Premium
Factors involved in host discrimination by Epidinocarsis lopezi and Leptomastix dactylopii (Hym., Encyrtidae)
Author(s) -
Baaren J.,
Né J.P.
Publication year - 1994
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 - 10.1111/j.1439-0418.1994.tb00781.x
Subject(s) - encyrtidae , biology , parasitoid , ovipositor , host (biology) , hymenoptera , botany , braconidae , zoology , ecology
The factors involved in host discrimination by two Encyrtid Hymenoptera, Epidinocarsis lopezi and Leptomastix dactylopii , parasitoids of the mealybugs Phenacoccus manihoti and Planococcus citri (Pseudococcidae) respectively, were compared in a behavioural study. Females of both species can discriminate between unparasitized and parasitized hosts whatever the time elapsed since first oviposition. Discrimination is based on several stimuli which act either simultaneously or successively. In E. lopezi , the rejection of parasitized hosts occurred either after a simple antennal contact, as a result of the defense behaviour of the parasitized host, or after the insertion of the ovipositor. In the latter the parasitoid probably detects a modification in the composition of the haemolymph due to the presence of the developing parasitoid. In L. dactylopii , parasitized hosts were rejected mainly after antennal palpation, the possible markers identified being either an external pheromone or the physical marker provided by the egg stalk emerging from the surface of the parasitized host. After 3 days of infestation, the use of the ovipositor is sometimes necessary.