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Effect of the instar of the pear psyllid Cacopsylla pyri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) on the behaviour and fitness of the parasitoid Trechnites insidiosus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae).

Authors :
LE GOFF, GUILLAUME JEAN
BERTHE, JEREMY
TOUGERON, KÉVIN
DOCHY, BENOIT
LEBBE, OLIVIER
RENOZ, FRANÇOIS
HANCE, THIERRY
Source :
European Journal of Entomology. 9/23/2021, Vol. 118, p279-287. 9p.
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Improved methods of integrated pest management of the pear psyllid Cacopsylla pyri (L.), the primary pest of pear in Europe and North America, are needed. Trechnites insidiosus (Crawford) is the most abundant parasitoid of C. pyri in pear orchards, where it is present early in the psyllid infestation period. However, little is known about its general biology, interaction with its host and potential as a control agent. The objective of this laboratory study was to evaluate the behaviour of a specialist parasitoid when presented with different larval instars of C. pyri, and assess the quality of the next generation of parasitoids. T. insidiosus was able to insert its ovipositor into all host instars. However, the fourth instar of the host appeared to be the most suitable in terms of behavioural acceptance, time spent walking, antennal activity and progeny development (mummy formation, development time and tibial length). In addition, we report a low frequency of host-feeding behaviour by this parasitoid. From a biological control perspective, we suggest that favouring T. insidiosus, either through mass releases or conservation of naturally present populations, when the first generation of psyllids reach the fourth instar, would maximize the chance of controlling psyllid populations in pear orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
12105759
Volume :
118
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
European Journal of Entomology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
152670756
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.14411/eje.2021.028