Suitability of a novel diet for a parasitic wasp, Cotesia plutellae.
The braconid Cotesia plutellae (Kurdjumov) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a major solitary, larval endoparasitoid of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). The impact of dietary protein was investigated in the laboratory by comparing performance of C. plutellae on honey, which is commonly used to rear the parasitoid, to that on a novel diet made of honey and protein-rich beebread. Cotesia plutellae was highly stimulated by honey and honey-beebread, with a feeding response exceeding 95%, a level that is comparable with its responses to fructose, glucose, and sucrose. The ability of honey-beebread to support host-parasitoid colonies was also comparable with that of honey. However, parasitoids raised on honey-beebread suppressed diamondback moths in rearing cages 3 weeks before the honey-fed wasps. The development time of C. plutellae reared on honey with or without beebread showed no significant difference, but adult wasps lived longer on honey-beebread. Mean developmental periods from oviposition to pupation and from pupation to adult emergence were 8 and 6 days, respectively. Adult wasps raised on honey-beebread outlived their conspecifics that were raised on honey by at least 4 days. Honey-beebread showed potential as a good food for rearing C. plutellae in the laboratory, and its benefit in parasitoid production is discussed.
1 Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa.
Olalekan J
OJ
Soyelu
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D061046:Biological Control Agents; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006722:Honey; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D009036:Moths / Q000469:parasitology*; D012098:Reproduction; D014863:Wasps / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*
D061046:Biological Control Agents; D002241:Carbohydrates; D004044:Dietary Proteins