title: Cues Triggering Mating and Host-Seeking Behavior in the Aphid Parasitoid Aphidius colemani (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae): Implications for Biological Control.
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.
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benelli
authors.affiliation: Kauai Agricultural Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 7370 Kuamo'o Rd., Kapaa, HI 97646.
authors.forename: Russell H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Messing
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 3050 Maile Way, Honolulu, HI.
authors.forename: Mark G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Insect Behavior Group, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giunti
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 Stefanou Delta str., 14561 Kifissia, Attica, Greece.
authors.forename: Nickolas G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Kavallieratos
authors.affiliation: Insect Behavior Group, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Canale
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001042:Aphids / Q000469:parasitology*; D003463:Cues; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000502:physiology*; D000072777:Host-Seeking Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D012903:Smell; D014863:Wasps / Q000469:parasitology / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: courtship; foraging kairomone; host location; learning; mass-rearing optimization