Trichogramma platneri (Hym.: Trichogrammatidae): Host choices between viable and nonviable codling moth,Cydia pomonella,and three-lined leafroller,Pandemis limitata (Lep.: Tortricidae) eggs

In laboratory host-preference studies,Trichogramma platneri Nagarkatti (Hym.: Trichogrammatidae) females, reared on viable codling moth,Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lep.: Tortricidae) eggs, parasitized significantly more viable than nonviable codling moth eggs produced by cobalt 60 irradiated adults. This ovipositional preference was maintained when competition increased per host egg. Similarly, one, three and fiveT. platneri females consistently oviposited more eggs into viable versus nonviable host eggs. A single femaleT. platneri parasitized a similar number of viableC. pomonella and three-lined leafroller,Pandemis limitata (Robinson) (Lep.: Tortricidae) eggs. However, as the number of females per host eggs increased, a significantly larger number of codling moth versus leafroller eggs were parasitized. One, three and fiveTrichogramma females parasitized significantly moreP. limitata versus nonviableC. pomonella eggs. NonviableC. pomonella eggs deflated to less than 25% of their original volume in four and ten days when held under dry and humid conditions respectively. The blackened prepupal stage of the parasitoid generally occurred in the nonviableC. pomonella eggs four days post-parasitization whereas the parasitized viable eggs blackened zero to one day earlier. Incubation under dry or humid conditions did not appear to influence the number of parasitized eggs that were able to blacken and show evidence of parasitism. Summerland Research Centre Contribution No. 938.     

Host suitability and preference studies of Trichogramma cordubensis (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Studies of host suitability and preferences of Trichogramma cordubensis Vargas and Cabello (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) were performed with eggs of six Lepidoptera (Noctuidae) species: Thysanoplusia orichalcea Fabricius, Peridroma saucia (Hübner), Xestia c-nigrum L., Phlogophora meticulosa (L.), Noctua pronuba (L.), and N. atlantica (Warren). Host suitability was studied by analysing separately the effects of the attacked host species and the influence of the rearing host species on different biological parameters of T. cordubensis. Host preference was analysed by offering eggs of two host species simultaneously to a single female wasp without previous oviposition experience (dual-choice tests). Results show that P. saucia, followed by P. meticulosa were the least suitable hosts for T. cordubensis, since on these species the preimaginal development of the parasitoids was significantly longer and, the number of parasitized eggs as well the number of offspring per female were significantly lower. Contrarily, T. cordubensis parasitized at a higher rate the eggs of the endemic non-target species, N. atlantica. Dual choice tests showed that the option of the first host to be accepted by the wasp was random; however, the mean number of parasitized eggs differed significantly when two host species were offered simultaneously to T. cordubensis, always being the host species with heavier eggs the most parasitized.     

Releases of Trichogramma platneri (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in Apple Orchards under a Sterile Codling Moth Release Program

Based on the premise that augmented host numbers may help multiply and support parasitoid populations, the egg parasitoid Trichogramma platneri Nargarkatti was released in apple orchards which were participating in a sterile codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), release program. Nonviable eggs resulting from matings involving at least one sterile codling moth partner can be successfully parasitized by T. platneri. Grain moth-reared, as well as codling moth-reared, T. platneri were released either in the spring or in the spring and summer oviposition period(s) of wild codling moth. Sentinel codling moth eggs were hung weekly, for 3-day periods, from May until September to determine fluctuations in T. platneri populations both during and between releases. Low numbers of wild or nonviable codling moth eggs or other susceptible host eggs resulted in sufficient eggs to maintain low spring- or summer-introduced T. platneri populations. T. platneri reduced codling moth damage in trees in which the Trichogramma were released.     

Interactions between host attributes and wasp size: a laboratory evaluation of Trichogramma platneri as an augmentative biological control agent for two avocado pests

We compared egg parasitization of two sporadic pests of avocado, Persea americana Miller, by Trichogramma platneri Nagarkatti reared on Sitotroga cerealella (Oliver) (=smaller parasitoids) with those reared on Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) (= larger parasitoids) in the laboratory. Large T. platneri females invested less time than smaller parasitoids in obtaining offspring from eggs of either Amorbia cuneana Walsingham or Sabulodes aegrotata (Gueneé). Furthermore, large T. platneri invested substantially more time (ca. 3-fold) in obtaining offspring from S. aegrotata than A. cuneana eggs. These investment times positively correlated with percentage egg-load retained by a female after it had ceased exploiting a host species. This occurred even though the offspring produced by a parasitoid from either host species manifested the same size and fecundity (= quality). Host species utilization in the laboratory mirrored that observed in the avocado groves of southern California following augmentative release of commercially produced T. platneri (Oatman & Platner, 1985). Explanations for these differences in host utilization are discussed along with their implications for augmentative biological control.     

