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Oviposition behaviour, influence of experience on host size selection, and niche overlap of the solitary Leptomastix epona and the gregarious Pseudaphycus flavidulus , two endoparasitoids of the mealybug Pseudococcus viburni
Author(s) -
Karamaouna Filitsa,
Copland Michael J.W.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
entomologia experimentalis et applicata
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.765
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1570-7458
pISSN - 0013-8703
DOI - 10.1046/j.1570-7458.2000.00743.x
Subject(s) - parasitoid , biology , encyrtidae , nymph , ovipositor , host (biology) , instar , mealybug , zoology , ecology , hymenoptera , botany , larva , hemiptera
Oviposition behaviour and host size selection of the solitary parasitoid Leptomastix epona (Walker) and the gregarious Pseudaphycus flavidulus (Brèthes) [both Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae] were examined on five size classes of the mealybug Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) [Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae]. The host size classes mostly consisted of one stage (first, second, third instar nymph, young adult and preovipositing adult) and were presented together to wasps of either parasitoid species. Both parasitoid species locate the host by drumming the surface of the patch with the antennae. Leptomastix epona seems to use mainly the antennae to examine the host but P. flavidulus may accept or reject a host for oviposition after antennation or insertion of the ovipositor. Leptomastix epona attempts oviposition in all the host stages from second instar nymphs but P. flavidulus includes first instar. Both parasitoid species select mainly larger hosts (>1 mm, third instar nymphs) to oviposit but P. flavidulus is able to parasitize more second instar nymphs compared to L. epona . Female wasps of L. epona may host feed on small mealybugs (second and third instar nymphs) that they do not use for oviposition. Oviposition experience of either parasitoid species for 24 hours does not influence host size selection on patches with hosts of similar mixed sizes. Oviposition decisions are independent of the host sizes of the preceding ovipositions. Implications about stability of a single parasitoid – host system and the success of biological control of the mealybug were discussed in respect of the developmental refugia of the two parasitoid species. Niche overlap of the two parasitoid species was discussed with a view to giving an insight into a single or multiple introduction.