Abstract
This paper is based on 20 months survey and laboratory studies of the parasitoids ofSpodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lep.: Noctuidae) carried out in Cyprus in 1971–72. Regular sampling revealed the presence of 19 further macrolepidopterous members of the ecosystem, includingS. exigua (Hbn.),Heliothis spp. and “Plusia” spp. Attacking these were a complex of at least 37 named primary parasitoids and a single secondary parasitoid. The commonest were the ichneumonidHyposoter didymator (Thnb.) and the braconidsChelonus inanitus (L.),Meteorus unicolor (Wesm.) andMicroplitis rufiventris Kok. and notes on their hosts, hostplants and biology are given.
Almost all of the parasitoids were polyphagous and this, together with a wide range of hostplants, appears to improve the carry-over of the parasitoids and permit for greater parasitism of the main pests,S. littoralis andS. exigua. The % parasitism is shown to vary greatly with the situation, being highest in unsprayed lucerne field and unsprayed market gardens, and lowest in potato fields and sprayed vegetable plots.
Recommendations are made for possible reductions in crop spraying, permitting the growth of weeds, under certain conditions, mass-rearing and liberation of an endemic parasitoid (C. inanitus) and filling gaps in the parasite complex by the introduction of exotic parasitoids.
Résumé
Cet article a pour base 20 mois de prospection et d'études en laboratoire des parasitoïdes deSpodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) à Chypre en 1971–72.
Un échantillonnage régulier a révélé la présence de 19 autres macrolépidoptères faisant partie de l'écosystème, notammentS. exigua (Hbn.),Heliothis spp. et «Plusia». Ils sont attaqués par au moins 37 parasitoïdes primaires déterminés et par un seul parasitoïde secondaire. On donne de brèves indications sur leurs hôtes, leur fréquence, leurs plantes-hôtes et leur biologie. Les plus courants sont l'ichneumonideHyposoter didymator (Thnb.) et les braconides,Chelonus inanitus (L.),Meteorus unicolor (Wesm.) etMicroplitis rufiventris Kok.
Presque tous les parasitoïdes sont polyphages et avec une large gamme de plantes-hôtes, ce qui semble améliorer la survie des parasitoïdes et permettre davantage de parasitisme des ravageurs principaux,S. littoralis etS. exigua. Le % de parasitisme varie considérablement suivant la situation; on trouve le plus élevé dans les champs de luzerne non traités et dans les cultures maraîchères non traitées et le plus bas dans les champs de pommes de terre et dans les cultures de légumes traitées.
On recommande de réduire autant que possible les pulvérisations des cultures, de laisser pousser les mauvaises herbes, dans certaines conditions, de réaliser l'élevage en masse et la libération d'un parasitoïde endémique (C. inanitus) et de combler les lacunes du complexe parasitaire par l'introduction de parasitoïdes exotiques.
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Ingram, W.R. The parasitoids ofSpodoptera littoralis [Lep.: Noctuidae] and their role in population control in Cyprus. Entomophaga 26, 23–37 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02371831
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02371831