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.      

Effect of parasitoid density on the functional response and sex ratio of a cynipoid hyperparasitoidAlloxysta pleuralis [Hym.: Alloxystidae]

Experiment where variable densities (1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 150) of the parasitoid (5–7 d postparasitised aphids (Aphis craccivora Koch). — parasitised by aphidiid parasitoidTrioxys indicus Subba Rao & Sharma) were exposed to individual hyperparasitoidAlloxysta pleuralis (Cameron) indicated following: (1) with increase of initial host (primary parasitoid) densities the number of hosts hyperparasitised increases sigmoidally reaching to a plateau at 50 host similar to thetype 3 functional response of Holling; the curve was described by a logistic eqution [N_hyp=44.0/(1+exp (4.0–0.16 N_p))], (2) greater host mortality was recorded at lower initial host densityes (≤50); (3) the area of discovery of the hyperparasitoid is inversely density-dependent at higher host densities (≥25); and (4) the variation in host number has no significant influence on the sex ratio of F₁ offspring of the hyperparasitoid which ranges between 0.56–0.67. The implications of these responses of the hyperparasitoidA. pleuralis are discussed.      

不同生物型棉蚜对夏寄主葫芦科作物的选择

于2008、2009年连续两年采用模拟田间自然扩散法,系统地研究了棉花型棉蚜和甜瓜型棉蚜有翅蚜对11种夏寄主的选择性.结果表明,棉花型棉蚜对杂交葫芦、小西葫芦表现出强选择性及适应性,而对香瓜、黄瓜、西瓜及甜瓜均不选择,或即使选择其若蚜在其上也不能存活;甜瓜型棉蚜对甜瓜、香瓜、南瓜、黄西葫芦、大西葫芦、杂交葫芦等均表现较强选择性,而对棉花及小西葫芦表现不选择.但是,甜瓜型棉蚜在小西葫芦上也能产若蚜并存活.从而证明小西葫芦是两种寄主型棉蚜的共同寄主,有可能成为两者相互转换的桥梁寄主.     

Bionomics of Alloxysta pleuralis, a cynipoid hyperparasitoid of an aphidiid parasitoid Trioxys indicus

Alloxysta pleuralis parasitizes the larvae of Trioxys indicus, a parasitoid of Aphis craccivora. Either of the sexes of this hyperparasitoid (A. pleuralis) was ready to mate shortly after emergence. During courtship the females carried the males on the top of her back for 2–3 min. Although the hyperparasitoid is obligatory, a similar, typical oviposition exploration pattern takes place on healthy aphids, however, then the eggs are laid only in parasitized aphids in the haemocoel of the larvae of the parasitoid. The life-cycle takes about a month. Superhyperparasitism was commonly observed. Adults survived for 4–13 days.

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Résumé Alloxysta pleuralis, est un endohyperparasitoïde des larves de Trioxys indicus, parasite du puceron Aphis craccivora. Les deux sexes d'A. pleuralis sont aptes à l'accouplement peu après l'émergence (10–30 min). La femelle est passive pendant la pariade. Elle porte le mâle sur son dos pendant 2 à 3 min. La copulation dure 30 sec. Bien que l'espèce soit hyperparasite obligatoire, le comportement exploratoire de ponte s'observe sur les pucerons non-parasités. Cependant les oeufs ne sont pondus qu'à l'intérieur des pucerons parasités, dans l'haemocoele des larves de troisième stade de T. indicus. Les adultes ne s'alimentent pas sur l'hôte, mais sur le miellat des pucerons. Le cycle dure environ un mois. On observe souvent du superhyperparasitisme. Les adultes vivent de 4 à 13 jours.

     

Host-acceptance behaviour of Alloxysta pleuralis, a cynipoid hyperparasitoid of an aphidiid parasitoid Trioxys indicus on aphids

Alloxysta pleuralis parasitizes the larvae of Trioxys indicus, a parasitoid of Aphis craccivora. The pattern of host-searching of A. pleuralis was random regarding the host-stage. Earlier second instar to early fourth instar larvae of T. indicus within the haemocoel of the living aphid were found susceptible for attack, however, the third instar larvae were more parasitized. The rate of oviposition was very low (8.5 eggs/h). The number of pricks into the aphid was significantly more for the aphids that contained susceptible stages of the potential host. The occurrence of superhyperparasitism was lower when the hyperparasitoids were offered a choice of all host stages than were offered no-choice.

