cosyra. Two days after oviposition, parasitoid eggs in C. fasciventris and B. cucurbitae were encapsulated, whereas those in C. rosa and C. anonae were encapsulated, and often melanized. Ceratitis capitata was the most suitable host for Kenyan populations of Psyttalia concolor in terms of progeny production, and proportion of female progeny.     

Serratia marcescens as a rapid indicator of Microctonus hyperodae oviposition activity in Listronotus maculicollis and potential application of the technique to host-specificity testing

Listronotus maculicollis (Dietz) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a potential novel host of the braconid parasitoid Microctonus hyperodae Loan, but initial studies have shown that levels of parasitism are lower than in the natural host L. bonariensis (Kuschel). A novel bacterial indicator test was used to determine whether the lower level of parasitism was due to behavioural factors, lack of oviposition, or host resistance. The incidence of ovipositor penetration by the parasitoid M. hyperodae into adult L. maculicollis was measured by immersing the ovipositor of the parasitoid in the facultative pathogen, Serratia marcescens Bizio. Adult weevils were then exposed to parasitoids for up to 72 h and rapid mortality used as an indicator of oviposition penetration. Survival was assessed after six days and surviving weevils were dissected and examined for parasitoid larvae. Mortality among L. maculicolis exposed to parasitoids treated with S. marcescens was significantly higher (P<0.001) than the controls but significantly lower (P<0.001) than in the natural host, L. bonariensis. Dissection of weevils exposed to uncontaminated parasitoids revealed that parasitism in L. maculicolis was significantly (P<0.001) less than parasitism in L. bonariensis. Serratia marcescens-induced mortality plus parasitism of surviving weevils in the parasitoid plus bacteria treatments produced a similar overall effect. Application of bacteria to the parasitoid ovipositor provided a rapid, simple test for ovipositor penetration, which shows potential for separation of behavioural and physiological defence mechanisms in parasitoid/host range studies.     

Frogs during the flood: Differential behaviours of two amphibian species in a dryland floodplain wetland

Flow regimes structure biotic processes and communities of floodplain wetlands. Most current understanding of the influence of the flood pulse on vertebrates is based on knowledge of relationships between flow regimes and fish and bird populations. Its influence on amphibian populations is poorly known, and possibly difficult to disentangle due to the strong influence of weather on amphibian movement and breeding. We predicted that the behaviour of two functionally different amphibian species would vary due to different physiological constraints and life histories driving habitat use and activity periods. We radio‐tracked 52 frogs, 27 barking marsh frogs (Limnodynastes fletcheri, Limnodynastidae) and 25 green tree frogs (Litoria caerulea, Hylidae), to investigate the influence of weather and flooding on habitat use, size of activity area and nightly movement. Activity area sizes and nightly distances of the species were highly variable. Limnodynastes fletcheri had a greater area of activity during floods (mean area: 5237 ± 2556 (SE) m² cf. 639 ± 247 m² post flood) while the tree frog had a greater area after flooding (207 ± 68 m² cf. 1946 ± 530 m²). Limnodynastes fletcheri movement was little influenced by weather or inundation, with distances slightly restricted by increasing wind speed. However, use of floodplain habitat and coincidental breeding behaviour indicated responsiveness by L. fletcheri to flooding. Litoria caerulea moved further with increasing rainfall and nightly temperatures, seldom used flooded areas and there was no evidence of breeding. Although the flood pulse is the dominant structuring force on the floodplain, its influence varies on amphibian species. Consequently for conservation, L. fletcheri populations may be negatively affected by river regulatory activities, but would respond to environmental flow management, whereas L. caerulea appears unlikely to be affected by river regulation, though the confounding effects of rain and preferred habitat inundation needs exploring.     

Local and spatial dynamics of a host–parasitoid system in a field experiment

Local extinction and colonisation rates are key factors in host–parasitoid metapopulation theory, but experimental evidence from the field is scarce. We studied the host–parasitoid system consisting of the aphid Metopeurum fuscoviride and its specialist parasitoid Lysiphlebus hirticornis. This system is characterised by a patchy distribution of the host plants (Tanacetum vulgare) and by frequent extinctions of local aphid populations. In a first field experiment, we found that the presence of the parasitoid increases the likelihood of extinction of local host populations (=all aphids living on one plant). In a second field experiment, we manipulated the distance between local host populations. Parasitoid colonisation rate strongly decreased with increasing distance between local host populations. Thus, our results show the importance of parasitoids for local host populations extinction and of distance between local host populations for parasitoid colonisation rate, suggesting the importance of spatial processes for host–parasitoid systems in the field.     

