植食性昆虫的学习行为

学习是指因经历不同而导致的行为变化。在植食性昆虫中,学习主要包含习惯性反应、厌恶性学习、联系性学习、敏感性反应和嗜好性诱导等类型。昆虫在幼虫和成虫期都具有学习能力,但幼虫期食料和取食经历不会对成虫行为产生直接影响。昆虫学习行为的表现受其本身食性、寄主刺激物的类别及寄主植物时空分布动态等因子的影响。学习能力有助于植食性昆虫应对复杂多变的植物环境,提高对寄主植物的利用效率,有利于其生存繁衍。对害虫学习行为的了解可为栖境调控、行为调控等害虫治理方法提供重要     

普通大蓟马对寄主植物及其挥发物的行为反应

普通大蓟马Megalurothrips usitatus(Bagnall)是我国华南地区豆科植物上的重要害虫,并已对多种农药产生严重的抗药性,为减少化学农药的使用,探寻基于寄主植物挥发物的化学生态调控技术,针对不同寄主植物及其挥发性信息化合物对普通大蓟马的行为影响进行研究和探讨.本研究采用"Y"型嗅觉仪测定了普通大蓟马对豇豆花和四季豆花的选择行为,在此基础上再利用"Y"型嗅觉仪和四臂嗅觉仪测定了普通大蓟马对不同生理期及不同为害程度的豇豆花的选择行为,筛选该虫的嗜好寄主及其生理状态.分别以正己烷和甲醇作为溶剂,应用顶空动态吸附法和溶剂浸取法提取寄主植物挥发物,利用气相色谱-质谱联用仪(GC-MS)对其成分进行分析和鉴定.通过"Y"型嗅觉仪测定普通大蓟马对上述挥发物的不同浓度的标样及其混配物的行为反应,结果表明豇豆花对普通大蓟马的引诱活性显著高于四季豆花,后续试验进一步表明健康豇豆花对普通大蓟马的引诱效果好于花蕾、虫蕾和虫花.利用GC-MS从普通大蓟马嗜好寄主健康豇豆花中初步鉴定出42个挥发性信息化合物主要化学成分,购买标样对普通大蓟马进行不同浓度的行为活性测定,发现10-4β-石竹烯、10-2植物醇、10-6棕榈酸乙酯和10-6邻二甲苯具极显著的引诱作用,10-4罗勒烯、10-4亚油酸甲酯、10-4棕榈酸甲酯、10-4甲酯、10-62-甲基-3-羟基-4-吡喃酮具极显著的驱避作用,而棕榈酸乙酯在高浓度时表现出驱避作用,低浓度时表现出引诱作用.此外,当邻二甲苯和β-石竹烯、邻二甲苯和棕榈酸乙酯浓度为10-6时,其混配物对普通大蓟马表现出极显著的驱避作用,本试验尚未发现可增强引诱活性的配方.健康豇豆花为普通大蓟马的嗜好寄主,从其挥发性信息化合物中鉴定筛选出一批对普通大蓟马具显著引诱或驱避活性的化合物,为探明普通大蓟马对寄主植物的反应机制提供了信息基础,亦为今后研发高活性引诱剂或驱避剂提供理论基础.     

信息化合物对昆虫行为的影响

本文综述了来自寄主植物的挥发性物质和同种昆虫或异种昆虫释放的各种信息素及两者的协同作用的信息化合物对昆虫行为的影响。特别强调了寄主植物的气味物质和昆虫信息素协同作用在昆虫寻找寄主、求偶、交配及天敌在寄主识别过程中的重要地位。昆虫对寄主植物的识别是由于识别了植物气味的由一定组分、按照严格比例组成的化学指纹图。昆虫信息素与植物挥发性物质相结合为昆虫寻找求偶、交配场所提供更复杂或更全面的信息。许多昆虫只有在寄主植物或寄主植物气味存在时 ,才能释放性或聚集信息素。天敌在寄主识别、搜索及定位等一系列过程中 ,来自寄主的食料、寄主本身及两者的互作的信息化合物起重要的作用。研究信息化合物对昆虫行为的影响可以探索昆虫各种行为的内在机理 ,更好的了解寄主—昆虫—天敌三层营养关系的相互作用 ,对利用天然活性化合物防治害虫及生物防治提供理论依据     

