Abstract
We compare the growth and development
of two related solitary endoparasitoids (Braconidae,
Microgastinae) in different instars (second and third)
of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella. Cotesia
vestalis is a well-studied parasitoid whose larvae feed
primarily on host hemolymph and fat body whereas
Dolichogenidea sicaria is a parasitoid whose larvae
consume the entire host caterpillar before pupation.
Little is known about the biology of D. sicaria
including its association with P. xylostella. When
developing in L2 and L3 host instars, survival of both
parasitoids to adult was similar. However, development
time was longer in D. sicaria than in C. vestalis
but the adult wasps were also larger. Both species were
protandrous and exhibit sexual size dimorphism,
where females were the larger sex. Our results suggest
that D. sicaria is a promising new biological control
agent of P. xylostella, augmenting better studied
parasitoids such as C. vestalis.
of two related solitary endoparasitoids (Braconidae,
Microgastinae) in different instars (second and third)
of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella. Cotesia
vestalis is a well-studied parasitoid whose larvae feed
primarily on host hemolymph and fat body whereas
Dolichogenidea sicaria is a parasitoid whose larvae
consume the entire host caterpillar before pupation.
Little is known about the biology of D. sicaria
including its association with P. xylostella. When
developing in L2 and L3 host instars, survival of both
parasitoids to adult was similar. However, development
time was longer in D. sicaria than in C. vestalis
but the adult wasps were also larger. Both species were
protandrous and exhibit sexual size dimorphism,
where females were the larger sex. Our results suggest
that D. sicaria is a promising new biological control
agent of P. xylostella, augmenting better studied
parasitoids such as C. vestalis.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 149-155 |
| Journal | BioControl |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 10 Oct 2014 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |
Keywords
- Cotesia vestalis
- Development time
- Dolichogenidea sicaria
- Fitness
- Size
- Survival
- national