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Impact of mass-rearing on the host seeking behaviour and parasitism by the fruit fly parasitoid Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

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Abstract

Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a koinobiont larval–pupal endoparasitoid of a large number of tephritids. P. concolor can be commonly reared on fully grown Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) larvae. In our laboratory, over 180 consecutive generations have been completed on C. capitata. In this study, we tested the possibility that the uninterrupted mass-rearing of P. concolor on C. capitata may influence its host location and parasitisation behaviours when used against Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), the fruit fly commonly targeted in mass release of P. concolor in olive-groves. Choice and no-choice tests were used with naïve and experienced P. concolor females exposed to B. oleae and/or C. capitata larvae. The study showed no significant difference in oviposition behaviours and host acceptance when provided either C. capitata or B. oleae. However, the study did show that experience on a host plus a substrate complex could influence host preferences, since females that had previous oviposition experience on a given host species searched and chose significantly more when the same host species was presented, both in choice and no-choice conditions. Therefore, within the context of the pest management of fruit flies, it could be very useful to incorporate procedures in insectary-propagated fruit fly parasitoids designed to provide adequate training (i.e. oviposition experience) on the fruit fly species needing to be controlled.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. A. J. Wallwork for proofreading the English.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Tree Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology G. Scaramuzzi—Entomology Section, University of Pisa, Via San Michele Degli Scalzi 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy

    Angelo Canale & Giovanni Benelli

  2. Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Piazza Martiri Della Libertà 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy

    Giovanni Benelli

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  1. Angelo Canale
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  2. Giovanni Benelli
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Correspondence to Angelo Canale.

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Communicated by R. Meyhöfer.

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Canale, A., Benelli, G. Impact of mass-rearing on the host seeking behaviour and parasitism by the fruit fly parasitoid Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). J Pest Sci 85, 65–74 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-011-0382-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-011-0382-1

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