Seasonal cues mediate host behaviour modification and cocoon polymorphism in Microplitis mediator (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
| Autor: | Shu-Ping LUO, J.P. MICHAUD, Jian-Cheng LI, Jing ZHANG, Xiao-Xia LIU, Qing-Wen ZHANG |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2013 |
| Předmět: | |
| Zdroj: | European Journal of Entomology, Vol 110, Iss 2, Pp 271-276 (2013) |
| Druh dokumentu: | article |
| ISSN: | 1210-5759 1802-8829 |
| DOI: | 10.14411/eje.2013.040 |
| Popis: | Laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the effects of photoperiod and temperature on the pupation behaviour of the parasitoid, Microplitis mediator (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), parasitizing larvae of Mythimna separata Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). A combination of long photoperiod (14 + h L) and warm temperatures (20-24°C) caused parasitized caterpillars to climb to upper plant parts where the parasitoid produced a green, non-diapausing cocoon on a green leaf, initially retaining the dying caterpillar host as a protective covering. In contrast, short photoperiod (8-10 h L) and low temperature (16-18°C) induced host caterpillars to descend the plant where the parasitoid produced a brown, diapausing cocoon either hanging by silk from a senescing leaf or simply lying on the soil, but without any continued association with the host. These findings illustrate the potential for seasonal environmental cues to simultaneously mediate diapause induction, cocoon polymorphism, and alternate forms of host behaviour modification in a hymenopterous parasitoid. |
| Databáze: | Directory of Open Access Journals |
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