粉蝶盘绒茧蜂中国和荷兰种群学习行为及EAG反应的比较

昆虫的取食危害可导致植物释放的挥发物发生质和量的变化,天敌利用植物在受到植食性昆虫的危害后释放的挥发性物质来寻找寄主,这种植物挥发物在寄生蜂寻找寄主过程中扮演者重要的角色。粉蝶盘绒茧蜂(Cotesia glomerata)是菜粉蝶(pieris rapae)主要的内寄生蜂,是优良的蜂种,在生物防治上具有广阔的应用前景。分别以中国种群和荷兰种群的粉蝶盘绒茧蜂为研究对象,利用Y型嗅觉仪和触角电位(Electroantennogram,EAG)技术,比较了不同地理种群粉蝶盘绒茧蜂雌蜂的学习行为和触角电生理反应差异。旨在明确虫害植株释放的挥发物在两个地理种群中的作用。Y型嗅觉仪试验结果表明,雌蜂不同的学习经历会影响其对寄主植株的趋性行为。没有学习经历的中国种群雌蜂对虫害甘蓝挥发物较虫害紫甘蓝和虫害羽衣甘蓝挥发物表现出更强地趋性行为,无学习经历荷兰种群对虫害甘蓝挥发物同样表现出更强地趋性行为,中国种群3次间隔产卵和3次间隔气味学习使其对经历过的寄主植物挥发物趋性明显提高。荷兰种群3次间隔气味学习也会提高该蜂对经历寄主挥发物的趋性。EAG试验结果显示,两个地理种群雌蜂对所测定三类挥发物(体积比10-1)的反应强弱依次为:C6化合物>脂肪族化合物>萜类化合物;且在所测定的6种化合物剂量范围内,两个地理种群雌蜂均与trans-2--己醛和乙酸己酯(体积比10-4—10-1),壬醛、月桂烯和里那醇(体积比10-4—10-2)化合物的活性成正相关。结果表明,中国和荷兰种群雌蜂均表现出较为一致的学习能力和电生理反应。研究显示粉蝶盘绒茧蜂雌蜂可能利用甘蓝挥发物作为利它素而寻觅适宜的寄主,学习经历会明显提高该蜂对经历的寄主挥发物的趋性的行为。实验结果为菜粉蝶的生物防治提供理论基础。     

B型烟粉虱对23种寄主植物适应度的评估和聚类分析

本文利用前期开发的两个寄主植物适应度评估模型对B型烟粉虱能够完成发育的23种寄主进行了寄主适应度评估,并对评估结果进行了聚类分析,分析结果显示供试烟粉虱种群存在明显的寄主偏好性,黄瓜与甘蓝为嗜好寄主,繁殖力大,若虫成活率高,非常有利于烟粉虱的种群发育;而其它寄主在营养状况、物理性状及次生化合物的综合作用下,烟粉虱的寄主植物适应度变化较大且整体低于嗜好寄主,结果暗示烟粉虱的寄主生态位可能存在从核心到周缘的分层现象。比较了两个评估模型的分析结果,虽然在低层聚类中存在差异,但高层聚类的结果趋于一致。     

大豆蚜在寄主与非寄主植物上的口针刺吸行为

用EPG记录法记录了大豆蚜Aphis glycines Matsunra在寄主和非寄主植物上的口针刺吸行为。结果表明,大豆蚜在寄主大豆植物的韧皮部取食时间长,而在非寄主棉花、黄瓜和丝瓜植物韧皮部取食时间甚短或根本未取食;非寄主植物内部对大豆蚜的侵害存在抗性,影响取食的因素和其所在部位因非寄主植物种类的不同而不同。     

斑痣悬茧蜂寄主搜索中的学习行为

利用风洞技术研究了斑痣悬茧蜂不同阶段的经历对其寄主甜菜夜蛾搜索行为的影响.结果表明:寄生蜂幼期发育到羽化早期所经历的植物对其成虫搜索行为具有一定的影响,在供试的大豆、棉花和白菜等3种植物中,只有大豆-寄主幼虫复合体对无经验寄生蜂的行为反应具有显著影响.寄生蜂1次产卵经历对后续搜索行为的影响取决于饲养寄主幼虫的植物种类,只有在大豆和白菜上的产卵经历对后续搜索行为产生显著影响,即明显偏好经历过的植物;对于在不同植物上经历2次产卵的寄生蜂,后续搜索行为反应取决于植物种类及其顺序,若2次产卵经历发生在大豆与白菜之间,无论顺序先后,后续行为反应均偏好大豆-寄主幼虫复合体;但若2次产卵经历发生在大豆与棉花之间,只有当第2次为大豆时,后续行为反应显著偏好大豆-寄主幼虫复合体;若2次寄生经历发生在棉花与白菜之间,只有当第2次经历为白菜时,后续行为反应显著偏好白菜-寄主幼虫复合体.根据研究结果推断,斑痣悬茧蜂幼期发育、成虫早期羽化的经历、成虫产卵经历对后续搜索行为具有显著影响,而且这种影响与寄主幼虫的食料植物有关.     

