Eur. J. Entomol. 95 (4): 571-579, 1998
Differential parasitisation of adult and pre-imaginal Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) by Dinocampus coccinellae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
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The parasitoid wasp Dinocampus coccinellae has been reported to parasitise adult, pupal and larval coccinellids. Field samples of larvae and pupae of Coccinella septempunctata, collected over 13 years in Britain, have failed to reveal any infected pre-imaginal individuals. The parasitisation rates of D. coccinellae into pre-imaginal and adult C. septempunctata were assessed in both choice and no-choice tests. Observations and test results revealed that British D. coccinellae have a strong preference to oviposit in adult coccinellids rather than larvae or pupae. This preference decreases as wasps age if denied oviposition opportunities.
Keywords: Braconidae, Coccinellidae, Dinocampus coccinellae, Coccinella septempunctata, host suitability, host recognition, host instar choice
Accepted: September 19, 1998; Published: December 30, 1998 Show citation
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