Two new species ofTrichogramma [Hym.: Trichogrammatidae] from the U.S.A.

Two new species ofTrichogramma from the U.S.A. are described.T. parkeri sp. n., a morphologically distinct species, was reared from an egg ofHeliothis zea (Boddie), whileT. platneri sp. n. which is morphologically indistinguishable fromT. minutum Riley, was reared from eggs ofCydia pomonella (L.). Reproductive incompatibility ofT. platneri andT. minutum is discussed.     

The relationship between egg load and fecundity among Trichogramma parasitoids

1. The relationships between parasitoid egg load, size, and age (3–72 h) for Trichogramma minutum, T. platneri, and T. pretiosum, reared from two factitious hosts, Ephestia kuehniella and Sitotroga cerealella, were evaluated to test the hypothesis that 24‐h egg load can be used to estimate the fecundity of Trichogramma parasitoids. 2. Egg load increased in relation to female age over the first 3 days of adult life for all three Trichogramma species to a mean egg storage capacity of 46.7 eggs for T. minutum, 41.1 for T. pretiosum, and 35.7 for T. platneri. At 24 h of age, T. minutum had matured enough eggs to fill 67% of its storage capacity, in comparison with 74% for T. pretiosum and 91% for T. platneri. There was a positive relationship between egg load and parasitoid size for all ages of the three Trichogramma species reared from both hosts (with the exception of T. platneri at 3 h post emergence), accounting for 14–69% of the variance in egg load. 3. The potential fecundity, realised (3 day cumulative) fecundity, and oviposition rate (potential fecundity/longevity) of T. platneri were all related linearly to size‐dependent variation in 24‐h egg load, but only the realised fecundity of T. pretiosum, and none of the reproductive characteristics of T. minutum. It is suggested that 24‐h egg load may not be an accurate measure of egg storage capacity in parasitoids and should be used cautiously to represent fecundity. 4. The potential fecundity of seven Trichogramma species reared from E. kuehniella varied from 55 to 150, but neither potential fecundity nor oviposition rate was related significantly to egg load (represented by eggs laid during first 24 h). Selection to avoid egg depletion in the attack of gregarious hosts appears most likely to account for the variation in potential fecundity among Trichogramma species.     

Is host plant choice by a clytrine leaf beetle mediated through interactions with the ant Crematogaster lineolata?

In the grasslands of northeastern Kansas, adult populations of Anomoea flavokansiensis, an oligophagous leaf beetle (subfamily Clytrinae), specialize on Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) even though other reported host species commonly occur and are simultaneously available. We performed choice feeding tests to examine whether A. flavokansiensis adults have a fixed feeding preference for bundleflower. In choice tests, beetles ate similar amounts of bundleflower and honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos). In addition, we measured fecundity and longevity of adults in no-choice tests to determine if adults were adapted solely to bundleflower. In no-choice tests, fecundity and longevity were no different for adults feeding on bundleflower and honey locust. We next examined the influence of host plant on the attractiveness of beetle eggs to ants. In northeastern Kansas, Crematogaster lineolata ants are attracted to A. flavokansiensis eggs and carry them into their nests where the larvae hatch and apparently reside as inquilines. C. lineolata exhibited a strong preference for eggs from female A. flavokansiensis that fed exclusively on bundleflower compared to eggs from females that fed exclusively on honey locust. Local populations of A. flavokansiensis in northeastern Kansas may specialize on bundleflower to increase the chances of their eggs being transported by C. lineolata ants into their nests. C. lineolata nests may serve as a predator-free and sheltered environment in which A. flavokansiensis eggs undergo embryogenesis. Received: 1 September 1997 / Accepted: 9 February 1998     

A comparison between the amino acid composition of an egg parasitoid wasp and some of its hosts

