Foraging strategies of black kites (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Milvus migrans govinda</Emphasis>) in urban garbage dumps

Large numbers of black kites (Milvus migrans govinda) forage with house crows (Corvus splendens) at garbage dumps in many Indian cities. Such aggregation of many individuals results in aggressiveness where adoption of a suitable behavioral approach is crucial. We studied foraging behavior of black kites in dumping sites adjoining two major corporation markets of Kolkata, India. Black kites used four different foraging tactics which varied and significantly influenced foraging attempts and their success rates. Kleptoparasitism was significantly higher than autonomous foraging events; interspecific kleptoparasitism was highest in occurrence with a low success rate, while ‘autonomous-ground’ was least adopted but had the highest success rate.     

The earliest samples of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hymenoscyphus albidus</Emphasis> vs. <Emphasis Type="Italic">H. fraxineus</Emphasis> in Estonian mycological herbaria

In 2006, the alien and pathogenic Hymenoscyphus fraxineus was differentiated by molecular methods from the long recognized saprotrophic H. albidus . Today, H. fraxineus seems to have replaced H. albidus in several countries, but the exact year of arrival of H. fraxineus in northern Europe is still debated. Investigations of herbaria specimens might help to ascertain it. Before the epidemic, H. albidus was not of significant interest to mycologists in the Baltic area and was not eagerly sampled and deposited. Nevertheless, the TAAM herbarium in Estonia holds 13 putative H. albidus specimens that were collected 1966–2006. Using newly developed species-specific PCR primers to differentiate between H. albidus and H. fraxineus, all available herbarium samples from TAAM were identified. In addition, the primers were also tested on pure cultures and ascocarps of H. fraxineus and H. albidus, symptomatic petioles of F. excelsior, pure cultures of 10 non-target fungal species, and 10 different soil samples. With the exception of the oldest specimen in TAAM from 1966 (collected in Lithuania), all herbarium samples were identified as H. fraxineus. The first record of H. fraxineus in Estonia dates back to 1997 and apparently represents the oldest record of the species in Europe. In spite of this, symptoms based on reliable observations were not detected until 2003 in Estonia. This temporal shift is difficult to explain. Possible reasons may represent (i) overlooking of symptoms during the first years; (ii) typical lag phase at the start of an epidemic; (iii) an abrupt shift towards higher virulence of H. fraxineus; or (iv) other environmental (climatic) factors. Closer investigations are needed to disentangle these possible reasons.     

Antibiotic-Resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> in Migratory Birds Inhabiting Remote Alaska

We explored the abundance of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli among migratory birds at remote sites in Alaska and used a comparative approach to speculate on plausible explanations for differences in detection among species. At a remote island site, we detected antibiotic-resistant E. coli phenotypes in samples collected from glaucous-winged gulls (Larus glaucescens), a species often associated with foraging at landfills, but not in samples collected from black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla), a more pelagic gull that typically inhabits remote areas year-round. We did not find evidence for antibiotic-resistant E. coli among 347 samples collected primarily from waterfowl at a second remote site in western Alaska. Our results provide evidence that glaucous-winged gulls may be more likely to be infected with antibiotic-resistant E. coli at remote breeding sites as compared to sympatric black-legged kittiwakes. This could be a function of the tendency of glaucous-winged gulls to forage at landfills where antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections may be acquired and subsequently dispersed. The low overall detection of antibiotic-resistant E. coli in migratory birds sampled at remote sites in Alaska is consistent with the premise that anthropogenic inputs into the local environment or the relative lack thereof influences the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria among birds inhabiting the area.     

