Host exploitation and contest behavior in a generalist parasitoid partially reflect quality of distinct host species

Abstract

Information use determines parasitoid adaptive behavior in general, and host specialization or fitness in specific. Information regarding host suitability could affect sex allocation behavior, host exploitation, or aggressiveness in dyadic contests. In this paper, we relate aggressiveness of the pupal parasitoid Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) with sex allocation and host exploitation when presented with different host species. More specifically, we presented parasitoids with puparia of five different Dipteran species: Drosophila melanogaster (Drosophilidae), Musca domestica (Muscidae), Anastrepha obliqua, Anastrepha fraterculus, and Ceratitis capitata (Tephritidae). Puparia of above species greatly varied in size and volume, were parasitized to differing extent and had varying fitness implications for P. vindemmiae. Using a composite measure of selected fitness currencies (i.e., parasitism level, offspring size, longevity and sex ratio), we typified D. melanogaster and A. obliqua as 'low quality' hosts for P. vindemmiae while puparia of C. capitata and A. fraterculus were considered of 'high quality'. In contest dyads, female aggressiveness and host exploitation behavior differed between host species. Wasps exhibited highest frequencies of antennal striking and rival pursuit, and high degrees of puparium mounting, antennating and probing on C. capitata. Antennal striking frequency however was equally high on 'low quality' hosts such as D. melanogaster and A. obliqua. This work shows that a generalist parasitoid such as P. vindemmiae assesses host quality when confronted with hosts of differing species, size or nutritional suitability and employs such to define sex allocation, host exploitation, and contest behavior. However, contest and exploitation behavior only partially indicate host quality and broader parasitoid fitness implications. This work has further implications for parasitoid mass rearing and use of P. vindemmiae for biological control of Dipteran pests.

Hyperparasitism in a Generalist Ectoparasitic Pupal Parasitoid, Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), on Its Own Conspecifics: When the Lack of Resource Lead to Cannibalism

“…melanogaster as hosts, offspring of P . vindemmiae were smaller in size, with reduced longevity compared to when parasitizing other larger puparia of other species [ 28 ]. When superparasitize on a single host, the parasitoid would be forced to feed on the remains of the host after the consumption of the primary conspecifics, with reduced body size [ 11 ].…”

Validation of a methodology for rearingSpalangia cameroni(Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) onCeratitis capitata(Diptera: Tephritidae)

“…In a previous study (Tormos et al 2010), we began to evaluate the possibility of using C. capitata pupae killed by cold shock in a laboratory-scale S. cameroni breeding programme, analogous to the successful use of cold-shock-killed M. domestica pupae to rear this parasitoid, reported by Geden and Kaufman (2007), Kaufman and Geden (2009), and Ogawa et al (2012). Freeze-killed C. capitata pupae have also recently been used in laboratory assays with Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) (Wyckhuys et al 2011). Cold shock (defined as exposure to − 20°C for 60 minutes) results in 100% host death, and lengthens the storage life of Diptera pupae (which is otherwise only about 2 or 3 days) to as long as 30 days (maintained at between + 4°C and + 5°C).…”

Concepts and Methods of Quality Assurance for Mass-Reared Parasitoids and Predators

“…More effective natural enemy species or strains are sought, along with better colonization procedures (Hoffman et al, 1984;Leppla, 1989;Nunney, 2002;Benedict et al, 2009). Typical examples are plants or diets that produce more natural enemies or sometimes suitable alternative hosts (Bernal et al, 1999;Blossey and Hunt, 1999;Karamaouna and Copland, 2000;Serrano and Lapointe, 2002;Wheeler, 2003Wheeler, , 2006Geden and Kaufman, 2007;Giang and Ueno, 2007;Van Hezewijk et al, 2008;Grenier, 2009;Henry et al, 2010;Wyckhuys et al, 2011). Typical examples are plants or diets that produce more natural enemies or sometimes suitable alternative hosts (Bernal et al, 1999;Blossey and Hunt, 1999;Karamaouna and Copland, 2000;Serrano and Lapointe, 2002;Wheeler, 2003Wheeler, , 2006Geden and Kaufman, 2007;Giang and Ueno, 2007;Van Hezewijk et al, 2008;Grenier, 2009;Henry et al, 2010;Wyckhuys et al, 2011).…”