Selective effects of floral food sources and honey on life‐history traits of a pest–parasitoid system

Abstract

Many parasitoids and their herbivorous hosts forage on the same floral resources in agroecosystems. Floral resources that benefit natural enemies without supporting pests can improve the efficacy of biological control agents. Here, we report the results of a study on selective effects of floral and non‐floral food sources on the life‐history traits of the parasitoid Diadegma insulare (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and its host Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). Under standard laboratory conditions, insects were exposed to four flowering plant species, 10% honey solution, and water. All food sources increased the longevity of the herbivore and its parasitoid by as much as four‐ to nine‐fold, respectively, compared to the water control diet. Diadegma insulare survived the longest on Thlaspi arvense L. (Brassicaceae) and P. xylostella on Sinapis arvensis L. (Brassicaceae). However, none of the food sources tested was beneficial to the parasitoid alone, though Lobularia maritima L. (Brassicaceae) was found to selectively favor the longevity of D. insulare. Diadegma insulare adults were heavier when fed on S. arvensis, whereas feeding on the honey solution led to higher body weights of P. xylostella. In conclusion, we demonstrated that floral and non‐floral food sources varied in their suitability and acted differently on life‐history traits of a host–parasitoid system. The selective characteristics of nectar‐producing plants and their influence on the herbivore‐natural enemy combination can, therefore, be employed to increase their impact in integrated P. xylostella management.

More Power with Flower for the Pupal Parasitoid Trichopria drosophilae: A Candidate for Biological Control of the Spotted Wing Drosophila

“…Sweet alyssum stays in flowers for a very long time, especially after one or two cuts; this thus matches perfectly with the proposed release period of the parasitoid from early summer to late autumn during susceptible stages of target crops (early and late ripening raspberries and blueberries). This plant ideally fulfills all the requirements for a suitable insectary plant and was found to increase fitness of various parasitoid species [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Hoverflies or predatory bugs, which can be important for controlling major berry pests, such as aphids or thrips, also benefit from sweet alyssum [ 41 , 42 , 43 ], making the introduction of this plant as a floral resource in berry production particularly worthwhile.…”

Effects of cold storage on life‐history traits ofAphidius matricariae

“…The amount of fat reserves available for emerging adults of parasitoid declines linearly with the duration of cold exposure (Colinet et al, 2006;Ismail et al, 2010;Silva et al, 2013;Kidane et al, 2015). Furthermore, adult longevity can be influenced by the type and amount of food consumed in the adult stage (Heimpel et al, 1997;Munir et al, 2018).…”

Orientation and Behavioural Responses of Cotesia plutellae (Kurdjumov) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Towards Honey and Sucrose

“…Different food sources have been reported to differ in their influence on longevity, fecundity, mobility and hostforaging activity of various parasitoids (Leius, 1961a, b;Hagley and Barber, 1992;Mitsunaga et al, 2004;Witting-Bissinger et al, 2008). The food sources that specifically enhance these life processes of parasitoids can be manipulated appropriately for boosting their populations on pest-infested crops to increase parasitization and suppression of their host pest populations (Munir et al, 2018).…”