Superparasitism and host discrimination behavior of Eretmocerus warraeNaumann & Schmidt (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

Abstract

Eretmocerus warrae Naumann & Schmidt is a thelytokous parasitoid that attacks the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum. Its host discrimination and superparasitism behavior was investigated at different host densities and time intervals between the first and second ovipositions under laboratory conditions (22 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% RH, a 16:8 light:dark photoperiod). At a density of between 10 and 15 hosts, significantly fewer ovipositions in parasitized nymphs were performed by the same experienced parasitoids (SEPs) or by different experienced parasitoids (DEPs) than by naïve parasitoids (NPs) 1 and 24 h after parasitization by the first female. However, at a host density of 15 nymphs, SEPs, NPs, and DEPs allocated significantly fewer eggs in the parasitized hosts than at that a density of 10 nymphs. Our results also showed that with the increase of host density from 20 to 140, the superparasitism rate of E. warrae significantly decreased. The findings from this study in relation to the mass rearing of E. warrae or field release are discussed.

Insight into the success of whitefly biological control using parasitoids: evidence from theEretmocerus warrae−Trialeurodes vaporariorumsystem

“…The pro‐synovigenic nature of the parasitoid is probably the prerequisite for the evolution of this ability. Because newly emerged parasitoids carry a substantial number of mature eggs (≈30), they can either delay or reduce host feeding and focus on parasitization in a competitive environment (high parasitoid density). This strategy is advantageous for the application of the augmentation approach to effective suppression of whitefly populations.…”

“…Among the six Eretmocerus species that have been reared from T. vaporariorum , E. warrae Naumann and Schmidt (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is a thelytokous (no males) and specialist parasitoid . Like other Eretmocerus species, E. warrae insert their ovipositors and lay eggs between the whitefly nymphs and the leaf surface, eggs hatch under the hosts, and the first instar larvae penetrate the hosts when the latter reach the fourth instar .…”

Effect of Diet, Photoperiod and Host Density on Parasitism of <i>Anisopteromalus calandrae</i> on the Tobacco Beetle and Biological Parameters of the Parasitoid

“…Hanan et al [24] who also evaluated the density of the host, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood, 1856) (Hem. Aleyrodidae) under parasitism of Eretmocerus warrae Naumann & Schimidt, 2000 (Hym.…”

Functional Response of Eretmocerus delhiensis on Trialeurodes vaporariorum by Parasitism and Host Feeding

“…(Lopez and Botto 1997) and E. eremicus (Gamborena and van Lenteren 2004) as an agent for biological control were studies on greenhouse whitefly. Also, investigation on reproductive biology of E. warrae a thelytokous parasitoid of T. vaporariorum showed that this parasitoid can potentially contribute to biological control of greenhouse whitefly (Hanan 2012). …”