Factors influencing the behaviour of Irrawaddy dolphins <Emphasis Type="Italic">Orcaella brevirostris</Emphasis> (Owen in Gray, 1866) in Brunei Bay,Malaysia

The population of Irrawaddy dolphins in Brunei Bay, Malaysia is little studied. This study aimed at contributing information on how abiotic and other factors influence different aspects of their behaviour displayed at the water surface. Several behaviours, i.e. foraging, travelling, foraging behind trawler, milling and socializing were observed during boat-based line transect surveys (2013–2016). The behaviours of individuals and groups were filmed or noted, and the abiotic factors of the habitat were registered at the same time. The number of “travelling” individuals was negatively correlated with surface water salinity (p value?=?0.04) and positively correlated with turbidity (p value?=?0.01). Fisher’s exact test also revealed that the behaviours of dolphin groups significantly differed with the ranges of several abiotic factors, i.e. foraging behind trawler with depth (p value?=?0.001), travelling with surface water salinity (p value?=?0.05), travelling and foraging behind trawler with turbidity (p value?=?0.04, 0.01). The results for foraging behind trawler differed significantly between the groups with calves and those without calves (χ² test, p value?=?0.04), where groups with calves were less likely to forage behind trawlers. Significant differences were observed among group sizes for travelling, milling and socializing (χ² test, p value?<?0.05), with large groups (11–20 individuals) more frequently foraging, milling and socializing, compared to smaller ones. The current study is the first behavioural observation for Irrawaddy dolphins in Brunei Bay and these findings will help researchers, conservationists, local marine park managers and policy makers in developing effective conservation and management plans for the area.     

Behavioral plasticity and consistency in the naked-footed mouse (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Peromyscus nudipes</Emphasis>) with habitat disturbance

Very few studies have evaluated whether habitat disturbance affects behavioral consistency and plasticity. We measured shyness–boldness and exploration–avoidance for the first time in naked-footed mice (Peromyscus nudipes) in two adjacent habitats with differing level of disturbance in Costa Rica. Each habitat was measured in different, consecutive years. With these data, we explored the possibility of habitat differences in individual- and population-level behavioral plasticity, magnitude of behavior, and consistency. Mice in both habitats behaved consistently across time with high repeatability (i.e., showed personality). The strength of consistency of shyness–boldness and exploration–avoidance over time was higher in the disturbed habitat, and individuals in the undisturbed habitat were bolder and less exploratory. Behaviors were correlated with each other in both habitats, indicating that behavioral syndromes do not always break down in disturbed areas. Mice changed the magnitude of their response the second time they were tested, indicating population-level plasticity. There was also greater individual plasticity among mice in the undisturbed habitat. Our study suggests the possibility that habitat disturbance can affect behavioral plasticity and personality and that shyer/more exploratory individuals might colonize and/or persist in disturbed habitats. These results are preliminary and exploratory because we did not control for temporal differences between habitats.     

Pollen movement by the bat <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artibeus jamaicensis</Emphasis> (Chiroptera) in an agricultural landscape in the Yucatan Peninsula,Mexico

Artibeus jamaicensis is a medium-sized frugivorous microchiropteran bat that complements its diet with nectar and pollen during the dry season. We investigated which species of pollen are carried by A. jamaicensis in order to determine its potential role as a plant pollinator in the northern Yucatan Peninsula. We collected pollen from the fur of 192 individuals throughout the year from April 2004 to March 2005. We recorded pollen from nine plant species of eight families and found five unidentified pollen types, with the highest pollen species richness recorded in June. A. jamaicensis moved pollen of Erythrina standleyana and Mimosa bahamensis, which have not hitherto been reported as visited by this species. The most abundant pollen in the samples was found to be that of three tree species: Ceiba pentandra, C. aesculifolia and Lysiloma latisiliquum. Very few samples contained pollen in the rainy season, when the bats fed mainly on fruits. A. jamaicensis can fly several kilometres among foraging locations and dispersed large amounts of pollen from tree species growing near cenotes as well as those not present at cenotes but occurring in other forest fragments, highlighting its importance as a pollen vector among forest fragments in the largely deforested landscape of the Yucatan Peninsula, helping to reduce the negative effects of forest fragmentation. Ceiba appears to benefit from the role of A. jamaicensis as a pollen vector, and the species play an important ecological role in the Yucatán landscape, supplying shade, nectar and fruit for wildlife.     

