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J Insect Behav (2013) 26:3550
DOI 10.1007/s10905-012-9331-y
Javad Karimzadeh & Jim Hardie & Denis J. Wright
Revised: 2 April 2012 /Accepted: 5 April 2012 /
Published online: 29 April 2012# Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012
Abstract Understanding the factors influencing host-selection behavior of parasitoids is essential in studies on host-parasitoid ecology and evolution, and in combining sustainable strategies of pest management, such as host-plant resistance and biological control. The effects of host-plant resistance on the olfactory response and parasitism success by Cotesia vestalis, a parasitoid of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) larvae were examined. Here, it was demonstrated that host-plant resistance can strongly influence foraging behavior and parasitism success of the parasitoid. In olfactometer experiments, C. vestalis did not differentiate between crucifer plant types with similar levels of susceptibility or resistance to P. xylostella but showed a strong preference for susceptible compared with partially-resistant host plants. The influence of previous oviposition activity varied with the host-plant type experienced by the parasitoid. In cage experiments, C. vestalis preferred to parasitize P. xylostella larvae on a susceptible plant compared with larvae on a partially resistant host plant when exposed to hosts for 24 h. However, this preference appeared to be transitory, and was not found after 96 h exposure. The present study suggests that combining partial host-plant resistance with biological control by C. vestalis for the control ofP. xylostella may in some circumstances be antagonistic and negatively affect parasitism success.
Keywords Plutella xylostella . Brassica . Cotesis vestalis . olfactory behaviour . tritrophic interactions . biocontrol
J. Karimzadeh : J. Hardie : D. J. Wright (*)
Division of Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park campus, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY, UKe-mail: [email protected]
J. Karimzadeh
Department of Plant Protection, Isfahan Research Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources, PO Box 199, Isfahan 81785, Iran
Plant Resistance Affects the Olfactory Response and Parasitism Success of Cotesia vestalis
36 J Insect Behav (2013) 26:3550
Introduction
Plants provide the primary interface between insect herbivores and their natural enemies (Howe and Schaller 2008; Dicke et al. 2009). In addition to the direct effects of plant characteristics such as plant morphology, semiochemicals and vegetation texture on natural enemies, plants can influence natural enemies indirectly through multitrophic interactions, including semiochemically-mediated processes, herbivore sequestration...