Influence of egg depth in host plants on parasitism ofScolylbopa australis(Homoptera: Ricaniidae) byCentrodora scolypopae(Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

Abstract

Percentage parasitism of the eggs of the passion vine hopper (Scolypopa australis) by Centrodora scolypopae varies with the host plant. The depth of the S. australis eggs below the surface was measured on Pteridium aquilinum var esculentum, Rubus fruticosus agg., Berberii darwinii, Polygonurn conuoluulus, Coriuria arborea and Cyathea sp., and related to the observed parasitism. It was found that egg depth varied between plant species, ranging from 0.30 +-.08 mm in P. aquilinum to 0.48 f .O1 mm in R. fruticosus and was inversely related to level of parasitism. Differing parts of the same plant varied in parasitism levels, with the shallow eggs on the thorns of B. darwinii and racemes of C. arborea having higher levels of parasitism than those in the stems. The average length of the C. scolypopae ovipositor was 0.60 20.1 mm. Many eggs laid in plants with soft stems were beyond the reach of the parasite, whereas host eggs laid at shallow depths in hard plant tissues were accessible and thus were parasitised heavily.

Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Geographic Variation in the Ovipositor Length of a Cricket

“…Where, when, and how eggs are laid can influence an offspring's access to critical resources (Murray 1985, Weis and Abrahamson 1985, Fox eta!. 1994, susceptibility to environmental stress (Masaki 1986), resistance to parasitisism (Gerard 1989, Romstock-Yolk! 1990, and competition with heterospecifics and conspecifics (Kruger and Mills 1990).…”

Vibrational Communication of Scolypopa australis (Walker, 1851) (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae)—Towards a Novel Sustainable Pest Management Tool

“…If S. australis mating relies on vibrational signals, a future control strategy could involve the transmission of specific vibrations along the kiwifruit structural wires to interfere with the male-female communication. However, as S. australis is a polyphagous insect and moves into the kiwifruit orchard from the surrounding host plants [25], a management strategy could also involve the application of repellent vibrational signals, which could reduce the settling of the pest in the orchard. Harnessing gains in power production and storage, multi-modal traps including communication signals like vibrations and odours could be developed to catch novel pest insects.…”