Mass Occurrence and Dominant Behavior of the European Ant Species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Formica fuscocinerea</Emphasis> (Forel)

Recently, masses of the ant Formica (Serviformica) fuscocinerea (Forel) have been occurring at numerous sites in Southern Germany. Although F. fuscocinerea is native to Southern Germany, these mass occurrences resemble ant invasions in density and dominance. This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms that promote sudden mass occurrence of a previously inconspicuous ant species within its native range. To estimate the competitive dominance of F. fuscocinerea, species occurrence and abundance considering biotic and abiotic parameters were studied in a natural habitat where F. fuscocinerea co-occurred with two other common ant species, Myrmica ruginodis (Nylander) and Lasius niger (Linnaeus). To understand the species’ distribution in the field, laboratory experiments on interspecific competition were conducted. Finally, the colony structure of F. fuscocinerea was investigated with intraspecific aggression tests. Formica fuscocinerea dominated an area that, as indicated by strongly frequented foraging trails on the trees, provided important food sources, e.g. trophobionts, to the ants. Other ant species coexisted only at the periphery of the F. fuscocinerea range. Laboratory experiments revealed F. fuscocinerea as highly dominant species. Additionally, F. fuscocinerea showed a complete lack of intraspecific aggression between ants originating from distances up to 58 km, indicating weak or nonexistent behavioral boundaries among ants of physically separated nests. Since extraordinarily high worker densities, strong interspecific dominance and a lack of colony boundaries within supercolonies are considered to be important traits of several invasive ant species we conclude that the same traits also promote the dominance of F. fuscocinerea.     

Characterisation of<Emphasis Type="Italic">fusarium graminearum</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic">F. culmorum</Emphasis> isolates by mycotoxin production and aggressiveness to wheat

A total of 27Fusarium culmorum isolates from Germany and 41F. graminearum isolates from Kenya were investigated for aggressiveness and mycotoxin production on wheat ears. In addition, ergosterol content of the kernels from ears inoculated withF. graminearum was determined and theF. culmorum isolates were tested for mycotoxin productionin vitro. For both pathogens, isolates markedly differed in aggressiveness. 59% and 37% of theF. culmorum isolates produced NIV and DON, respectively,in vivo andin vitro. The DON-producing isolates also produced 3-acDONin vitro. The more aggressive isolates produced mainly DON while the less aggressive isolates produced mainly NIV. 12% and 85% of theF. graminearum isolates produced NIV and DON, respectively. The highly aggressive isolates produced higher amounts of DON, aggressiveness being highly correlated to DON content in the kernels. NIV-producing isolates were less aggressive. Ergosterol content of kernels was moderately correlated to aggressiveness but highly correlated to DON content. Disease severity was associated with kernel weight reduction.     

Extractive foraging of toxic caterpillars in wild northern pig-tailed macaques (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Macaca leonina</Emphasis>)

Extractive foraging in nonhuman primates may involve different levels of technical complexity in terms of the number of actions that must be performed and the manual dexterity involved. We describe the extractive foraging of caterpillars in wild northern pig-tailed macaques (Macaca leonina) at Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. The study group, observed from May to December 2016 (n = 146 days), comprised 60–70 habituated individuals, including 3–4 adult males, 20–23 adult females, and 36–47 immatures. Four adult males and five adult females, observed from September to November 2016 for a total of 24 days, were selected for focal animal sampling. Northern pig-tailed macaques were observed eating at least two families (Erebidae and Limacodidae) and three genera (Macrobrochis sp., Phlossa sp. and Scopelodes sp.) of caterpillars. While the monkeys ate short and small caterpillars with stinging setae and non-setae caterpillars without processing, they performed extensive caterpillar-rubbing behavior on large and long caterpillars with stinging setae. Based on 61 extractive foraging bouts, we found that caterpillar rubbing was hierarchically organized into five stages and 12 elements. Five stages of behavior sequence started with picking the caterpillar up, transporting it to a substrate, rubbing it to remove stinging setae, ingesting it, and then cleaning hands and mouth. Only adult macaques were observed using a leaf to rub stinging caterpillars.     