Amino acid compositions of the eggs of five lepidopteran hosts for Trichogramma minutum were compared with each other and with a non-host species, Rhodnius prolixus, in which T. minutum oviposits but does not develop. Host eggs are quite homogeneous, particularly when compared according to groupings of potentially interconvertible amino acids. Combined mole percent values for glycine, serine and alanine were higher in hosts (27.5–29.2 mole%) than in R. prolixus eggs (21.5 mole%), in bovine serum albumin (14.9%), which has been used as a protein source in artificial diets for T. minutum, or in many of the mixtures used in published diets for this species. Since these three amino acids make up 26.3 mole% of the adult amino acid content of T. minutum, their deficiency in diets could require metabolic compensation detrimental to development.Adult T. minutum arising from eggs of Manduca sexta, Choristoneura fumiferana, and Sitotroga cerealella are similar in amino acid composition to each other and, in general, to their hosts. Variability appears greater in hosts than in adult wasp composition, suggesting some interconversion of host amino acids to accommodate inflexible nutritional requirements of T. minutum.In the three host species tested, free amino acids constituted 15.8–19.3% by weight of the amino acid in egg contents. In M. sexta eggs, glycine, serine and alanine together make up 28.4% by weight of the total free amino acid, a much higher proportion than in many published diets. The four free amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine and histidine) reported to be oviposition stimulants in experiments on encapsulated diets are present in sufficient concentrations to induce oviposition in the host species tested and in R. prolixus. S. cerealella egg contents having approximately 1.8 g amino acid, yield one or rarely two adult T. minutum (1g amino acid/insect). In contrast, M. sexta eggs with 94 g amino acid each yield an average of 10–12 adults (8.2g amino acid/insect). This suggests that small hosts are allocated few eggs which can only develop into small adults because of nutrient supply (parasitoid size in metabolically restricted), whereas much larger hosts are allocated proportionately fewer eggs than the former resulting in larger, and presumably more viable and fecund, adults (parasitoid size is established behaviourally).     

Biology of Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus (Hemiptera: Miridae), a predator of the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in tomato crops in Argentina

The predator Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus is frequently found attacking Trialeurodes vaporariorum in greenhouses without pesticide applications in Argentina. The objective of these studies was to evaluate some biological characteristics of this species fed on three types of diet (whitefly nymphs, Sitotroga cerealella eggs and a mix of both) and on two host plants (tomato and tobacco), under controlled experimental conditions. Preimaginal developmental time for female and male bugs was shorter in the presence of whiteflies than with only moth eggs. Females lived longer when they ate only whitefly nymphs compared to a mixed diet or only moth eggs. The amount of adult descendants was greater when bugs could eat whiteflies, regardless of the presence of S. cerealella. Embryonic development time, male longevity and sex proportion were not affected by the diet or the host plant. Prey consumption was evaluated for three T. cucurbitaceus life history stages (fourth/fifth instar nymphs, female and male adults) on two types of prey (whitefly nymphs and S. cerealella eggs). On tomato, females were more voracious than males and nymphs. On tobacco, adults and nymphs consumed more S. cerealella than T.vaporariorum nymphs, but again, bug females preyed more than males and nymphs. Results demonstrate that T. cucurbitaceus can survive, develop and reproduce normally using both T. vaporariorum and S. cerealella eggs as prey on tobacco or tomato plants. This information can be useful for managing this predator against T. vaporariorum through conservative or augmentative biological control strategies.     

Oviposition strategy of the parasitic waspDinarmus basalis (Hymenoptera,Pteromalidae)

Summary Host type choice and sex allocation were examined using the solitary parasitic waspDinarmus basalis (Pteromalidae, Hymenoptera) parasitizing larvae or pupae of the bean weevilCallosobruchus chinensis (Bruchidae, Coleoptera) within azuki beans (Vigna angularis). The wasps were offered two types of host; one was hard for the mother to lay eggs in, but was more beneficial for the offspring; the other was easy for the mother to lay eggs in, but was less beneficial for the offspring. The two types of host were one large host (17-day old host) in one bean and 6 small hosts (12-, or 13-day old hosts) in one bean. The same number of each host was presented at the same time to female wasps. The wasps accepted more 17-day old hosts than 12-day old hosts, and more 13-day old hosts than 17-day old hosts in each pair-wise choice experiment. The proportions of accepted host types were different from the proportions predicted by optimization models of random prey encounter with known or unknown prey densities. The wasps showed partial preference of host types. Incomplete information about prey densities, and about the costs and benefits of the two types of host may have generated the partial preference. Two predictions of host sizemodels, that (1) there should be a negative relationship between host size and offspring sex ratio (proportion of male offsprings), and (2) the sex ratio in each size host changes with the relative frequency of each size host utilized, were qualitatively supported.     

