Host feeding and oviposition strategy of <i>Eretmocerus warrae</i> (Aphelinidae Hymenoptera) under different host densities

Abstract

Eretmocerus warrae Naumann Schmidt is a thelytokous parasitoid of the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) In conditions of 221C 605 RH and 168 h lightdark the host feeding and oviposition strategy of E warrae under seven host densities (20 40 60 80 100 120 and 140 whitefly nymphs) was investigated With an increase in host density the number of nymphs parasitised and fed upon by E warrae significantly increased but the percentage of nymphs parasitised superparasitised and fed on significantly decreased (P<00001) The parasitoid longevity significantly increased with an increase in host density up to 100 nymphs (P<00001) These results suggest that E warrae can adjust its feeding and oviposition strategy according to the host availability and can potentially contribute to biological control of greenhouse whitefly