Atypical Morphology and Disparate Speciation in a Case of Feline Cryptococcosis

A 6-year-old, spayed female cat was presented with acute respiratory signs and pleural effusion. Computed tomography scan revealed a large, lobulated mass effect in the ventral right hemithorax with concurrent sternal lymphadenopathy. A cytologic sample of the mass contained pyogranulomatous inflammation, necrotic material, and abundant yeast structures that lacked a distinct capsule and demonstrated rare pseudohyphal forms. Fungal culture and biochemical testing identified the yeast as Cryptococcus albidus, with susceptibility to all antifungal agents tested. However, subsequent 18S PCR identified 99% homology with a strain of Cryptococcus neoformans and only 92% homology with C. albidus. The patient responded well to fluconazole therapy unlike the only known previous report of C. albidus in a cat. The unusual cytologic morphology in this case underscores the need for ancillary testing apart from microscopy for fungal identification. Though C. albidus should be considered as a potential feline pathogen, confirmation with PCR is recommended when such rare non-neoformans species are encountered.     

On establishing of two weevils (Coleoptera,Curculionidae: Entiminae) damaging fruit and berry crops in Southeastern Kazakhstan

Data on the occurrence of two Eastern European weevils, Urometopus nemorum L. Arn. and Otiorhynchus albidus Stierl., in Southeastern Kazakhstan are reported. Both species are represented in Kazakhstan by parthenogenetic forms and damage cultivated and wild strawberry (Urometopus nemorum) and cherries (Otiorhynchus albidus). The species are apparently recent invaders and appeared in Kazakhstan in the early XXI century.     

Genetic structure of the populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dactylorhiza ochroleuca</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">D. incarnata</Emphasis> (Orchidaceae) in the area of their joint growth in Russia and Belarus

We carried out an allozyme analysis to investigate polymorphism and genetic structure of the populations of D. incarnata and D. ochroleuca in regions of their joint growth in Russia and Belarus. We found that D. ochroleuca individuals in the populations of the Urals and Siberia, which are distant fragments from the main range of the species, do not differ significantly from individuals within the main part of the area (Belarus) on the basis of the allelic composition of eight gene loci. We revealed that D. ochroleuca and D. incarnata are differentiated by different alleles of the GDH locus. Thus, we established a genetic marker suitable to distinguish these closely related taxa. In addition to the GDH locus, D. ochroleuca and D. incarnata in the places of their joint growth, differ in the allelic structure of the PGI and NADHD loci. D. incarnata from the Urals and Siberia were polymorphic for both loci, and individuals from Belarus were polymorphic for one locus (PGI). In contrast, all D. ochroleuca individuals growing in sympatric populations with polymorphic D. incarnata were homozygous for the same alleles. Thus, comparison of the genetic structure of D. ochroleuca and D. incarnata points to the existence of a genetic isolation and a functioning isolation mechanism even under conditions of their joint growth. We found that the GDH locus in D. incarnata is polymorphic only in populations which grow together with D. ochroleuca, with exception a few examples. Thus, we conclude that variability of the GDH locus in D. incarnata is associated with hybridization with D. ochroleuca.     

On Records of Three Additional Species of the Weevil Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Otiorhynchus</Emphasis> Germ. (Coleoptera,Curculionidae: Entiminae) on Lilacs (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Syringa</Emphasis> L.) in St. Petersburg

In the summer and autumn of 2017, two mostly Southeastern European weevils Otiorhynchus albidus Stierlin, 1861 and O. asphaltinus Germar, 1824, and also O. rotundus Marseul, 1872, previously unknown from Russia, were found in numbers on Syringa vulgaris L. and S. josikaea Jack. in St. Petersburg. New data on the distribution of O. smreczynskii and a key for differentiation of O. rotundus, O. smreczynskii and closely allied to the latter O. ukrainicus Korotyaev, 1984 from southeastern Ukraine and eastern Crimea are reported.     

