Host species and host plant effects on preference and performance of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).
Eben A., Benrey B., Sivinski J., Aluja M.
Author Affiliation: Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-275, México D.F. C.P. 04510, Mexico.
Environmental Entomology 29 : 87-94
Abstract : Native female D. longicaudata [Biosteres longicaudatus], a solitary endoparasitoid of tephritid fruit flies, exhibited positive responses toward volatiles of host fruits in olfactometer and wind tunnel bioassays. Although no significant preference for one of the test fruits, mango (Mangifera indica) or grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) was observed, the number of flights in the wind tunnel was higher in the presence of mangoes. In the olfactometer trials, parasitoids preferred fly infested over non-infested grapefruits, and infested over non-infested mangoes. Reproductive performance bioassays were conducted using Anastrepha ludens larvae reared in grapefruit, orange (Citrus aurantium), mango, or artificial diet, and A. obliqua larvae reared in mango as parasitoid hosts. Parasitoid performance was compared for 2 Anastrepha species and 3 fruit species. Significant effects of fruit fly species and of the diet of fruit fly larvae on longevity, size, and progeny production of D. longicaudata were observed. A. ludens reared in grapefruit was the best host in terms of offspring longevity, size, and number of female progeny, but parasitoids that developed in A. ludens reared in mango had higher overall fecundity. A. ludens reared in mango was a better host than A. obliqua in the same fruit. No correlation between parasitoid size and demographic parameters was found. The results of this laboratory study showed that host preference and offspring performance are partially related.