Selection of suitable trichogramma strains to control the codling mothCydia pomonella and the two summer fruit tortrix mothsAdoxophyes orana,Pandemis heparana [Lep.: Tortricidae]

Simple laboratory methods to select candidateTrichogramma strains for use in biological control were tried. 17 strains were screened for their suitability against the codling mothCydia pomonella L. as well as the 2 summer fruit tortrix mothsAdoxophyes orana F.R. andPandemis heparana Schiff. In one set of experiments, the capacity ofTrichogramma to parasitize each of these target pests was examined, in another set, the preference ofTrichogramma to contact and parasitize the target pests compared to the standard mass rearing hostSitotroga cerealella was assessed in choice experiments. A strain ofTrichogramma dendrolimi from the People's Republic of China was found to have the highest fecundity with all the 4 hosts tested. In choice experiments, however, this strain was shown to have a near equal preference between the target tortrix pestsC. pomonella, A. orana and the replacement hostS. cerealella. 11 localTrichogramma strains collected from fruit orchards and vineyards in different locations in the Federal Republic of Germany were reared separately. Four of these local strains, one identified asT. embryophagum, showed clear preference to the tortrix pestsC. pomonella andA. orana compared toS. cerealella. The preference of one of these strains was particularly strong and amounted to a near total rejection ofS. cerealella eggs in the presence of any of the 2 tortrix pests. The remaining 12 strains had weaker parasitization capacity and/or less preference to the target pests. Four of the strains tested in these experiments, includingT. dendrolimi andT. embryophagum, were mass reared and released in apple orchards between 1984 and 1986. The results of these field experiments are planned to be published in this journal. Mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Conserved oviposition preferences in alpine leaf beetle populations despite host shifts and isolation

Abstract.  1. Choosing the plant on which to lay their eggs is the last act of care that most female herbivorous insects bestow upon their offspring. These decisions play a pivotal role in insect–plant interactions, placing host preference under strong selection and contributing to the diversity of phytophagous insects as one of the first traits to adapt to new hosts.
2. This study presents a test of whether extreme isolation and exposure to different host plants can produce intra-specific divergence in oviposition preference in alpine insects. Geographic variation should impose selection to fine-tune host plant ranking and specificity to the plants normally encountered, to avoid wasting time during the very limited reproductive season experienced at high altitudes.
3. Beetles from five populations of Oreina elongata differing in host availability were offered three natural hosts: Cirsium spinosissimum , Adenostyles alliariae , and Adenostyles glabra . A novel application of a continuation ratio model (logistic regression) was made to sequential no-choice experiments, combined with quasi-likelihood analysis of multiple-choice experiments.
4. The results show little geographic variation in host plant choice: all populations strongly preferred Cirsium in multiple-choice trials, and in no-choice experiments laid around 47% of their remaining eggs during each stage, almost regardless of the host present.
5. Enemy-free space seems to explain the preference for Cirsium , but isolation and exposure to different plants has clearly not caused local adaptation in host plant ranking or specificity. Reasons for this conservatism despite divergence in other characteristics are discussed.     

Choice versus no-choice test interpretation and the role of biology and behavior in parasitoid host specificity tests

The need to improve methods and interpretation of host specificity tests for arthropod natural enemies has been clearly identified, yet there remains a paucity of empirical evidence upon which to base recommendations. Factors influencing test outcomes and the mechanisms underlying them must be understood so they can be controlled, and test results can be interpreted correctly. In this study, an established exotic host/parasitoid system was used to assess the outcomes and predictive accuracy of no-choice compared to paired choice tests within small laboratory arenas. Host acceptance by two egg parasitoids, Enoggera nassaui and Neopolycystus insectifurax (Pteromalidae), was interpreted in light of percent parasitism, offspring sex ratios and observed parasitoid behavior. No-choice tests showed that the four host species, Paropsis charybdis, Dicranosterna semipunctata, Trachymela catenata and Trachymela sloanei (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) were within the physiological host ranges of both parasitoids. The results of paired choice tests with the first three species supported this interpretation, with two exceptions. Trachymela catenata eggs were not accepted by E. nassaui and were accepted significantly less often by N. insectifurax when compared to no-choice tests. Both test designs predicted that D. semipunctata is within the ecological host range of the two parasitoid species, whereas field evidence suggests this is a false positive result. Percent parasitism of all hosts was higher in no-choice compared to choice tests and was predictive of rank order of host preference in choice tests. Presence of the most preferred host did not increase attack on lower ranked hosts. Offspring sex ratios of E. nassaui were independent of host preference. In contrast, N. insectifurax allocated more females to P. charybdis and mostly males to D. semipunctata and T. catenata. The results support our assertion that both no-choice and choice tests along with detailed behavioral studies should be conducted for correct interpretation of pre-release host specificity tests. This will enable more accurate predictions of parasitoid host ranges and risks parasitoids may pose to non-target organisms in the field.     

