Preference of the parasitoid Cotesia flavipes (Cam.) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) for Diatraea (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The sugarcane borer Diatraea flavipennella (Box.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), has ultimately predominated in the sugarcane fields of the Brazilian northeast region, despite the continual release of the parasitoid Cotesia flavipes (Cam.) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Questions have been raised about the efficiency of Diatraea spp. in controlling D. flavipennella. In this study, females reared in one of the borers were tested individually and as hosts with the larvae of either of the Diatraea species alone or the larvae of both species. In the first experiment, the females were released for 10 min within the experimental arena using only olfactory cues. In the second experiment, C. flavipes females were individually released for 30 min. within the arena, allowing direct contact with its host, either D. saccharalis or D. flavipennella, or both host species at the same time. The wasps showed no preference for either one of the hosts, thus being able to locate borers in general. Palavras-chave: parasitismo, comportamento, broca da cana-de-açúcar.

Interação de fungos entomopatogênicos com parasitoide para manejo de Diatraea flavipennella (Box) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

“…A criação de C. flavipes é feita em laboratório utilizando-se lagartas de D. saccharalis em dieta artificial e posteriores liberações do parasitoide no campo, nas regiões Norte e Nordeste, que apresentam controle eficiente desta espécie de broca. Analisando a preferência de C. flavipes por D. saccharalis e D. flavipennella, Silva et al (2012) observaram, ao testar pistas visuais e olfativas, através de voláteis liberados pelo hospedeiro, que o parasitoide foi igualmente capaz de localizar as duas espécies de Diatraea, não apresentando preferência por um dos hospedeiros.…”

Cotesia flavipes (CAM) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Supresses Immune Responses In Diatraea flavipennella (BOX) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

“…The D. saccharalis and D. flavipennella borers feature bio-ecological similarities; however, the C. flavipes wasp does not demonstrate a preference between the two hosts and is equally able to locate the two species (Freitas et al 2006, Silva et al 2012. Nevertheless, upon acceptance by the host, the immature parasitoid faces a number of physiological challenges that may diminish its chances of survival and the host's immune defense mechanisms is the biggest challenge faced by the parasite (Edwards et al 2001).…”

RECORD OF Digonogastra sp. (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE) PARASITIZING Diatraea flavipennella (LEPIDOPTERA: CRAMBIDAE) IN ALAGOAS, BRAZIL

“…The sugarcane borer Diatraea flavipennella Box, 1931 (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is an important pest in sugarcane plantations in northeastern Brazil. Their control has been performed mainly through the use of larval parasitoid Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) by means of inundative releases (DIAS-PINI et al, 2012;SILVA et al, 2012). The control with this parasitoid has shown a significant increase of 26% of parasitism on Diatraea spp.…”