Interactions between Diglyphus isaea and Neochrysocharis formosa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), two parasitoids of agromyzid leafminers

In this study, interactions between these two parasitoids and different parasitoid release modes were investigated. In Petri dishes, parasitoids were exposed to leaves infested with late second to early third instar Liriomyza sativae at two host density. The total death rate of N. formosa released alone was density-denpendent. Release modes also impacted the total death rate of parasitoids at a high host density. However, the oviposition number of D. isaea was significantly greater than that of N. formosa when they coexisted. In addition, host-feeding proportions were the greatest of the three host-killing behaviors: parasitism, host feeding and host stinging. These results contribute to a further understanding of parasitoids’ host-killing strategies.Graphical abstract

Source: Biological Control - July 18, 2018 Category: Biology Source Type: research