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Within‐patch search flights by Pachyneuron aphidis (Hym., Pteromalidae): a potential strategy to compensate reduced foraging speed by foot
Author(s) -
Hübner G.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of applied entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0418
pISSN - 0931-2048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1439-0418.2001.00549.x
Subject(s) - aphid , biology , foraging , pteromalidae , host (biology) , parasitoid , biological pest control , botany , ecology , horticulture
Search flights of the aphid hyperparasitoid Pachyneuron aphidis were observed under field conditions. The pattern and duration differed from those described for aphid primary parasitoids. Forty per cent targeted landings close to aphid colonies indicate that P. aphidis females locate potential host sites during slow and extraordinary long flights in the host plant Cirsium arvense . A comparison between different aphid hyperparasitoids showed that the walking speed of P. aphidis was significantly slower than that of other polyphagous species. This suggests that search flights were performed in order to compensate for a reduced efficiency of foraging on foot.