Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Relative importance of infochemicals from first and second trophic level in long-range host location by the larval parasitoidCotesia glomerata

  • Published:
Journal of Chemical Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Recently parasitoids were hypothesized to encounter a reliability-detectability problem relating to chemical stimuli from the first and second trophic level, when searching for hosts. The relative role of infochemicals originating from the host,Pieris brassicae (second trophic level), and its food plant, cabbage (first trophic level), have been investigated with respect to long-range host location by the larval parasitoidCotesia glomerata. Flight-chamber dual choice tests showed that uninfested cabbage plants are least attractive to female wasps. Host larvae and their feces were more attractive than clean plants but far less attractive than artificially damaged and herbivore-damaged plants. The plant-host complex, with host larvae actively feeding on the plant, was the most attractive odor source for the parasitoids. The data indicate that one of the solutionsC. glomerata uses to solve the reliability-detectability problem is to respond to infochemicals that are emitted from herbivore-damaged plants. Whether these infochemicals are herbivore-induced synomones that are produced by the plant remains to be demonstrated. Infochemicals emitted by the herbivore or its by-products are of little importance in the foraging behavior ofC. glomerata.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Dicke, M. 1988. Prey preference of the phytoseiid miteTyphlodromus pyri: 1. Response to volatile kairomones.Exp. Appl. Acarol. 4:1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dicke, M., andSabelis, M.W. 1988. How plants obtain predatory mites as bodyguards.Neth. J. Zool. 38:148–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dicke, M., andTakabayashi, J. 1991. Specificity of induced indirect defence of plants against herbivores.Redia 74(3)Appendix: 105–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dicke, M., Jong, M. de, Alers, M.P.T., Stelder, F.C.T., Wunderink, R., andPost, J. 1989. Quality control of mass-reared arthropods: Nutritional effects on performance of predatory mites.J. Appl. Entomol. 108:462–475.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dicke, M.,Baarlen, P.Van, Wessels, R., andDŸkman, H. 1993. Herbivory induces systemic production of plant volatiles that attract the herbivore's predators: extraction of endogenous elicitor.J. Chem. Ecol. 19 (in press).

  • Dicke, M., Beek, T.A. van, Posthumus, M.A., Ben Dom, N., Bokhoven, H. van, andGroot, Ae. de 1990a. Isolation and identification of volatile kairomone that affects acarine predatorprey interactions. Involvement of host plant in its production.J. Chem. Ecol. 16:381–396.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dicke, M., Sabelis, M.W., Takabayashi, J., Bruin, J., andPosthumus, M.A. 1990b. Plant strategies of manipulating predator-prey interactions through allelochemicals: prospects for application in pest control.J. Chem. Ecol. 16:3091–3118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding, D., Swedenborg, P.D., andJones, R.L. 1989. Plant odor preferences and learning inMacrocentrus grandii (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a larval parasitoid of the European corn borer,Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).J. Kans. Entomol. Soc. 62:164–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eller, F.J., Tumlinson, J.H., andLewis, W.J. 1988a. Beneficial arthropod behavior mediated by airborne semiochemicals. VII Source of volatiles mediating the host-location flight behavior ofMicroplitis croceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid ofHeliothis zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).Environ. Entomol. 17:745–753.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eller, F.J., Tumlinson, J.H., andLewis, W.J. 1988b. Beneficial arthropod behavior mediated by airborne semiochemicals. II. Olfactometric studies of host location by the parasitoidMicroplitis croceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).J. Chem. Ecol. 14:425–434.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elst, I.F.A.M., Vernede, R., andPak, G.A. 1991. Response of the parasitoid waspCotesia glomerata to odour cues from the host-habitat complex.Proc. Exp. Appl. Entomol. 2:109–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elzen, G.W., Williams, H.J., andVinson, S.B. 1983. Response by the parasitoidCampoletis sonorensis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) to chemicals (synomones) in plants: implications for host habitat location.Environ. Entomol. 12:1873–1877.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elzen, G.W., Williams, H.J., andVinson, S.B. 1984. Role of diet in host selection ofHeliothis virescens by parasitoidCampoletis sonorensis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae).J. Chem. Ecol. 10:1535–1541.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, L., andCardé, R.T. 1992. In-flight orientation to volatiles from the plant-host complex inCotesia rubecula (Hym.: Braconidae): increased sensitivity through olfactory experience.Physiol. Entomol. 17:62–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller, M.A. 1990. Responses of the parasitoidCotesia rubecula to its hostPieris rapae in a flight tunnel.Entomol. Exp. Appl. 57:243–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitano, H. 1978. Studies on the ovipositing activity and host-searching behavior ofApanteles glomeratus L. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), a parasitoid on the cabbage white butterfly.Kontyu Tokyo 46:152–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laing, J.E., andLevin, D.B. 1982. A review of the biology and bibliography ofApanteles glomeratus (L.) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).Biocontrol News Information 3:7–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, W.J., Nordlund, D.A., Gueldner, R.C., Teal, P.E.A., andTumlinson, J.H. 1982. Kairomones and their use for management of entomophagous insects. XIII. Kairomonal activity forTrichogramma spp. of abdominal tips, excretion, and a synthetic sex pheromone blend ofHeliothis zea (Boddie) moths.J. Chem. Ecol. 8:1323–1331.

