The endoparasitoid Psyllaephagus arenarius benefits from ectoparasitic venom via multiparasitism with the ectoparasitoid Tamarixia lyciumi

AbstractAs solitary nymphal parasitoids ofParatrioza sinica, the ectoparasitoidTamarixia lyciumi and the endoparasitoidPsyllaephagus arenarius act as effective biocontrol agents. Thus, it is necessary to facilitate mass productions of both species. Despite showing an excellent parasitic ability,Ps. arenarius is often trapped fatally inside 5th ‐instar nymphs ofPa. sinica due to strong host immunity. To improve the emergence rate ofPs. arenarius, we evaluated whetherPs. arenarius could utilizeT. lyciumi venom via multiparasitism, so the parasitism characteristics of both species were examined between separate ‐existence (monoparasitism only) and co‐existence (mono‐ and multiparasitism) systems. Further, the parasitism characteristics ofPs. arenarius on venom ‐injected hosts with/withoutT. lyciumi eggs were tested to further identify the facilitator. The results showed the parasitism rate ofT. lyciumi was increased while that ofPs. arenarius did not change from separate ‐existence to co‐existence systems. The intrinsic performances of two species in monoparasitism did not differ between separate‐ and co‐existence systems. From monoparasitism (separate‐existence) to multiparasitism (co‐existence), no differences were detected in the intrinsic performance s ofT. lyciumi, but those ofPs. arenarius were greatly improved. AfterT. lyciumi venom injection, the parasitism characteristics ofPs. arenarius did not differ between venom ‐injected hosts withT. lyciumi...
Source: Insect Science - Category: Biology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research