Abstract
Interspecific competition within larvae of the fall army worm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), by the larval parasitoids, Cotesia (= Apanteles) marginiventris Cresson and Microplitis manilae Ashmead, and the egg-larval parasitoid Chelonus insularis Cresson was studied. Chelonus insularis was not able to compete successfully against Cotesia marginiventris, but was a successful competitor against Microplitis manilae. Multiple parasitization of larvae by either Cotesia marginiventris or Microplitis manilae, which as eggs were parasitized by Chelonus insularis, did not result in additional host mortality. Percentage parasitization under greenhouse conditions by Cotesia marginiventris of larvae parasitized previously by Chelonus insularis was two-fold higher in corn compared to sorghum and more than four-fold higher compared to Bermuda grass and itch grass. The host finding and behavioural sequence of oviposition of Cotesia marginiventris in FAW larvae already parasitized by Chelonus insularis consisted of nine steps. Microplitis manilae females changed their behaviour significantly by displaying a reduction of ca. fifty per cent in host examinations, 45% in ovipositor probes, and 55% in apparent ovipositions when Chelonus insularis parasitized larvae were presented. Cotesia marginiventris and Microplitis manilae exhibited no significant behavioural changes in the per cent contacts, examinations and apparent ovipositions when attacking larvae parasitized previously by either Cotesia marginiventris or Microplitis manilae.
Résumé
Les recherches ont faites sur la compétition entre différentes espèces des Chenilles de la leucanie, le Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), par les parasitoides larvaires Cotesia (=Apanteles) marginiventris de Cresson et le Microplitis manilae d’Ashmead, et la parasitoïde Chelonus insularis de Cresson. Le Chelonus insularis n’était pas capable de battre le Cotesia marginiventris, mais il a réussi dans la compétition contre le Microplitis manilae. La vie parasitaire des larves soit par le Cotesia marginiventris ou par le Microplitis manilae, lesquelles ont été déposées en forme d’oeufs par le Chelonus insularis n’a pas abouti à détruire l’hôte. Sous les conditions en serve, le pourcentage des larves parasites déposées par le Cotesia marginiventris par rapport à celles déposées au préalable par le Chelonus insularis était deux fois plus élevé dans le maïs que dans les herbes qui causent des démangeaisons. La quête de l’hôte et la suite de changements comportementaux de la disposition des oeufs du Cotesia marginiventris comprenait neuf stades. Les femelles du Microplitis manilae ont beaucoup changé leur comportement en déployant une réduction du calcium. Cinquante pour cent dans l’examen de l’hôte, 45% dans la manière de déposer les oeufs, et 55% dans les dépôts apparents d’oeufs quand on mettait en leur présence des larves parasites Chelonus insularis. Le Cotesia marginiventris et le Microplitis manilae ne montraient pas de changements comportementaux en pour cent dans les domaines de contacts, d’examens et de dépôts apparents d’oeufs au moment d’attaquer des larves parasites déposées préalablement soit par le Cotesia marginiventris ou par le Microplitis manilae.
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Rajapakse, R.H.S., Ashley, T.R. & Waddill, H. Interspecific Competition Between Parasitoids of the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera Frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Int J Trop Insect Sci 12, 473–480 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400011383
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400011383