Effect of parasitism on flight behavior of the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines

Many aphid species possess wingless (apterous) and winged (alate) stages, both of which can harbor parasitoids at various developmental stages. Alates can either be parasitized directly or can bear parasitoids eggs or larvae resulting from prior parasitism of alatoid nymphs. Winged aphids bearing parasitoid eggs or young larvae eventually still engage in long-distance flights, thereby facilitating parasitoid dispersal. This may have a number of important implications for biological control of aphids by parasitoids. In this study, we determined the effect of parasitism by Aphelinus varipes (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) on wing development and flight of the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae). We also quantified the influence of aphid flight distance on subsequent A. varipes development. Parasitism by A. varipes was allowed at different A. glycines developmental stages (i.e., alatoid 3rd and 4th-instar nymphs, alates) and subsequent aphid flight was measured using a computer-monitored flight mill. Only 35% of aphids parasitized as L3 alatoid nymphs produced normal winged adults compared to 100% of L4 alatoids. Flight performance of aphids parasitized as 4th-instar alatoid nymphs 24 or 48 h prior to testing was similar to that of un-parasitized alates of identical age, but declined sharply for alates that had been parasitized as 4th-instar alatoid nymphs 72 and 96 h prior to testing. Flight performance of aphids parasitized as alate adults for 24 h was not significantly different from un-parasitized alates of comparable ages. Flight distance did not affect parasitoid larval or pupal development times, or the percent mummification of parasitized aphids. Our results have implications for natural biological control of A. glycines in Asia and classical biological control of the soybean aphid in North America.     

Bionomics ofTrioxys indicus [Hym.: Aphidiidae], a parasitoid ofAphis craccivora [Hem.: Aphididae]: 31. Effect of host haemolymph on the numerical response of the parasitoid

The influence of kairomones on the numerical response of the parasitoidTrioxys indicus against its hostAphis craccivora at its varying density was studied. The kairomones (applied as aqueous extract of the host) significantly enhanced the rate of parasitisation and multiplication and the area of discovery of the parasitoid and also the K-values of mortality of the host at all parasitoid densities introduced (1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 parasitoids) into troughs having about 200 hosts. The sex-ratio of F₁ offspring decreased at lower parasitoid densities and remained more or less unchanged at higher parasitoid densities after the application of kairomones. The present findings indicate that if kairomones are applied properly, the number of hosts destroyed by a stimulated parasitoid will be about 200, twice the number reported earlier, thus fewer parasitoids will be needed to regulate an estimated population of the hosts.      

Natural establishment of a parasitoid complex on Bactrocera latifrons (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawaii

Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the most recent of four tephritid fruit fly species accidentally introduced into Hawaii. Although parasitoids have been released against other tephritid fruit fly species and have shown partial success in Hawaii, no parasitoids were released until 2004 to suppress populations of B. latifrons. The present study was conducted to document the parasitoid complex that has naturally established against B. latifrons in Hawaii and to assess whether there is a need for improving the biological control of this species. Based on ripe turkeyberry (Solanum torvum Sw) fruit collections over three consecutive years B. latifrons was the dominant tephritid fruit fly infestating turkeyberry at all four sites surveyed, across three major islands in Hawaii. The overall percentage parasitism of B. latifrons ranged from a low of 0.8% (Hana, Maui) to a high of 8.8% (Kahaluu, Oahu). Five primary parasitoid species were recovered from individually held B. latifrons puparia: Fopius arisanus (Sonan), Psyttalia incisi (Silvestri), Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead), D. tryoni (Cameron), and Tetrastichus giffardianus Silvestri. F. arisanus was the predominant parasitoid at three of the four sites. Low levels of parasitism suggest that there is a need to improve biological control of B. latifrons, to minimize chances of this species causing economic impacts on crop production in Hawaii. We discuss the possibility of improving biological control of B. latifrons through augmentative releases of F. arisanus or introduction and release of specific and efficient new parasitoid species.     