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Résumé A. pleuralis est un hyperparasitoïde endophage de Trioxys indicus, parasitoïde d'Aphis craccivora, puceron de Cajanus cajan. Bien que les larves de T. indicus soient susceptibles d'être attaquées du début du second stade au début du quatrième stade, celles du troisième stade sont nettement préférées. L'absence de fifférence entre les fréquences de visites et de contacts avec les hôtes de différents stades a montré que le comportement de prospection de A. pleuralis s'effectue au hasard. Cependant, la fréquence des piqûres/hôte est significativement supérieure chez lez hôtes préférés, ce qui donne une indication sur le fait que A. pleuralis pique un puceron pour rechercher un hôte potentiel. Il est possible que la femelle perçoive la présence de l'hôte dans le puceron en décelant avec les récepteurs sensoiriels de sa tarière les changements physiologiques caractéristiques du puceron parasité, et qu'elle les utilise pour piquer à répétition le puceron jusqu'à ce qu'elle trouve l'hôte potentiel. Le superhyperparasitisme était relativement faible et plus fréquent dans les expériences où l'hyperparasite n'avait pas de choix.

     

Predation byCheilomenes vicina [Coleoptera: Coccinellidae] on the cowpea aphid,Aphis craccivora [Homoptera: Aphididae]: Effect of prey stage and density

Consumption of larvae and females ofAphis craccivora Koch by 1st and 4th larvae and adults ofCheilomenes vicina (Muls.) was studied under fluctuating temperature (24–30°C). The early aphid instars were consumed in significantly greater numbers than later instars and females. The feeding rates ofC. vicina were significantly positively correlated with the population density of prey. The number of prey consumed daily by each predator stage tested, increased more steeply at lower than at higher prey densities, exhibiting thus the type 2 functional response

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Résumé Consommation des larves et des ♀ d'Aphis craccivora par les11^e stades, les 4^e stades et les adultes deCheilomenes vicina a été étudiée à une température variant de 24 à 30°C. Les jeunes stades du puceron sont consommés en nombre plus grand significativement que les derniers stades et les ♂. Les taux d'alimentation deC. vicina manifestent une corrélation hautement significative avec la densité de population de la proie. Le nombre de proies consommées quotidiennement par chaque stade considéré du prédateur augmentait plus brusquement aux faibles qu'aux fortes densités de proies, manifestant ainsi chez le prédateur le type 2 de réponse fonctionnelle.

     

Introduction and establishment ofTrioxys pallidus [Hym.: Aphidiidae] in Oregon,U.S.A. for control of filbert aphidMyzocallis coryli [Hom.: Aphididae]

Hazelnut orchards in Spain, France, and Italy were searched for parasitoids of the filbert aphid,Myzocallis coryli (Goetze). A biotype ofTrioxys pallidus Haliday was found to parasitize the aphid throughout western Europe. Wasps were imported, quarantined, mass-reared, and released in Oregon orchards. The wasp successfully attacked and completed its development on Oregon populations of the filbert aphid. A greenhouse culture of the parasitoid was maintained continuously for over 50 generations, and approximately 30,000 adult wasps were released in western Oregon. Overwintering survival has been documented in at least 12 different locations. In 3 commercial hazelnut orchards, the parasitoids proved capable of reducing aphid population peaks by 33–48%.      

Suitability ofDacus dorsalis andCeratitis capitata [Diptera: Tephritidae] as hosts of the parasitoid,Biosteres arisanus [Hymenoptera: Braconidae]

Biosteres arinsanus (Sonan) (=B. oophilus Fullaway) showed a strong preference forDacus dorsalis Hendel overCeratitis capitata (Wiedemann) in choice tests using papaya fruits infested with eggs of both hosts in laboratory studies. In laboratory and field studiesD. dorsalis was the most suitable host. A total of 13,871 parasitoids was produced fromD. dorsalis infested fruits compared with 2,772 fromC. capitata infested fruits.      

Oviposition behaviour ofEphedrus cerasicola [Hym.: Aphidiidae] parasitizing different instars of its aphid host

The parasitoidEphedrus cerasicola Starý oviposited in all 4 nymphal instars and in newly moulted adults ofMyzus persicae (Sulzer). The different host categories were offered with no choice. The duration of an oviposition increased with the age of nymphs, being about 13, 18, 21, 22, and 17 s from 1 st instars to adults, respectively. Observations of number of stabbing attacks prior to oviposition, percent of the encounters not resulting in oviposition, time from first encounter to oviposition, handling time and aphid defensive behaviour also indicated that 1 st instarM. persicae are most easily parasitized. The behaviour ofE. cerasicola in encounters with unparasitized and parasitized hosts, suggested that the parasitoid could discriminate. In encounters with parasitized 1 st to 4th instar aphids,E. cerasicola used only the antennae in 80% of the encounters that resulted in discrimination.     