The scale response ofTrichogramma [Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae]: Variation among species in host specificity and the effect of conditioning

Host specificity and the effect of conditioning on a behavioral response to lepidopteran scales varied among the females of 4Trichogramma spp. observed in laboratory experiments.Trichogramma species nrPretiosum Riley andT. exiguum Pinto & Platner responded weakly toOstrinia nubilalis (Hübner) scales relative toHeliothis zea (Boddie) andManduca sexta (L.).T. maltbyi Nagaraja & Nagarkatti andT. minutum Riley did not discriminate between scales from these 3 hosts. Conditioning with various combinations of host scales and eggs did not alter host specificity, but in some cases, changed general responsiveness to scales. These were attributed to habituation, loss of appetitive drive due to long oviposition bouts, and associative learning. In general, the scale response seems to be innate and fairly nonspecific.      

Linkages between nectaring and oviposition preferences of Manduca sexta on two co‐blooming Datura species in the Sonoran Desert

1. The oviposition choices of phytophagous insects determine the environment that their offspring will experience, affecting both larval performance and host plant fitness. These choices, however, may be influenced by other activities, such as nectar foraging. 2. In the Sonoran Desert, Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) oviposits primarily on the perennial herb Datura wrightii. It has been reported to oviposit on the smaller‐flowered, co‐blooming, sympatric annual Datura discolor as well. Datura is also M. sexta's most important source of nectar in this region. Nectaring and oviposition decisions thus determine M. sexta's reproductive success, as well as the relative benefits (pollination) and costs (herbivory) that each Datura species derives from this interaction. 3. The nectaring and oviposition choices of adult M. sexta on these congeners were studied to investigate how nectar foraging influences oviposition. Larval performance on the two hosts was then assessed. 4. Nectaring and oviposition were behaviourally linked, with M. sexta preferring the perennial D. wrightii as both a nectar source and larval host when given a choice between the two species. This preference disappeared, however, when only D. discolor bore flowers. 5. In the laboratory, larvae developed at equal rates when fed D. wrightii or D. discolor leaves, but survival was higher on D. wrightii when larvae fed on intact plants. 6. These findings suggest that while female preferences match larval performance in most cases, the link between nectaring and oviposition may at times bias moths to lay eggs on inferior larval hosts.     

RearingTrichogramma nubilale [Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae] on eggs of the tobacco hornworm,Manduca sexta [Lepidoptera: Sphingidae]

The fresh frozen egg of the tobacco hornworm (TBH)Manduca sexta (L.), is an efficient and superior host for mass production ofTrichogramma nubilale Ertle & Davis. Each host egg may produce 10.7±2.8 (n=7) large, robust, and activeT. nubilale. The proportion of ♀♀ stabilized at 80–90% with 69.9±26.6 (n=8) ovarian eggs per female. As many as 3 ♀♀ were observed ovipositing simultaneously into a single TBH egg. Superparasitism (>10 progeny) should be avoided because it may cause nutritional or space limitations on the development of effectiveT. nubilale.      

Relationship between adult and larval host plant selection and larval performance in the generalist moth, Trichoplusia ni

Adult oviposition preferences are expected to correlate with host plant suitability for the development of their offspring. For most lepidopteran species, this is particularly important as the hatching neonate larvae of many species are relatively immobile. Thus, the site of oviposition chosen by a female adult can greatly influence the probability of survival for her offspring. In the present study, we investigated the oviposition preference of adult Trichoplusia ni moths for six plant species to determine whether they could accurately rank the suitability of the plants for larval development. We also compared oviposition preferences to neonate larval acceptance and preference to determine whether the adult host range matched that of larval diet breath. Our results indicate that in two-choice and no-choice tests adult T. ni were able to rank the plants accurately, with the exception of anise hyssop. However, when given a choice of all six plants together, they laid more eggs on a plant that was not suitable for larval survival. Larvae accepted and fed on all plants in no-choice tests, and accurately ranked them according to larval performance. We conclude that neonate larvae are better able than adults to rank plants according to larval performance, and that larval diet breadth is wider than the range of plants accepted by adults. We also provide a discussion of the reduced accuracy of adult oviposition preference with increased plant choices.     