Reciprocal influences and costs of parasitism on the development of Corcyra cephalonica and its endoparasitoid Venturia canescens

Many endoparasitoids develop successfully within a range of host instars. Parasitoid survival is highest when parasitism is initiated in earlier host instars, due to age-related changes in internal (physiological) host defences. Most studies examining fitness-related costs associated with differences in host instar have concentrated on the parasitoid, ignoring the effects of parasitism on the development of surviving hosts that have encapsulated parasitoid eggs. A laboratory experiment was undertaken examining fitness-related costs associated with encapsulation of Venturia canescens (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) eggs by fifth (L5) instar larvae of Corcyra cephalonica (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Growth and development of both host and parasitoid were monitored in C. cephalonica larvae containing 0, 1, 2, or 4 parasitoid eggs. Adult size and fecundity of C. cephalonica did not vary with the number of eggs per host. However, there was a distinct increase in host mortality with egg number, although most parasitoids emerged from hosts containing a single egg. The most dramatic effect on the host was a highly significant increase in development time from parasitism to adult eclosion, with hosts containing 4 parasitoid eggs taking over 2.5 days longer to complete development than unparasitized larvae. The egg-to-adult development time and size of adult V. canescens did not vary with egg number per host, as demonstrated in a previous experiment using a different host (Plodia interpunctella). The results described here show that there are fitness-related costs to the host associated with resistance to parasitism.     

Pteromalus puparum venom impairs host cellular immune responses by decreasing expression of its scavenger receptor gene

Insect host/parasitoid interactions are co-evolved systems in which host defenses are balanced by parasitoid mechanisms to disable or hide from host immune effectors. Although there is a rich literature on these systems, parasitoid immune-disabling mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here we report on a newly discovered immune-disabling mechanism in the Pieris rapae/Pteromalus puparum host/parasitoid system. Because venom injections and parasitization suppresses host phagocytosis, we turned attention to the P. rapae scavenger receptor (Pr-SR), posing the hypothesis that P. puparum venom suppresses expression of the host Pr-SR gene. To test our hypothesis, we cloned a full-length cDNA of the Pr-SR. Multiple sequences alignment showed the deduced amino acid sequence of Pr-SR is similar to scavenger receptors of other lepidopterans. Bacterial and bead injections induced Pr-SR mRNA and protein expression, which peaked at 4 h post-bead injection. Venom injection inhibited Pr-SR expression. Pr-SR was specifically expressed in granulocytes compared to plasmatocytes. We localized the Pr-SR protein in cytoplasm and cellular membrane, with no evidence of secretion into host plasma. Double-strand RNA designed to Pr-SR mRNA silenced expression of Pr-SR and significantly impaired host phagocytosis and encapsulation reactions. Venom injections similarly silenced Pr-SR expression during the first 8 h post-treatment, after which the silencing effects gradually abated. We infer from these findings that one mechanism of impairing P. rapae hemocytic immune reactions is by silencing expression of Pr-SR.     

Oviposition behaviour, influence of experience on host size selection, and niche overlap of the solitary Leptomastix epona and the gregarious Pseudaphycus flavidulus, two endoparasitoids of the mealybug Pseudococcus viburni

Oviposition behaviour and host size selection of the solitary parasitoid Leptomastix epona(Walker) and the gregarious Pseudaphycus flavidulus(Brèthes) [both Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae] were examined on five size classes of the mealybug Pseudococcus viburni(Signoret) [Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae]. The host size classes mostly consisted of one stage (first, second, third instar nymph, young adult and preovipositing adult) and were presented together to wasps of either parasitoid species. Both parasitoid species locate the host by drumming the surface of the patch with the antennae. Leptomastix eponaseems to use mainly the antennae to examine the host but P. flavidulusmay accept or reject a host for oviposition after antennation or insertion of the ovipositor. Leptomastix eponaattempts oviposition in all the host stages from second instar nymphs but P. flavidulusincludes first instar. Both parasitoid species select mainly larger hosts (>1 mm, third instar nymphs) to oviposit but P. flavidulusis able to parasitize more second instar nymphs compared to L. epona. Female wasps of L. eponamay host feed on small mealybugs (second and third instar nymphs) that they do not use for oviposition. Oviposition experience of either parasitoid species for 24 hours does not influence host size selection on patches with hosts of similar mixed sizes. Oviposition decisions are independent of the host sizes of the preceding ovipositions. Implications about stability of a single parasitoid – host system and the success of biological control of the mealybug were discussed in respect of the developmental refugia of the two parasitoid species. Niche overlap of the two parasitoid species was discussed with a view to giving an insight into a single or multiple introduction.