    Google Scholar 

  • McAuslane, H.J., Vinson, S.B., andWilliams, H.J. 1991. Stimuli influencing host microhabitat location in the parasitoidCampoletis sonorensis.Entomol. Exp. Appl. 58:267–277.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mizell, R.F., III, Frazier, J.L., andNebeker, T.E. 1984. Response of the clerid predatorThanasimus dubius (F.) to bark beetle pheromones and tree volatiles in a wind tunnel.J. Chem. Ecol. 10:177–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monteith, L.G. 1964. Influence of the health of food plant of the host on host-finding by tachinid parasites.Can. Entomol. 96:1477–1482.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nealis, V.G. 1986. Responses to host kairomones and foraging behaviour of the insect parasiteCotesia rubecula (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).Can. J. Zool. 64:2393–2398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nettles, W.C. 1980. AdultEucelatoria sp.: Response to volatiles from cotton and okra plants and from larvae ofHeliothis virescens, Spodoptera eridania, andEstigmene acrea.Environ. Entomol. 9:759–763.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noldus, L.P.J.J., Lenteren, J.C. van, andLewis, W.J. 1991. HowTrichogramma parasitoids use moth sex pheromones as kairomone: orientation behaviour in a wind tunnel.Physiol. Entomol. 16:313–327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nordlund, D.A., Jones, R.L., andLewis, W.J. (eds.). 1981. Semiochemicals, Their Role in Pest Control. Wiley & Sons, New York, 306 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roth, J.P., King, E.G., andHensley, S.D. 1982. Plant, host, and parasite interactions in the host selection sequence of the tachinidLixophaga diatraeae.Environ. Entomol. 11:273–277.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabelis, M.W., Afman, B.P., andSlim, P.J. 1984. Location of distant spider mite colonies byPhytoseiulus persimilis: localization and extraction of a kairomone.Acarology 6 (1):431–440.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sato, Y. 1979. Experimental studies on parasitization byApanteles glomeratus. IV. Factors leading a female to the host.Physiol. Entomol. 4:63–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokal, R.R., andRohlf, F.J. 1981. Biometry. W.H. Freeman & Company, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinberg, S., Dicke, M., Vet, L.E.M., andWanningen, R. 1992. Response of the braconid parasitoidCotesia (= Apanteles) glomerata to volatile infochemicals: Effect of bioassay setup, parasitoid age and experience and barometric flux.Entomol. Exp. Appl. 63:163–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takabayashi, J., Dicke, M., andPosthumus, M. A. 1991a. Variation in composition of predatorattracting allelochemicals emitted by herbivore-infested plants: relative influence of plant and herbivore.Chemoecology 2:1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takabayashi, J., Dicke, M., andPosthumus, M.A. 1991b. Induction of indirect defence against spider-mites in uninfested lima bean leaves.Phytochemistry 30:1459–1462.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turlings, T.C.J., andTumlinson, J.H. 1992. Systemic release of chemical signals by herbivoreinjured corn.Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89:8399–8402.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Turlings, T.C.J., Scheepmaker, J.W.A., Vet, L.E.M., Tumlinson, J.H., andLewis, W.J. 1990a. How contact foraging experiences affect preferences for host-related odors in the larval parasitoidCotesia marginiventris (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).J. Chem. Ecol. 16:1577–1589.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turlings, T.C.J., Tumlinson, J.H., andLewis, W.J. 1990b. Exploitation of herbivore-induced plant odors by host-seeking parasitic wasps.Science 250:1251–1253.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turlings, T.C.J., Tumlinson, J.H., Eller, F.J., andLewis, W.J. 1991a. Larval-damaged plants: Source of volatile synomones that guide the parasitoidCotesia marginiventris to the microhabitat of its hosts.Entomol. Exp. Appl. 58:75–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turlings, T.C.J., Tumlinson, J.H., Heath, R.R., Proveaus, A.T., andDoolittle, R.E. 1991b. Isolation and identification of allelochemicals that attract the larval parasitoid,Cotesia marginiventris (Cresson), to the microhabitat of one of its hosts.J. Chem. Ecol. 17:2235–2251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ullyet, G.C. 1953. Biomathematics and insect population problems.Entomol. Soc. South Afr. Mem. 2:1–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vet, L.E.M. 1985. Olfactory microhabitat location in some eucoilid and alysiine species (Hymenoptera), larval parasitolds of Diptera.Neth. J. Zool. 35:720–730.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vet, L.E.M., andDicke, M. 1992. Ecology of infochemical use by natural enemies of herbivores in a tritrophic context.Annu. Rev. Entomol. 37:141–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vité, J., andWilliamson, D.L. 1970.Thanasimus dubius: prey perception.J. Insect Physiol. 16:233–239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vinson, S.B. 1976. Host selection by insect parasitoids.Annu. Rev. Entomol. 21:109–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vinson, S.B. 1981. Habitat location, pp. 51–77,in D.A. Nordlund, R.L. Jones, and W.J. Lewis (eds.). Semiochemicals: Their Role in Pest Control. Wiley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • WÄckers, F.L., andLewis, W.J. 1992. Olfactory and visual learning and their interaction in host site location byMicroplitis croceipes. Biol. Control In press.

  • Weseloh, R.M. 1981. Host location by parasitoids, pp. 79–95,in D.A. Nordlund, R.L. Jones, and W.J. Lewis (eds.). Semiochemicals: Their Role in Pest Control. Wiley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiskerke, J.S.C., andVet, L.E.M. 1991. Comparison of twoCotesia species foraging for solitarily and gregariously feedingPieris host species.Proc. Exp. Appl. Entomol. 2:190–195.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Shimon Steinberg

    Present address: Biological Control Industries, Sde Eliyahu, 10810, Bet Shean Valley, Israel

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Agricultural University, P.O. Box 8031, 6700 EH, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Shimon Steinberg, Marcel Dicke & Louise E. M. Vet

Authors
  1. Shimon Steinberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marcel Dicke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Louise E. M. Vet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Steinberg, S., Dicke, M. & Vet, L.E.M. Relative importance of infochemicals from first and second trophic level in long-range host location by the larval parasitoidCotesia glomerata . J Chem Ecol 19, 47–59 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987470

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987470

Key Words

Search

Navigation