光肩星天牛与星天牛种间竞争行为研究

光肩星天牛Anoplophora glabripennis和星天牛Anoplophora chinensis是我国两种重要的林业蛀干害虫,存在很多共同的寄主植物。为了阐明两种星天牛之间的物种竞争关系,本文采用行为观察试验,研究两种星天牛寄主危害部位、异种危害寄主识别和种间争斗行为等试验。结果显示,光肩星天牛和星天牛在寄主植物上的取食危害部位有很大差异,光肩星天牛主要取食寄主植物的枝条上部,取食面积为2 390.0 mm^2,占整个寄主植物取食面积的69.3%,星天牛主要取食寄主植物的树干上部,取食面积为3 140.0 mm^2,占整个寄主植物的96.6%;两种星天牛都能识别异种天牛危害过的寄主,对其具有显著的回避性,其中光肩星天牛对星天牛危害过的寄主取食量平均值为420.8 mm^2,显著低于健康寄主取食量平均值2 518.8 mm^2,同样,星天牛对光肩星天牛危害过的寄主取食量平均值为436.8 mm^2,显著低于健康寄主取食量平均值1 803.5 mm^2,而对同种天牛危害过的寄主没有显著的选择性;两种星天牛之间争斗共发生34次,其中星天牛获胜30次,表现出更强的竞争力。两种星天牛之间存在显著的种间竞争关系,并且能够识别对方物种的存在,其对寄主的感受机制和植物免疫反应机制需要进一步的试验研究。     

非嗜食寄主气味蛹期处理对不同寄主来源美洲斑潜蝇雌成虫嗅觉定向的影响

测定用菜豆和丝瓜饲养的美洲斑潜蝇Liriomyza sativae Blanchard蛹暴露于用正己烷稀释的番茄或南瓜叶片挥发性抽提物(TLE或PLE)72h后,羽化雌成虫在Y形嗅觉仪中对TLE或PLE的定向率、平均反应时间以及对正己烷的定向率和平均反应时间,比较幼虫寄主经历和寄主气味对美洲斑潜蝇成虫嗅觉记忆的影响。结果表明,蛹期使用非嗜食寄主植物气味处理,能增加美洲斑潜蝇羽化雌成虫对非嗜食寄主气味的定向;幼虫期的寄主经历对处理后的成虫嗅觉定向也产生影响,饲喂丝瓜的美洲斑潜蝇蛹期处理后,羽化雌成虫显著偏向选择处理气味而非正己烷,饲喂菜豆的美洲斑潜蝇对南瓜的气味也表现出同样的特点,但对番茄的气味则相反,即使处理后对番茄气味的选择比率增加,仍然偏向选择正己烷。     

桑天牛卵长尾啮小蜂的寄主选择定位行为

本文对桑天牛卵长尾啮小蜂Aprostocetus prolixus LaSalle et Huang的寄主选择定位行为进行了系统研究。已有研究表明,寄主植物-寄主昆虫复合体释放的挥发物对寄生蜂有显著的引诱作用。为了查明寄主植物 寄主昆虫复合体中挥发性引诱物质的来源,对不同处理桑枝（正常桑枝、机械损伤桑枝、系统枝、桑天牛Apriona germari（Hope）咬食和产卵桑枝）、桑天牛虫粪及雌雄两性桑天牛所释放的挥发物分别进行了测定。结果显示：不同处理桑枝对寄生蜂都具有显著的引诱作用,而且产卵桑枝的引诱活性最大;桑天牛虫粪的气味对寄生蜂有引诱活性,而雌、雄桑天牛体表挥发物对寄生蜂的引诱效果不明显。桑天牛爬行痕迹对寄生蜂的微栖境接受行为没有影响,而桑天牛虫粪中的信息物质在寄生蜂的微栖境接受过程中起着重要作用。寄生蜂对产卵桑枝段的选择几率明显高于正常桑枝段和咬食桑枝段,而对不同植物上产卵刻槽的选择没有差异; 刻槽表面存在着与此卵寄生蜂寄主识别相关的信息物质。     

