Does rearing an aphid parasitoid on one host affect its ability to parasitize another species?

Abstract

1 Generalist parasitoids are commonly used for the biological control of insect pests; however, they are often reared on a single host species because this is more practical for commercial production. Few studies have investigated the consequences of rearing a generalist parasitoid on a single host species in terms of performance on other target pests. 2 We investigated the impact of rearing the generalist parasitoid Praon unicum Smith (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Aphidiinae) on an alternative aphid host Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera: Aphididae) with respect to its ability to perform on Ericaphis fimbriata Richards (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a pest of highbush blueberries. 3 Parasitoids reared on the two aphid hosts did not differ in physical size measurements. 4 Praon unicum reared on M. persicae had a lower oviposition success over 6 days compared with insects reared on E. fimbriata, mainly as a result of differences early in life. 5 There was no difference in parasitoid egg size, lifetime fertility, age-specific fertility, female offspring ratio, development time or calculated intrinsic rate of increase from the two aphid hosts. 6 We conclude that there were no negative consequences of rearing P. unicum on M. persicae on its ability to parasitize E. fimbriata, although further field studies would need to be performed to investigate whether natal host influences parasitoid preference.

Ecological specialization in Diaeretiella rapae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) on aphid species from wild and cultivated plants

“…Differences in performance might also result from parasitoid strains being continuously maintained on their aphid species of collection since sampling. Rearing on a single aphid host species was shown to have a positive impact on parasitoid success (Vafaie et al , 2013), enhance host recognition (Wickremasinghe & Van Emden, 1992; Storeck et al , 2000), and induce preference in host choice (Van Emden et al , 2008).…”

Feeding and Development ofNephaspis oculata(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on Rugose Spiraling Whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

“…Eggs (n = 30) were assumed to have a perfect prolate spheroid shape (Vafaie et al 2013) and the volume was calculated using the equation: V = 4/3π × a × b 2 , which is a formula for calculating the volume of a prolate spheroid where a is the major (longer) diameter of the ellipsoid and b is the minor diameter of the ellipsoid. The feeding rate data of N. oculata on rugose spiraling whitefly eggs were compared to the feeding rate data on B. tabaci eggs reared at the same temperature adopted from Liu et al (1997).…”

Avoidance of parasitized host by female wasps of Aphidius gifuensis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): The role of natal rearing effects and host availability?

“…Previous studies suggested that exclusive rearing of a parasitoid on one particular host may negatively affect its host recognition or preference on other hosts (Corrigan & Laing, 1994;Storeck et al, 2000;Morris & Fellows, 2002;Rehman & Powell, 2010). This adaptation on natal host could result from changes in behavioral cues that could influence host recognition, preference and acceptance, or chemical contamination (Vafaie et al, 2013).…”