Will competition from Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) limit the success of the potential biocontrol agent Cotesia urabae Austin & Allen (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)?

Abstract

The competitive ability of the generalist parasitoid Meteorus pulchricornis was compared with that of the proposed new biological control agent Cotesia urabae to determine the impact the former species might have on the ability of the agent to control its host Uraba lugens Walker (Lepidoptera: Nolidae) in New Zealand. Behavioural observations were made of females of each species exposed together to groups of U. lugens larvae. Meteorus pulchricornis did not successfully attack U. lugens in the presence of C. urabae, and the mortality of the host in the presence of M. pulchricornis alone did not differ from mortality when no parasitoids were present. The presence of M. pulchricornis in the same arena did not reduce the impact of C. urabae on U. lugens compared to controls. Field collections of U. lugens larvae found limited evidence of larval parasitism by M. pulchricornis. These results suggest that the resident parasitoid M. pulchricornis is unlikely to interfere with the success of the proposed biological control agent C. urabae, should it be introduced to New Zealand.

Olfactory cues used in host‐habitat location and host location by the parasitoid Cotesia urabae

“…Cotesia urabae is believed to be host specific to U. lugens (Allen, 1990b), and is now confirmed as established in New Zealand (Avila et al, 2015). Cotesia urabae females are able to attack the same larva several times, but only one single parasitoid completes its development in each host larva (Berndt, 2010). Cotesia urabae females are able to attack the same larva several times, but only one single parasitoid completes its development in each host larva (Berndt, 2010).…”

“…Adult C. urabae females lay eggs inside U. lugens by inserting their ovipositors into the larvae. Several studies have been conducted on the biology (Allen, 1990b;Allen & Keller, 1991), phenology (Allen, 1990a), competition (Berndt, 2010), dispersal behaviour (Avila et al, 2013b), and host range (Berndt et al, 2009;Rowbottom et al, 2013;Avila et al, 2015) of C. urabae. Several studies have been conducted on the biology (Allen, 1990b;Allen & Keller, 1991), phenology (Allen, 1990a), competition (Berndt, 2010), dispersal behaviour (Avila et al, 2013b), and host range (Berndt et al, 2009;Rowbottom et al, 2013;Avila et al, 2015) of C. urabae.…”

“…Cotesia urabae females are able to attack the same larva several times, but only one single parasitoid completes its development in each host larva (Berndt, 2010). Several studies have been conducted on the biology (Allen, 1990b;Allen & Keller, 1991), phenology (Allen, 1990a), competition (Berndt, 2010), dispersal behaviour (Avila et al, 2013b), and host range (Berndt et al, 2009;Rowbottom et al, 2013;Avila et al, 2015) of C. urabae. However, its hostsearching behaviour has not been investigated, including the specific olfactory cues used by C. urabae in locating its host habitat, host insect, and mates.…”

Courtship and mating behaviour in the parasitoid waspCotesia urabae(Hymenoptera: Braconidae): mate location and the influence of competition and body size on male mating success

“…Cotesia urabae Austin and Allen (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a solitary, arrhenotokous larval endoparasitoid endemic to Australia that was introduced into New Zealand as a biological control agent against Uraba lugens Walker (Lepidoptera: Nolidae) (Avila et al , 2013 a ). Adult females oviposit their eggs inside U. lugens by inserting their ovipositors into larvae, and a single parasitoid completes its development in each host larva (Berndt, 2010). Previous studies conducted on C. urabae have focused on its biology (Allen, 1990 a ; Allen & Keller, 1991), phenology (Allen, 1990 b ), competition (Berndt, 2010), dispersal behaviour (Avila et al , 2013 b ), host range (Berndt et al , 2009; Rowbottom et al , 2013; Avila et al , 2015), and host searching behaviour (Avila et al , 2016 a , b ).…”

“…Adult females oviposit their eggs inside U. lugens by inserting their ovipositors into larvae, and a single parasitoid completes its development in each host larva (Berndt, 2010). Previous studies conducted on C. urabae have focused on its biology (Allen, 1990 a ; Allen & Keller, 1991), phenology (Allen, 1990 b ), competition (Berndt, 2010), dispersal behaviour (Avila et al , 2013 b ), host range (Berndt et al , 2009; Rowbottom et al , 2013; Avila et al , 2015), and host searching behaviour (Avila et al , 2016 a , b ). Additionally, there is just one previous study conducted on C. urabae describing a rearing methodology that included a recommended method to obtain mating (Berndt et al , 2013).…”