The role of plant chemical cues in determining host preference in the generalist aphid parasitoid Aphidius colemani

The host preference behaviour of the generalist aphid parasitoid Aphidius colemaniwas investigated using a Y-tube olfactometer. Female A. colemanishowed a preference for the host-plant complex on which they had been reared, even though the same aphid host was involved, demonstrating a host plant preference. This preference was not evident when the parasitoids were dissected from their mummies prior to adult emergence. Host plant preference exhibited during host selection appeared to be induced by chemical cues encountered on the mummy case at the time of emergence, but preferences could be changed by subsequent foraging experiences. It is concluded that plant chemical cues play a major role in determining initial preferences through a process of emergence conditioning but that learning processes, involving cues encountered during oviposition in or contact with the host, can modify these initial preferences.     

二化螟绒茧蜂对二化螟及其寄主植物挥发物的趋性反应

利用Y-型嗅觉仪研究了二化螟绒茧蜂Cotesia chilonis对寄主植物（水稻或茭白）、二化螟Chilo suppressalis幼虫、虫粪及虫害苗挥发物的行为反应。健康植株、二化螟幼虫和虫粪的挥发物对二化螟绒茧蜂具有显著引诱作用。在虫害苗与健康苗挥发物之间,二化螟绒茧蜂显著地偏好虫害苗,但当去除虫害苗中的幼虫和虫粪后,寄生蜂对去虫苗与机械损伤苗的选择无显著差异;在虫害苗与有虫健康苗之间,寄生蜂显著趋向虫害苗,表明虫害苗本身释放的挥发物对二化螟绒茧蜂引诱作用与机械损伤苗无显著差异,但与二化螟幼虫或虫粪挥发物之间可能具有协同增效作用。水稻苗经机械损伤或损伤后以二化螟幼虫唾液处理,其挥发物对二化螟绒茧蜂的引诱作用无显著改变。二化螟绒茧蜂对不同为害程度水稻挥发物的选择无显著差异。二化螟绒茧蜂对两种寄主植物的健康苗、虫害苗、取食两种植物的幼虫及虫粪的挥发物的选择无显著差异。结果表明,二化螟绒茧蜂栖境定位和寄主选择过程中所利用的挥发物主要来自寄主植物、二化螟幼虫和虫粪以及虫害苗与幼虫和虫粪的协同作用。     

Adult female and neonate larval plant preferences of the generalist herbivore, Epiphyas postvittana

The polyphagous leafroller moth, Epiphyas postvittana, is a pest of many fruit crops in New Zealand. Since the larva is highly mobile, host selection in this insect may involve both the adult female and the larva. In order to test the relative importance of the adult female and the neonate larva in the selection of host plants, the ovipositional preferences of females, and the preferences or acceptances of neonate larvae towards 26 plant species, consisting of 15 plants considered hosts and 11 not considered hosts, were investigated. In the ovipositional tests, the mean preferences of females for hosts and non-hosts were very similar. In contrast, larvae showed a significantly greater mean preference or acceptance towards hosts than to non-hosts, in both choice and no-choice bioassays, respectively. There were highly significant correlations between the preferences and acceptances of larvae for plants in the choice and no-choice tests. In the no-choice tests, there was a highly significant correlation between the acceptances of neonate larvae towards plants after one and three days (i.e., acceptances changed little over time). Moreover, in these no-choice tests, there was a significant negative correlation between larval acceptance at 1 day and larval mortality after 3 days; that is, the less acceptable a given plant at 1 day, the more likely larvae would fail to establish, feed, and survive on it by three days. Female and larval preferences towards the various plants were also negatively correlated. Together, these data suggest that the selection of a plant for the neonate larva to feed on is largely governed by the preferences of the larva, rather than by the preferences of the female. However, selection of a plant for oviposition by the female, may be important in host selection for reasons unrelated to larval preferences, for example, by encouraging dispersal, perhaps to other plant species, of the neonate larvae and thereby decreasing intersibling competition.     

Effects of specialist parasitoids on oviposition preference of phytophagous insects: encounter–dilution effects in a tritrophic interaction

Abstract.  1. Host plant preferences of the female diamondback moth Plutella xylostella were studied.
2. Female moths preferred conspecific-damaged cabbage plants over undamaged cabbage plants. The performance of P. xylostella larvae on conspecific-infested plants did not differ significantly from that of larvae on undamaged plants.
3.  Cotesia plutellae , the specialist parasitoid wasp of P. xylostella larvae, displayed equal preference for plants with differing levels of host-larvae damage, and the wasp attacked only one or two hosts on average before leaving an infested plant, irrespective of the number of hosts on the plant. It is hypothesised that the oviposition preferences of P. xylostella females for host plants already damaged by conspecific larvae demonstrate an encounter–dilution effect against C. plutellae .     

