Impact of mass-rearing on the host seeking behaviour and parasitism by the fruit fly parasitoid Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Abstract

Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a koinobiont larval-pupal endoparasitoid of a large number of tephritids. P. concolor can be commonly reared on fully grown Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) larvae. In our laboratory, over 180 consecutive generations have been completed on C. capitata. In this study, we tested the possibility that the uninterrupted mass-rearing of P. concolor on C. capitata may influence its host location and parasitisation behaviours when used against Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), the fruit fly commonly targeted in mass release of P. concolor in olive-groves. Choice and nochoice tests were used with naïve and experienced P. concolor females exposed to B. oleae and/or C. capitata larvae. The study showed no significant difference in oviposition behaviours and host acceptance when provided either C. capitata or B. oleae. However, the study did show that experience on a host plus a substrate complex could influence host preferences, since females that had previous oviposition experience on a given host species searched and chose significantly more when the same host species was presented, both in choice and no-choice conditions. Therefore, within the context of the pest management of fruit flies, it could be very useful to incorporate procedures in insectary-propagated fruit fly parasitoids designed to provide adequate training (i.e. oviposition experience) on the fruit fly species needing to be controlled.

Agathis bishopi, a Larval Parasitoid of False Codling MothThaumatotibia leucotreta: Laboratory Rearing and Effect of Adult food on Parasitism and Longevity

“…On average, 18.2 % of FCM larvae in rearing jars were parasitised by female A. bishopi. This trend in percentage parasitism suggests that oviposition experience improves the host searching and oviposition efficiency in A. bishopi parasitoids and thus supports the findings from several previous studies with parasitic wasps (Geervliet et al 1998;Canale & Benelli 2011). Furthermore, older experienced parasitoids were observed attacking FCM larvae in the jars in the absence of frass, a behaviour that was absent in naïve parasitoids.…”

Lateralisation of aggressive displays in a tephritid fly

“…Insect rearing and general observations C. capitata was reared as described by Canale and Benelli (2012). The production units are composed of cylindrical Wing strike Attacker brings forward a wing and strikes the opponent 10 Dive Attacker flies onto the opponent and retreats quickly 11…”

Male-Male Sexual Behavior in the Parasitic WaspPsyttalia concolor

“…Unreceptive females walk away from males. During copula, the female remains completely immobile, and the male continues to do antennal tapping on the female's head and thorax (Benelli et al 2012b; Canale et al 2012). …”