The influence of prior ovipositional experience on host selection in four species of aphidiid wasps (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae)

We evaluated the influence of prior ovipositional experience on host selection in four solitary parasitoids, Aphidius erviHaliday, A. pisivorusSmith, A. smithiSharma & Subba Rao, and Praon pequodorumViereck (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae). When provided simultaneously with equal numbers of two species of aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum(Harris) and Macrosiphum creeliiDavis (Homoptera: Aphididae), all four parasitoids showed a moderate to strong preference for A. pisum.This preference did not increase after sampling, except in P. pequodorum.Learning did not alter host selection behavior in A. erviand P. pequodorum.However, females of A. pisivorusconditioned on A. pisumselected fewer M. creeliithan unconditioned wasps and wasps conditioned on M. creelii.It is suggested that prior ovipositional experience influences a parasitoid's expectations of the kinds of hosts available, but it does not alter the (innate) rank order of hosts.     

Asymmetric size effect of sexes on reproductive fitness in an aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae)

Most studies on size–fitness relationships focus on females and neglect males. Here, we investigated how body size of both sexes of an aphid parasitoid, Aphidius ervi Haliday, affected the reproductive fitness. Reproductive fitness was generally positively correlated with body size for both sexes in this species. Large individuals of both sexes had greater longevity, large males fathered more progeny, and large females had higher fecundity, parasitism, and greater ability in host searching and handling. We demonstrated in this study that size effects of males and females were asymmetric on different reproductive fitness parameters. With increasing body size females gained more than males in longevity and fecundity while males gained more than females in the number of female progeny. Regardless of female size, large males sustained a female-biased population longer than small males. These results suggest that male body size should also be considered in the quality control of mass-rearing programs and the evaluation of parasitoid population growth.     

The effect of fungus infection ofMetopolophium dirhodum [Hom.: Aphididae] on the oviposition behaviour of the aphid parasitoidAphidius rhopalosiphi [Hym.: Aphidiidae]

The oviposition behaviour of the hymenopterous parasitoidAphidius rhopalosiphi onMetopolophium dirhodum nymphs at successive stages of infection with the aphid-pathogenic fungusErynia neoaphidis was compared with that on uninfected nymphs. The frequency with which the parasitoid attempted to oviposit diminished in aphids inoculated with the fungus 3 days previously, that is within only 24 h of dying of the infection, but not in those infected only 1 or 2 days previously. The parasitoid did not attempt to oviposit in aphids killed by the fungus.      

Influence of host behavior and host size on the success of oviposition ofCotesia urabae andDolichogenidea eucalypti (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Behavioral interactions among Cotesia urabaeAustin and Allen, Dolichogenidea eucalyptiAustin and Allen (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and their host Uraba lugensWalker, the gum leaf skeletonizer (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), were observed at three host sizes over a 20-min period. These sizes were first instar (small, gregarious), fourth-fifth instar (mid, gregarious), sixth-seventh instar (large, solitary) larvae. Unlike C. urabae, D. eucalyptiused its legs to hold small larvae before ovipositor insertion. D. eucalyptialso visited patches of small larvae more frequently, proceeded less often through patches of mid larvae, and made significantly fewer ovipositions in mid and large larvae. Small larvae responded to both parasitoids by dispersing outward, while mid larvae responded to parasitoids by moving inward to form a denser group. Larvae reared or thrashed after each parasitoid visit, especially mid larvae, and some continued to do so for up to 2h after parasitoid departure. Mid and large larvae occasionally injured parasitoids by biting their appendages. By rearing or thrashing immediately prior to an encounter with a parasitoid, mid and large larvae decreased the likelihood of being parasitized by up to 50%.     

Functional response of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae) in the Laboratory

Stage specific functional response of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) to varying densities of Aphis gossypii Glover was examined in a simplified cucumber leaf arena under laboratory conditions. All stages of H. axyridis were isolated individually for 24 h with different prey densities at 25 °C and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. The number of prey consumed by the predator was checked at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. All stages of H. axyridis showed a Type II functional response. Based on the random predator equation, estimated attack rates of H. axyridis at 24 h were 0.0037, 0.0442, 0.3590, 0.3228, and 0.1456, and estimated handling times were 4.1001, 2.4575, 0.7500, 0.2132, and 0.1708 h for the first, second, third, and fourth instars, and female adult, respectively.     

