Role of plant volatiles in host location by the specialist parasitoidMicroplitis croceipes cresson (Braconidae: Hymenoptera) |
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Authors: | Philip J. McCall Ted C. J. Turlings W. Joe Lewis James H. Tumlinson |
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Affiliation: | (1) Insect Attractants, Behavior, and Basic Biology Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 14565, 32604 Gainesville, Florida;(2) Insect Biology and Population Management Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 748, 31793 Tifton, Georgia;(3) Present address: Biomedical Sciences Division, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, L3 5QA Liverpool, UK |
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Abstract: | A study was conducted to determine the primary source of volatile cues within the plant-host complex used by hostseeking freeflying female Microplitis cro-ceipesCresson in flight tunnel bioassays. In single-source and two-choice tests, using wasps given an oviposition experience on either cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)or cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)seedlings damaged by corn earworm (CEW; Helicoverpa zeaBoddie), the damaged seedlings were significantly more attractive than the CEW frass, which was in turn more attractive than the larvae themselves. In a series of two-choice wind-tunnel tests, the discriminatory ability of the wasps was examined, following various oviposition experiences. Significantly more wasps flew to plants with old damage than to plants with fresh damage, regardless of whether they had experience on fresh or old damage. In a comparison of plant species, wasps with only one experience on either hostdamaged cotton or host-damaged cowpea were unable to distinguish between them, and showed no preference for either plant, whereas wasps with multiple experiences on a particular plant preferentially flew to that plant in the choice test. In comparing hosts with nonhosts, wasps successfully learned to distinguish CEW from beet armyworm (BAW; Spodoptera exigua)on cotton but were unable to distinguish CEW from either BAW or cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni)on cowpea. The results show the important role played by plant volatiles in the location of hosts by M. croceipesand indicate the wasps limitations in discriminating among the various odors. The ecological advantages and disadvantages of this behavior are discussed. |
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Keywords: | Hymenoptera Braconidae Microplitis croceipes cotton cowpea parasitoid host location kairomones olfaction induced plant responses learning |
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