Courtship in Two Morphotypes of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anastrepha fraterculus</Emphasis> (Diptera: Tephritidae) Cryptic Species Complex and their Implications for Understanding Mate Recognition

Ritualized courtship behaviors are used to recognize potential mates and behavioral patterns are inevitably different among populations that demonstrate reproductive incompatibility. We characterized and compared the courtship behaviors of two morphotypes of the cryptic species complex Anastrepha fraterculus: Brazil-1 morphotype and Brazil-3 morphotype. Courtship behaviors were filmed to analyze the behavioral sequences of these two morphotypes during homotypic crossings. The behavioral units Alignment (AL) and Abdominal movements (AB and AB-call) were newly recognized in the courtship ethogram of Anastrepha fraterculus males. The two morphotypes show distinct behavioral sequences leading up to copulation. Some behaviors were repeated frequently during the courtship process, while others were more restricted to the final moments of courtship. The three behavioral units that contributed most to copulation success were Contact, Alignment, and Arrowhead 1 in the Brazil-1 morphotype and Alignment, Arrowhead 1, and Fanning in the Brazil-3 morphotype. Some behavioral routines differed across the two morphotypes. Significant differences were also noted between the frequencies of the behavioral units displayed during courtship in the two morphotypes. The relationships between the pre-zygotic incompatibilities of the Brazil-1 and Brazil-3 morphotypes and the differences between the courtship behaviors of their males are discussed. Our results indicate that behavioral isolation is involved in the process of pre-zygotic reproductive isolation of Brazil-1 and Brazil-3 morphotypes.     

Interactions between the grass shrimp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Palaemonetes pugio</Emphasis> and the salt marsh grasses <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phragmites australis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spartina alterniflora</Emphasis>

The grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio, a species common to Spartina alterniflora-dominated marshes, may be sensitive to the invasion of the common reed Phragmites australis in northeastern US salt marshes. We examined two questions: (1) Do grass shrimp have a preference for the native plant over the non-native plant? (2) Are grass shrimp more effective foragers on P. australis? We tested the first hypothesis by comparing the amount of time shrimp spend in physical contact with the plant types over a 1-h period. Shrimp were observed under different arrangements of vegetation to control for differences in conspicuous structural features. Additionally, the amount of time shrimp spent foraging on S. alterniflora and P. australis shoots was compared to determine if shrimp graze more often on S. alterniflora. Shrimp spent significantly more time in contact with S. alterniflora only when plant types were grouped at opposite ends of aquaria, but did not exhibit a foraging preference for this plant type. To address our second question, we investigated the effects of shrimp foraging on stem epifauna, an assemblage of semi-aquatic invertebrates associated with macrophyte shoots. Previous research showed that P. australis supports a lower density of stem-dwelling epifauna relative to S. alterniflora. We hypothesized that the primary grazer of this community, P. pugio, can forage on P. australis stems more effectively due to structural differences between the two plants, causing the lower abundance of epifauna through top-down effects. We exposed individual shoots inhabited by epifauna to shrimp and compared faunal densities on exposed shoots to densities on control shoots after 18 h. The reduction of epifauna by predation was proportional on the two plant types. Therefore, top-down effects can be ruled out as an explanation for the patchy distribution of epifauna observed in P. australis–S. alterniflora marshes.     

Difference in parenting in two species of burying beetle, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nicrophorus orbicollis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nicrophorus vespilloides</Emphasis>

Burying beetles (Nicrophorus) are model parents among insects, with all studied species known to regurgitate flesh from vertebrate carcasses to their offspring. However, most studies focus on a very few species, yet the interpretation of the function and importance of care is typically generalized to all burying beetles. Here we characterize subtle variation within and between individuals and sexes, and how this variation differs between two species of burying beetle. We find that Nicrophorus orbicollis exhibits low variance, with a normal distribution of parental care provided during peak care periods. In N. vespilloides, however, the distribution is more uniform as values of care are spread across the possible phenotypic spectrum. This suggests that there is stabilizing selection on care in N. orbicollis, but relaxed or disruptive selection in N. vespilloides. Although repeatability was similar between both species, transitions from other care behaviors into feeding were more common in N. orbicollis than N. vespilloides. Thus, while parenting is coarsely similar across the genus, variation in its expression should not be extrapolated to all Nicrophorus. We suggest that subtle variation both within and among species merits greater attention, and could inform us about the factors that lead to different distributions of care.     

