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Larviposition response ofBonnetia comta [Dipt.: Tachinidae] to a kairomone ofAgrotis ipsilon [Lep.: Noctuidae]

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Abstract

A kairomone in the frass and vomitus of larvae ofAgrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) triggered larviposition activity in its habitual parasitoidBonnetia comta (Fallen) (Diptera: Tachinidae). Laboratory bioassays showed that no measurable differences existed in the larviposition-stimulating activity of frass fromA. ipsilon larvae reared on 3 different food sources. In other tests, corn seedlings damaged by late-instar larvae ofA. ipsilon elicited strong larviposition activity inB. comta; other corn seedlings damaged with a razor blade did not elicit strong activity. Frass aged for 8-days was only slightly less effective at releasing a larviposition response when compared to fresh frass.B. comta was not stimulated to larviposit by oven dried frass or an India ink dot the color and shape of a fresh pellet from a host larva. The host habitat location and host finding process forB. comta and other tachinid species that deposit free-living maggots is discussed.

Résumé

Une kairomone localisée dans les fécès et les régurgitations des larves d'Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) [Lepideptora: Noctuidae] d['eclenchait l'activité de ponte chez son parasitoïde habituelBonnetia comta (Fallén) [Diptera Tachinidae]. Des titrages biologiques de laboratoire montraient qu'il n'existait pas de différences mesurables dans l'activité stimulant la ponte des fécès larvaires d'A. ipsilon élevé sur trois sources de nourritures différentes. Dans d'autres essais des semis de maïs endommagés par les derniers stades larvaires d'A. ipsilon provoquaient une forte activité de ponte chezB. comta; d'autres semis de maïs endommagés avec une lame de rasoir ne provoquaient pas de réaction comparable. Des fécès âgés de 8 jours étaient juste un peu moins efficaces à déclencher un réflexe de ponte que comparativement des fécès frais.B. comta n'était pas incité à pondre par des fécès séchés au four ou un point d'encre de Chine imitant par la couleur et la forme une partie des fécès frais de la larve. La localisation de l'habitat de l'hôte et le processus de recherche de l'hôte chezB. comta et les autres espèces de Tachinaires qui expulsent des larves néonates vivantes sont discutés.

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Author notes

  1. S. L. Clement

    Present address: Biological Control of Weeds Laboratory, Europe-c/o American Embassy-Agric., USDA, ARS, APO NY 09794-0007, U.S.A.

  2. W. L. Rubink

    Present address: Screwworm Research, USDA, ARS, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Apartado Postal # 544, Chiapas, Mexico

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Entomology, The Ohio State University, 44691, Wooster, OH., U.S.A.

    S. L. Clement, W. L. Rubink & D. A. McCartney

  2. The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, 44691, Wooster, OH., U.S.A.

    S. L. Clement, W. L. Rubink & D. A. McCartney

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  1. S. L. Clement
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Additional information

Approved for publication as Journal Article No. 163-84 of The Ohio State University and The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. This work was supported in part by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant R-805429.

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Clement, S.L., Rubink, W.L. & McCartney, D.A. Larviposition response ofBonnetia comta [Dipt.: Tachinidae] to a kairomone ofAgrotis ipsilon [Lep.: Noctuidae] . Entomophaga 31, 277–284 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02373337

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