烟蚜茧蜂寄生对烟蚜生长发育和繁殖的影响

【目的】为探究烟蚜茧蜂Aphidius gifuensis对烟蚜Myzus persicae寄生后烟蚜生长发育和繁殖影响及其在烟蚜防控中的作用。【方法】采用室内叶片培养皿法,测定了不同龄期烟蚜(1-4龄若蚜及成蚜)被烟蚜茧蜂寄生后烟蚜当代(F₀)及后代(F₁)的发育历期、寿命、产仔量。【结果】烟蚜1龄若蚜被烟蚜茧蜂寄生后,1龄若蚜历期受到显著影响,较未被寄生对照缩短了0.65 d (33.00%),而2-4龄若蚜期和成蚜历期未受显著影响;2龄若蚜被寄生后,4龄若蚜和成蚜历期均受到显著影响,较未被寄生的对照分别缩短了1.50 d (100.00%)和0.83 d (100.00%),而2和3龄若蚜期未受显著影响;3龄若蚜被寄生后,4龄若蚜和成蚜期均受到显著影响,较未被寄生对照分别缩短了1.50 d (100.00%)和0.83 d (100.00%),而3龄若蚜期未受显著影响。2龄若蚜被寄生后烟蚜的寿命和产仔量均受到显著影响,寿命较未被寄生对照缩短了8.39 d(54.00%),每雌产仔量较未被寄生对照减少了48.67头(100.00%)。此外,2-3龄若蚜被寄生后其后代(F₁)1龄若蚜历期受影响最大,较未被寄生烟蚜后代1龄若蚜期缩短了0.80 d(40.00%),其F₁代平均寿命较未被寄生烟蚜后代平均寿命延长了5.72 d(41.20%),但其产仔量与对照差异不显著。【结论】不同龄期烟蚜被烟蚜茧蜂寄生后,其发育历期和寿命比未被寄生的缩短,产仔量比被未寄生的少,但其F₁代平均寿命比未被寄生后代烟蚜的长且其产仔量未受显著影响。当代2龄若蚜期是控制烟蚜增长的关键时期。这些结果对确定烟蚜茧蜂防治烟蚜适期及认识其机理具有重要参考意义。     

Influence of dietary nicotine and colony source ofManduca sexta [Lepidoptera: Sphingidae] on its suitability as a host ofCotesia congregata [Hymenoptera: Braconidae]

Larval tobacco hornworms,Manduca sexta (L.), of 2 different colonies were exposed to parasitism by the gregarious endoparasitoid,Cotesia congregata (Say). A comparison was made of parasitoid larval, pre-pupal, and pupal mortality, female and male dry weight and larval development time. In general, “Maryland” hornworms were more suitable hosts than “North Carolina” hornworms. Although the presence of dietary nicotine increased parasitoid mortality in individuals reared from hornworms of both colonies, the effect was more severe among individuals parasitizing the North Carolina hornworms. Scientific contribution No. 8125, article No. A-5066 of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, Department of Entomology.     

稻虱红单节螯蜂寄生不同虫龄白背飞虱对二者发育表现的影响

【目的】为了解稻虱红单节螯蜂Haplogonatopus apicalis与白背飞虱Sogatella furcifera间的互作关系,开展了稻虱红单节螯蜂在白背飞虱不同龄期寄生时,对寄主及其自身发育表现影响的研究。【方法】在室内25℃条件下,观察了被寄生的白背飞虱各龄若虫及其寄生蜂稻虱红单节螯蜂的发育表现。【结果】白背飞虱2, 3, 4和5龄若虫被寄生后,当龄及其后各龄的历期均显著延长;2和3龄若虫被寄生后,成虫羽化率仅分别为54.29%和60.95%,显著低于在4和5龄若虫被寄生后的成虫羽化率（分别为96.20%和100%）。稻虱红单节螯蜂寄生白背飞虱5龄若虫后的发育历期（23.77 d）显著短于寄生2龄若虫后的发育历期（27.77 d）;寄生3龄若虫的成蜂羽化率最高,为56.19%;而寄生5龄若虫的羽化雄蜂比例最高,为77.12%。【结论】稻虱红单节螯蜂寄生可使白背飞虱若虫发育历期显著延长,白背飞虱2和3龄若虫是稻虱红单节螯蜂发育的适宜寄主。     

Effect of parasitism byAscogaster reticulatus [Hym.: Braconidae] on growth of the host,Adoxophyes sp. [Lep.: Tortricidae]

The developmental interaction between the egg/larval parasitoid,Ascogaster reticulatus Watanabe (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and its host,Adoxophyes sp. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) was examined. Prior to the egress of a final-instar parasitoid larva from the 4^th-instar host larva, host weight decreased by 22% from the maximum weight. The final body weight of a host larva was 27% of the maximum weight of a healthy 5^th-instar host. Food consumption was significantly reduced in both 3^rd-and 4^th-instar parasitized larvae compared with healthy ones. In the 4^th instar, a parasitized larva consumed 28% less artificial diet and produced less frass than a healthy larva. The growth rate of the endoparasitoid larvae greatly increased after their host's molt to the 4^th instar. Parasitoid larval volume increased 40 fold in the 4^th-instar host.