Male and female Trybliographa rapae (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) behavioural responses to food plant, infested host plant and combined volatiles

Many parasitoids use volatiles produced by plants as important cues during their food and host search process. We investigated the attraction of the parasitic wasp Trybliographa rapae Westwood (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) to volatiles emitted from plants infested by the cabbage root fly Delia radicum L. (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), as well as to volatiles from a nectar food plant. Behavioural choice tests showed that male parasitoids were not attracted to any volatiles from plants infested by D. radicum or from nectar plants, while females showed clear attraction to both volatile sources. Young females were more attracted to combined volatiles of host and food plants over those from only the host plant, whereas older females showed no differences in attraction to the two odour sources. This suggests that intercropping attractive flowers with host plants could potentially be used to recruit newly emerged parasitoids from surrounding fields while older parasitoids invest more energy in host location than in additional food search. Volatiles from a whole infested plant were chosen over those emitted from separated above- and below-ground parts from infested plants. It is important to consider the availability of both energy and host resources for parasitoids when designing an eco-compatible management of a vegetable crop system.     

Host‐searching responses to herbivory‐associated chemical information and patch use depend on mating status of female solitary parasitoid wasps

1. In a tritrophic interaction system consisting of plants, herbivores, and their parasitoids, chemicals released from plants after herbivory are known to play important roles for many female parasitoids to find their hosts efficiently. On the plant side, chemical information associated with herbivory can act as an indirect defence by attracting the natural enemies of the host herbivores. 2. However, mated and virgin females of haplodiploid parasitoids might not necessarily respond to such chemical cues in the same way. Since virgin females can produce only sons, they might refrain from searching for hosts to invest eggs until copulation, in order to produce both sexes. 3. Here, we investigated differential host‐searching behaviours shown by mated and virgin females in the solitary parasitoid wasp, Cotesia vestalis, in response to herbivory‐associated chemical information from cruciferous plants infested by their host larvae, Plutella xylostella. 4. Mated females showed a significantly higher flight preference for host‐infested plants over intact plants, while no preference was observed with virgin females. Mated females also showed more intensive antennal searching and ovipositor probing behaviours to leaf squares with wounds caused by hosts than did virgin females. Furthermore, mated females stayed longer in host patches with higher parasitism rates than virgin females. 5. These results indicate that mating status of C. vestalis females clearly influences their host‐searching behaviour in response to herbivory‐associated chemical information and patch exploitation. Female parasitoids seem to forage for hosts depending on their own physiological condition in a tritrophic system.     

Host plant selection behaviour of Chilo partellus and its implication for effectiveness of a trap crop

Female lepidopterans can display a hierarchy of preference among potential host species, a trait thought to arise from the balance between attractants and deterrents to which the insects respond. Host plant ranking by moths and larvae of Chilo partellus Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), an important pest of cereals in Africa, was investigated, and whether eggs deposited on specific host plants yield larvae of particular host preferences. Trap plants are used in management of this pest. However, any ‘disagreement’ in host ranking between moths and larvae could potentially reduce effectiveness of trap crops as larvae emigrate to the main crop from the parent’s preferred trap plant. We also investigated whether host plant preference is influenced by the diet upon which larvae fed as part of an integrated assessment of the relationship between host plant selection and learning in C. partellus. Five host plants (all Poaceae) were used: maize (Zea mays L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor Moench), Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach), and two varieties of signal grass [Brachiaria brizantha (A. Rich.) Stapf], viz., local (henceforth signal grass) and improved (‘Mulato’). In multiple choice tests, C. partellus female moths preferentially oviposited on Napier grass, followed by sorghum, maize, and signal grass, and least preferred ‘Mulato’. Larvae however equally orientated and settled on leaf cuts of maize, sorghum, signal grass, and Napier grass, but least preferred ‘Mulato’. Moreover, eggs from specific host plants did not yield larvae of particular host preferences. Furthermore, oviposition preference was not altered by the larval food. These results imply only a slight ‘disagreement’ in host ranking behaviour between moths and larvae, which is beneficial for trap cropping as larvae would not ‘reject’ the trap plant and appreciably disperse to the neighboring plants. Moreover, absence of larval learning behaviour indicates that regardless of the larval food C. partellus moths would still be attracted to the selected trap plant.     