Genetic divergence between colonies of Flesh-footed Shearwater <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ardenna carneipes</Emphasis> exhibiting different foraging strategies

Increasing evidence suggests foraging segregation as a key mechanism promoting genetic divergence within seabird species. However, testing for a relationship between population genetic structure and foraging movements among seabird colonies can be challenging. Telemetry studies suggest that Flesh-footed Shearwater Ardenna carneipes that breed at Lord Howe Island or New Zealand, versus southwestern Australia or Saint-Paul Island in the Indian Ocean, migrate to different regions (North Pacific Ocean and northern Indian Ocean, respectively) during the non-breeding season, which may inhibit gene flow among colonies. In this study, we sequenced a 858-base pair mitochondrial region and seven nuclear DNA fragments (352–654 bp) for 148 individuals to test genetic differentiation among colonies of Flesh-footed Shearwaters. Strong genetic divergence was detected between Pacific colonies relative to those further West. Molecular analysis of fisheries’ bycatch individuals sampled in the Sea of Japan indicated that individuals from both western and eastern colonies were migrating through this area, and hence the apparent segregation of the non-breeding distribution based on telemetry is invalid and cannot contribute to the population genetic structure among colonies. The genetic divergence among colonies is better explained by philopatry and evidence of differences in foraging strategies during the breeding season, as supported by the observed genetic divergence between Lord Howe Island and New Zealand colonies. We suggest molecular analysis of fisheries’ bycatch individuals as a rigorous method to identify foraging segregation, and we recommend the eastern and western A. carneipes colonies be regarded as different Management Units.     

Herbivore- and MeJA-induced volatile emissions from the redroot pigweed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amaranthus retroflexus</Emphasis> Linnaeus: their roles in attracting <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microplitis mediator</Emphasis> (Haliday) parasitoids

The redroot pigweed Amaranthus retroflexus Linnaeus (Caryophyllales: Amaranthaceae), an annual weed, is a host plant of the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Microplitis mediator (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a parasitoid of H. armigera. Here, the electrophysiological and behavioral responses of M. mediator to induced redroot pigweed volatiles were investigated. Female parasitoids were significantly attracted to odors from plants induced by H. armigera damage, H. armigera continuous feeding, and 10 mM methyl jasmonate (MeJA) spray. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) results demonstrated that there were significant changes in volatiles from these three treatments in comparison with the control. When the constitutive compound 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one was emitted in significant amounts from treated plants, it could elicit a medium electrophysiological response (0.2?≤?value?<?0.8) , a significant behavioral response of M. mediator females. β-Elemene, emitted from two treatments (plants damaged by H. armigera, plants with H. armigera continuous feeding), showed a very weak electrophysiological response (value?<?0.2), but was significantly attractive to M. mediator. The results showed that 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one and β-elemene might play important roles in mediating the foraging behavior of M. mediator. Further work will be conducted to evaluate the function of these two compounds under semi-field and field conditions and exploit them as attractants for M. mediator to control H. armigera.     

Effects of imidacloprid on the orientation behavior and parasitizing capacity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anagrus nilaparvatae</Emphasis>, an egg parasitoid of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nilaparvata lugens</Emphasis>

Anagrus nilaparvatae (Pang et Wang) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), is an egg parasitoid of rice planthoppers, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Homoptera: Delphacidae). This study evaluated effects of the insecticide imidacloprid on orientation behavior and parasitizing capacity of A. nilaparvatae. Sub-lethal concentrations of imidacloprid (LC₂₀ and LC₁₀) disrupted the foraging ability of A. nilaparvatae exposed to imidacloprid through contact or oral routes. Some survivors did not respond to volatiles from N. lugens-infested plants. Responsive individuals were equally attracted to volatiles from N. lugens-infested and healthy plants. Volatiles emitted from rice plants treated with a low concentration of imidacloprid were more attractive to A. nilaparvatae than those from plants treated with a high concentration of imidacloprid. Parasitism of N. lugens by A. nilaparvatae that survived contact with sub-lethal concentrations of imidacloprid did not decrease significantly. When A. nilaparvatae were fed imidacloprid-honey mixture, parasitism rates were 1.49% and 0%, respectively, significantly lower than those of the control (9.58%). Parasitism of N. lugens eggs in high concentration of imidacloprid treated rice plants by A. nilaparvatae decreased significantly. These effects involving disturbed foraging ability and reduced parasitizing capacity of A. nilaparvatae indicated that imidacloprid could decrease the performance of this parasitoid.