Plasticity in life features,parasitism and super-parasitism behavior of Bracon hebetor,an important natural enemy of Galleria mellonella and other lepidopteran host species |
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Authors: | Amr S. Abou El-Ela Eldessoky S. Dessoky Saad Masry Aqsa Arshad Asim Munawar Samina Qamer Ahmed Abdelkhalek Said I. Behiry Ahmed Kordy |
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Affiliation: | 1. Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture (Saba Basha), Alexandria University, Alexandria 21531, Egypt;2. Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 310000, China;3. Department of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia;4. Plant Protection and Biomolecular Diagnosis Department, ALCRI, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, New Borg El Arab City, Alexandria 21934, Egypt;5. Research and Development Division, ADAFSA, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates;6. Department of Entomology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan;7. Department of Zoology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan;8. Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture (Saba Basha), Alexandria University, Alexandria 21531, Egypt |
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Abstract: | The wasp, Bracon hebetor Say, is an important potential biocontrol agent of a wide range of lepidopteran insect species. The current study was subjected to compare these ectoparasitoid fitness traits on different host species belonging to the order Lepidoptera. Moreover, we determine the population dynamic with different host densities, sex ratio patterns, super-parasitism, longevity, paralysis success, and reproductive potential under laboratory conditions. Our results revealed that oviposition increased with an increase in host density, while the adult emergence and egg hatching were decreased due to the super-parasitism on host larvae. A higher male and female-biased population were observed when virgin and mated females offered fresh hosts. Adults' longevity was recorded more in females than males when kept only with bee honey + royal jelly + host larvae. The mean duration of egg-adult development was recorded higher on Galleria mellonella and lowest on Busseola fusca. The parasitization rate, super-parasitism, and cumulative fecundity of mated and virgin female wasps with different host species were observed higher on specific host Galleria mellonella while it was lower on Phthorimaea operculella. Furthermore, the parasitoids having mating experience preferred fresh, while the parasitoids' lack of mating experiences preferred paralyzed host under olfactometer test. Besides, this research has produced novel facts on the biology of parasitic wasp, B. hebetor that may guide the advancement of sustainable biological control programs to control lepidopteran pests. |
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Keywords: | Parasitoid Lepidopteran hosts Behavioral response Super-parasitism |
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