Differential attraction of parasitoids in relation to specificity of kairomones from herbivores and their by‐products

Infochemicals are used by foraging parasitoids in the host selection process from habitat preference until host recognition. Kairomones from the herbivore host plays a vital role in the attraction of parasitoids, particularly in the micro‐habitat. Parasitoids are specifically attracted to their respective herbivore species even when different herbivores are present on the same plant. Chemicals emitted from different stages of host (eggs, larvae, pupae, adult), host by‐products (e.g., frass, exuviae, mandibular gland secretions, defense secretions etc.), or intra‐specific infochemicals (pheromones) can be main signals for the parasitoids. Parasitoids can differentiate between host and non‐host, between different hosts and host stages by perceiving specific volatile and contact kairomones from the host itself, host along with its by‐product, by‐products alone or intra‐specific infochemicals; of which frass (by‐product) and intra‐specific infochemicals are the most reported ones. Adult and larval parasitoids have been reported to be attracted to kairomones of their target stage or byproduct of their host. Pupal parasitoids have been found to utilize kairomones from the preceding host stage while egg parasitoids are known to exploit a variety of host infochemicals, for example, either from eggs themselves or other non‐target host stages, especially adults and adult‐related by‐products. The kairomonal chemicals identified so far include various groups, but mainly hydrocarbons. A high degree of host specificity and host acceptance is important for the parasitoids as any mistake may result in the loss of fitness.     

Tri-trophic consequences of UV-B exposure: plants,herbivores and parasitoids

In this paper we demonstrate a UV-B-mediated link between host plants, herbivores and their parasitoids, using a model system consisting of a host plant Brassica oleracea, a herbivore Plutella xylostella and its parasitoid Cotesia plutellae. Ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B) is a potent elicitor of a variety of changes in the chemistry, morphology and physiology of plants and animals. Recent studies have demonstrated that common signals, such as jasmonic acid (JA), play important roles in the mechanisms by which plants respond to UV-B and to damage by herbivores. Plant responses elicited by UV-B radiation can affect the choices of ovipositing female insects and the fitness of their offspring. This leads to the prediction that, in plants, the changes induced as a consequence of UV damage will be similar to those elicited in response to insect damage, including knock-on effects upon the next trophic level, predators. In our trials female P. xylostella oviposited preferentially on host plants grown in depleted UV-B conditions, while their larvae preferred to feed on tissues from UV-depleted regimes over those from UV-supplemented ones. Larval feeding patterns on UV-supplemented tissues met the predictions of models which propose that induced defences in plants should disperse herbivory; feeding scars were significantly smaller and more numerous – though not significantly so – than those on host plant leaves grown in UV-depleted conditions. Most importantly, female parasitoids also showed a clear pattern of preference when given the choice between host plants and attendant larvae from the different UV regimes; however, in the case of the female parasitoids, the choice was in favour of potential hosts foraging on UV-supplemented tissues. This study demonstrates the potential for UV-B to elicit a variety of interactions between trophic levels, most likely mediated through effects upon host plant chemistry.     

Host-seeking behavior and parasitism by Spathius agrili Yang (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of the emerald ash borer

Spathius agrili Yang (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a newly described and important idiobiont ectoparasitoid of the emerald ash borer (EAB) that has excellent potential as a biological control agent against EAB populations in the USA. In order to understand the ecological factors involved in the search and discovery of concealed hosts by S. agrili, we investigated the behavioral responses of adult female wasps to potential semiochemicals from host plants, hosts, and host frass as well as to vibration signals from host feeding and movement. Using a bioassay, we showed that S. agrili first finds the host’s habitats by detecting the volatile compounds emitted by ash. In the second phase of host location and acceptance, the parasitoids detect the mechanical vibrations produced by host feeding and movement under the surface of the bark and then probe to find the EAB larvae. Contact chemicals seem to play little or no role in short-range host finding. Female wasps avoided laying eggs on EAB larvae already parasitized and thus paralyzed. We hypothesized that female wasps were not attracted to these larvae due to their lack of feeding or movement. While an induced paralysis in the host is instrumental in avoiding superparasitism, we cannot rule out that S. agrili females also use an oviposition pheromone to deter conspecific females. Together, these results suggest that vibration and olfactory cues play significant roles in distinct phases of S. agrili host habitat and host location behaviors.