Biology and host range of Mada polluta,a potential biological control agent of Tecoma stans in South Africa

The host range of Mada polluta Mulsant (Coleoptera:Coccinnellidae) was studied to assess its suitability as a biological control agent of Tecoma stans (L.) Juss ex Kunth var stans (Bignoniaceae), an invasive weed in South Africa. Biology of M. polluta and its host range were determined in the laboratory using no-choice and multi-choice feeding, oviposition and larval survival tests. Out of 36 plant species from 12 plant families (Bignoniaceae, Acanthaceae, Asteraceae, Verbenaceae, Lamiaceae, Oleaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Solanaceae, Apiaceae, Chenopodiaceae and Poaceae) within the order Lamiales that were tested during the host specificity testing, M. polluta showed a very strong preference for T. stans, depositing its eggs on T. stans and none on non-target plant species. In no-choice tests, an average of 246 eggs was laid on T. stans, and from these, 133 larvae developed to adulthood. The beetle also showed very promising biological attributes that will contribute to its success as a biological control agent of T. stans. These attributes include highly damaging larvae and adults, high fecundity (532 eggs/female) and a short life cycle (four weeks). The short life cycle will enable multiple generations per year and rapid population increase in the field. It is concluded that M. polluta is sufficiently host-specific to be released against T. stans in South Africa. It is, therefore, strongly recommended that permission be granted to release this beetle from quarantine for biological control of T. stans in South Africa.     

Effects of previous experience and age-related changes on host eggs parasitization by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichogramma buesi</Emphasis> Voegele (Hymenoptera,Trichogrammatidae) females

The influence of the previous parasitization experience and age-related endogenous changes on the parasitization of Sitotroga cerealella Oliv. (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) eggs by Trichogramma buesi Voegele (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) females was estimated in the laboratory conditions. The experiment included two exposures separated by a period lasting from 0 to 20 days at 20°C. The first exposure lasted for 4 h and was conducted at a temperature of 25°C which promoted parasitization. The second exposure lasted 48 h and was conducted at a temperature of 15°C which inhibited parasitization. The survival of the control females (deprived of the hosts at the first exposure) was slightly higher than that of the experimental females. The mean number of mature eggs and the mean fecundity during the second exposure were lower in females that parasitized during the first exposure than in the controls and in females that rejected the host during the first exposure. The proportion of T. buesi females that parasitized S. cerealella eggs during the second exposure was much higher among the females that started parasitization during the first exposure than among controls and among those that rejected the host during the first exposure. This effect of the previous parasitization experience on the following parasitization of the same host species persisted for 16 days. However, on day 20 after the first exposure the proportion of the parasitizing individuals among the experienced females was the same as among the controls and those that rejected the host during the first exposure. This sharp decay in the effect of experience coincided with an increase in mortality and with a decrease in the proportion of parasitizing females among the controls. Thus, the experience-induced behavioral changes per se could be considered as practically permanent, since the period of their persistence is close to the female active life span.     

Does the Polyphagous Egg Parasitoid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichogramma platneri</Emphasis> Nagarkatti (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) Display Behavioral Plasticity When Parasitizing Different Hosts?

Trichogramma platneri oviposition behavior on Amorbia cuneana egg masses was investigated under laboratory conditions. No relationship was detected between host surface area, number of edge turning on host eggs, and parasitoid clutch size. It was also observed that females parasitized the egg mass randomly by drilling into the egg mass and parasitizing individual eggs without using stereotypical behaviors to assess individual hosts (i.e. drumming and turning). However, clutch size did change due to ovipositional experience as naïve wasps with little or no ovipositional experience (<6 eggs parasitized), allocated significantly more progeny per host than wasps with longer ovipositional experience (24-h oviposition experience on a single egg mass). Moreover, naïve wasps parasitized significantly more eggs on the outer edge of the egg mass than experienced wasps. We contend that the physical characteristics of A. cuneana eggs and egg masses preclude T. platneri from completely discriminating between individual eggs. However, because T. platneri may be using kairomones from the egg mass, this described oviposition strategy remains effective.