| Title: | Cues Triggering Mating and Host-Seeking Behavior in the Aphid Parasitoid Aphidius colemani (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae): Implications for Biological Control |
| Author(s): | Benelli G; Messing RH; Wright MG; Giunti G; Kavallieratos NG; Canale A; |
| Address: | "Insect Behavior Group, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy. g.benelli@sssup.it benelli.giovanni@gmail.com. Kauai Agricultural Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 7370 Kuamo'o Rd., Kapaa, HI 97646. Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 3050 Maile Way, Honolulu, HI. Insect Behavior Group, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy. Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 Stefanou Delta str., 14561 Kifissia, Attica, Greece" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 0022-0493 (Print) 0022-0493 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Aphidius colemani Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) is a pan-tropical, broadly oligophagous, solitary endoparasitoid of many aphids of economic importance. Here, we review current knowledge about this important biological control agent, with a special focus on the physical and chemical cues triggering mating and host-seeking behavior. First, we focus on female-borne olfactory cues evoking courtship in A. colemani males, as well as on the relationship between male mating performance and quality of the host species. Second, we examine how A. colemani females forage for hosts and assess their suitability, using both aphid-borne kairomones and host-related physical cues. Third, we review A. colemani-based biological control approaches, outlining how knowledge of its reproductive behavioral ecology may enhance biological control of aphid pests. Concepts for future biocontrol programs are outlined, including 1) use of sex attractant dispensers for monitoring, 2) mass-rearing optimization based on knowledge of mate-finding strategies and sexually selected traits, 3) deployment of aphid-borne foraging kairomones as field lures to attract parasitoids into infested agro-ecosystems, 4) use of sensitization or associative learning practices to optimize efficacy of mass-reared wasps" |
| Keywords: | "Animals Aphids/*parasitology Cues Host-Parasite Interactions/*physiology Host-Seeking Behavior/*physiology *Pest Control, Biological Sexual Behavior, Animal/*physiology Smell Wasps/parasitology/*physiology courtship foraging kairomone host location learni;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineBenelli, Giovanni Messing, Russell H Wright, Mark G Giunti, Giulia Kavallieratos, Nickolas G Canale, Angelo eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review England 2015/10/16 J Econ Entomol. 2014 Dec; 107(6):2005-22. doi: 10.1603/EC14291" |
