Effect of plant nectars on adult longevity of the stinkbug parasitoid,Trissolcus basalis

Abstract

The egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is an important biological control agent of stinkbugs worldwide. Although honey has been used as adult food in culturing the parasitoid, no previous studies have explored the potential for maximising its fitness by provision of plant nectars in conservation biological control. In laboratory experiments, we measured the longevity of adult T. basalis females provided with each of 10 nectar-bearing flowering plant species: Lobularia maritima L., Brassica napus L., Tagetes patula L., Ocimum basilicum L., Fagopyrum esculentum Moench., Cosmos bipennatus Cav., Calendula arvensis L., Coriandrum sativum L., Tropaeolum majus L. and Phacelia tanacetifolia Bentham. Longevity was greatest (33 days) on flowering T. patula shoots and significantly lower on shoots of this species from which the inflorescence had been removed (8 days). Of the other plant species, only L. maritima flowers did not enhance longevity. These results indicate that adults of T. basalis benefit from access to floral nectar and also suggest plant species that merit field testing to identify species best suited to enhancing the efficacy of this parasitoid in conservation biological control.

Effects of nitrogen fertilization on tritrophic interactions

“…Conversely, with provision of only water male and female parasitoids lived a maximum of 7 days. Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), an important egg parasitoid of southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula (L.)) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), lives longer when floral nectars are available (Rahat et al 2005). Provision of food sources can attract more natural enemies and increase the mortality of herbivorous insects.…”

Longevity and fecundity of the egg parasitoid Telenomus podisi provided with different carbohydrate diets

“…In a study by Rahat et al. (), Trissolcus basalis Wollaston was found to have maximum longevity on French marigold ( Tagetes patula L.) flowers rather than alyssum [ Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv.] flowers due to the floral gap in alyssum inflorescences (0.18 ± 0.01 mm), which is too small for platygastrid foraging.…”

“…The flowers of buckwheat, dill, hogweed, and wild carrot are shallow and wide, permitting easy access to the nectaries for parasitoids and even some insect pests (Baggen et al, 1999;Winkler et al, 2003;Wade & Wratten, 2007). In a study by Rahat et al (2005), Trissolcus basalis Wollaston was found to have maximum longevity on French marigold (Tagetes patula L.) flowers rather than alyssum [Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv.] flowers due to the floral gap in alyssum inflorescences (0.18 AE 0.01 mm), which is too small for platygastrid foraging.…”

Genetically Modified Crops and Biological Control with Egg Parasitoids

“…Parasitoids generally (Jervis et al 1996, Koptur 2005, Wäckers 2005), including egg parasitoids (e.g., Begum et al 2004, Rahat et al 2005, Irvin et al 2007), consume and benefit from consuming floral and extra-floral nectar. Moreover, nectar availability may improve biological control generally, and by egg parasitoids in particular (e.g., Treacy et al 1987, Heimpel andJervis 2005), though accessing nectar may be risky due to predation (Koptur 2005, Wäckers 2005).…”