The response of four braconid parasitoid species to methyl eugenol: optimization of a biocontrol tactic to suppress Bactrocera dorsalis

This study evaluated the effects of ME on braconid parasitoids. Based on the results from olfactometer bioassays, all parasitoid species were significantly repelled by undiluted ME. Furthermore, attractant-influenced behavioral activities occurred at relatively low concentrations of ME (e.g., 0.01, 0.1, and 1 μl/ml), whereas the effects of the repellent increased to significant levels as the concentration increased. There were no significant differences in electroantennogram (EAG) responses among different doses of ME, but the number of F. arisanus parasitoids attracted to traps containing host eggs decreased significantly at higher concentrations, e.g., 10, 100 and 1000 μl/ml. In addition, the number of F. arisanus females that were attracted to the host egg trap decreased significantly with higher concentrations of ME (10, 100 and 1 μl/ml). The number of F. arisanus females that exhibited ovipositional behavior in an environment without ME was significantly higher than those with different concentrations of ME. This study improves our understanding of control tactic interactions as well as the optimization of various processes involved in the IPM program. Graphical abstract
Source: Biological Control - Category: Biology Source Type: research