寄生垂叶榕的两种非传粉榕小蜂的产卵行为

通过对两种果外产卵非传粉榕小蜂Philotrypesissp.和Sycoscaptersp.产卵行为的详细观察,发现两种小蜂产卵期都集中在榕果发育的间花期,并且只在进过传粉榕小蜂的榕果内产卵。这两种小蜂的产卵行为基本都可以分为寻找产卵位点、刺壁、产卵和回收产卵器等步骤。落在果面上的两种小蜂的繁殖雌蜂都通过触角敲击果面寻找产卵位点。产卵结束后,Philotrypesissp.大多数情况在原位收回产卵针,而Sycoscaptersp.必须向前爬行才能将产卵针从果内收回。为了争夺产卵位点,在同一榕果产卵的Philotrypesissp.繁殖雌蜂之间会进行打斗。而Sycoscaptersp.繁殖雌蜂之间未观察到打斗行为。两种小蜂产卵器长度虽显著长于各自产卵时榕果果壁厚度,但却显著短于其产卵时榕果果壁和子房层的总厚度,说明这两种小蜂采用产卵针直接刺穿小花子房的产卵模式。

Oviposition Behavior of Two Fig Wasp Species Associated with Ficus benjamina

Oviposition behavior of two externally ovipositing non-pollinating fig wasps species:Philotrypesis sp.and Sycoscapter sp.was investigated by means of visual observation.Results indicated that both species oviposit in inter-floral phase syconia which have been oviposited in by pollinating fig wasp.Oviposition behavior of Philotrypesis sp.and Sycoscapter sp.can be generally divided into the following steps:seeking for oviposition site,piercing fig wall,ovipositing and withdrawing ovipositor.Arriving at syconium surface,foudresses of both species began seeking oviposition site by tapping syconium surface with their antenna.After ovipositon,Sycoscapter sp.foudresses withdraw their ovipositors by crawling on the fig wall,while Philotrypesis sp.foudresses could directly withdraw their ovipositor.For ovipositon site,Philotrypesis sp.foundress would fight with each other,while Sycoscapter sp.foundress did not show such behavior.The lengths of ovipositors of both species are significantly longer than the thickness of fig wall,and significantly shorter than the total thickness of ovary and fig wall,indicating both species directly pierce the floret ovary with their ovipositors when they oviposit.