Host suitability and fitness-related parameters of Campoletis sonorensis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) as a parasitoid of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2013

Publication Title

Biological Control

Volume

64

Issue

1

First Page

10

Last Page

15

Abstract

The seven age-classes of Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) larvae evaluated in this study as hosts of Campoletis sonorensis indicates that early 2nd larval instar (3–5day-old larvae) of T. ni represents the most suitable host stage for the development of the larval endoparasitoid C. sonorensis. The higher suitability of early 2nd larval instar of T. ni resulted in more parasitised larvae, a higher rate of successful parasitoid emergence, a higher rate of female progeny, and a lower rate of immature parasitoid mortality. The fitness gain of C. sonorensis on late 1st larval instar (2day-old larvae) and late 2nd larval instar –early 3rd instars (6–8day-old larvae) stages of T. ni is negatively affected by the trade-offs between the different physiological and behavioral characteristics influencing their suitability as hosts of C. sonorensis.

DOI

10.1016/j.biocontrol.2012.09.020

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