Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T06:55:26.617Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Interspecific competition between Snellenius manilae and Meteorus pulchricornis, larval parasitoids of Spodoptera litura

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 July 2015

W.-T. Chen
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
S.-Y. Hwang*
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
*
*Author for correspondence Phone: +886-4-22840363 Fax: +886-4-22875024 E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Snellenius manilae (Ashmead) and Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are larval endoparasitoids of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Both species preferentially parasitize early-instar S. litura and occupy similar ecological niches. Therefore, competition between the two species may occur. In this study, intrinsic competition and cage experiments were conducted to discuss the interactions between S. manilae and M. pulchricornis. The results indicated that in intrinsic competition, M. pulchricornis was always the dominant species. In cage experiments, when the total number of parasitoids was four, the parasitism rates following the release of one species were significantly higher than the release of two species simultaneously. In addition, parasitism rate of eight M. pulchricornis was also significantly higher than the parasitism rate of the treatment released four S. manilae and four M. pulchricornis simultaneously. Therefore, competition occurs between S. manilae and M. pulchricornis, and M. pulchricornis is typically the superior of the two species. The use of M. pulchricornis as a biological agent for S. litura should be considered.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ando, K., Inoue, R., Maeto, K. & Tojo, S. (2006) Effects of temperature on the life history traits of endoparasitoid Microplitis manilae Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), parasitizing the larvae of the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Japanese Journal of Applied Entomology and Zoology 50, 201210.Google Scholar
Bajpai, N.K., Ballal, C.R., Rao, N.S., Singh, S.P. & Bhaskaran, T.V. (2006) Competitive interactions between two ichneumonid parasitoids of Spodoptera litura . BioControl 51, 419438.Google Scholar
Berry, J.A. (1997) Meteorus pulchricornis Wesmael (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Euphorinae), a new record for New Zealand. New Zealand Entomologist 20, 4548.Google Scholar
Bogran, C.E., Heinz, K.M. & Ciomperlik, M.A. (2002) Interspecific competition among insect parasitoids: field experiments with whiteflies as hosts in cotton. Ecology 83, 653668.Google Scholar
Chau, N.N.B. & Maeto, K. (2008) Intraspecific larval competition in Meteorus pulchricornis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a solitary endoparasitoid of lepidopteran larvae. Applied Entomology and Zoology 43, 159165.Google Scholar
Chen, S.P., Wang, C.L. & Chen, C.N. (2009) A List of Natural Enemies of Insect Pests in Taiwan. Taiwan, Special Publication of Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute.Google Scholar
Chen, W., Li, B.P. & Meng, L. (2011) Host selection and offspring developmental performances of Meteorus pulchricornis on Spodoptera litura larval instars. Chinese Journal of Ecology 30, 13171321.Google Scholar
Chiu, S.C. & Chou, L.Y. (1976) Hymenopterous parasitoids of Spodoptera litura Fab. Journal of Agricultural Research of China 25, 227241.Google Scholar
Cingolani, M.F., Greco, N.M. & Liljesthrom, G.G. (2013) Multiparasitism of Piezodorus guildinii eggs by Telenomus podisi and Trissolcus urichi . BioControl 58, 3744.Google Scholar
De Moraes, C.M., Cortesero, A.M., Stapel, J.O. & Lewis, W.J. (1999) Intrinsic and extrinsic competitive interactions between two larval parasitoids of Heliothis virescens . Ecological Entomology 24, 402410.Google Scholar
Fuester, R.W., Taylor, P.B., Peng, H. & Swan, K. (1993) Laboratory biology of a uniparental strain of Meteorus pulchricornis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), an exotic larval parasite of the gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). Annals of Entomological Society of America 86, 298304.Google Scholar
Harvey, J.A., Poelman, E.H. & Tanaka, T. (2013) Intrinsic inter- and intraspecific-competition in parasitoid wasps. Annual Review of Entomology 58, 333351.Google Scholar
Huddleston, T. (1980) A revision of the western Palaearctic species of the genus Meteorus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) (Entomology) 4, 158.Google Scholar
Hwang, S.J., Byeon, Y.W., Lee, S.M., Kim, J.H., Choi, M.Y., Kim, S.H., Kim, N.J., Park, H.C., Lee, Y.B., Lee, S.B. & Lee, J. (2010) Immature development, longevity and fecundity of the larval parasitoid, Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), on tobacco cutworm. International Journal of Industrial Entomology 21, 180183.Google Scholar
Kao, S.S. (1995) Mass rearing of insects. Bulletin of Taiwan Agricultural Chemicals and Toxic Substances Research Institute (TACTRI) 37, 18.Google Scholar
Lu, W.H. (1989) The parasitizing effect of Snellenius manilae (Ashmead) on Spodoptera litura (Fabr.). Journal of South China Agricultural University 10, 3541.Google Scholar
Maetô, K. (1990) Phylogenetic relationships and host associations of the subfamily Meteorinae Cresson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Japanese Journal of Entomology 58, 383396.Google Scholar
Magdaraog, P.M., Harvey, J.A., Tanaka, T. & Gols, R. (2012) Intrinsic competition among solitary and gregarious endoparasitoid wasps and the phenomenon of ‘resource sharing’. Ecological Entomology 37, 6574.Google Scholar
Mills, N. (2006) Interspecific competition among natural enemies and single versus multiple interactions in biological control. pp. 191220 in Brodeur, J. & Boivin, G. (Eds) Trophic and Guild Interactions in Biological Control. The Netherlands, Springer.Google Scholar
Okada, T. (1989) Parasitoids of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae). Species and seasonal changes of parasitism in cabbage fields. Japanese Journal of Applied Entomology and Zoology 33, 1723.Google Scholar
Pennacchio, F. & Strand, M.R. (2006) Evolution of developmental strategies in parasitic hymenoptera. Annual Review of Entomology 51, 233258.Google Scholar
Price, P.W., Westoby, M. & Rice, B. (1988) Parasite-mediated competition: some predictions and tests. American Naturalist 131, 544555.Google Scholar
Qin, H.G., Wang, D.D., Ding, J., Huang, R.H. & Ye, Z.X. (2006) Host plants of Spodoptera litura . Acta Agriculturae Jiangxi 18, 5158.Google Scholar
Qiu, B. & Tang, Y. (2010) Effect of host stadium on the fecundity and life-span of Snellenius manilae (Ashmead). Journal of Changjiang Vegetables 18, 1618.Google Scholar
Qiu, B., Zhou, Z.S., Luo, S.P. & Xu, Z.F. (2012) Effect of temperature on development, survival, and fecundity of Microplitis manilae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Environmental Entomology 41, 657664.Google Scholar
Rajapakse, R.H.S., Ashley, T.R. & Waddill, V.H. (1985) Biology and host acceptance of Microplitis manilae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) reared on fall armyworm larvae Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Florida Entomologist 68, 653657.Google Scholar
Ranga Rao, G.V., Wightman, J.A. & Ranga Rao, D.V. (1993) World review of the natural enemies and diseases of Spodoptera litura (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Insect Science and its Application 14, 273284.Google Scholar
Reitz, S.R. (1996) Interspecific competition between two parasitoids of Helicoverpa zea: Eucelatoria bryani and E. rubentis . Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 79, 227234.Google Scholar
Sri Ratna, E., Buchori, D. & Santoso, T. (2011) Polydnavirus symbiont detected from calyx tissues wasps of three Lepidopteran cabbage pests. Microbiology Indonesia 5, 113119.Google Scholar
Sun, J.S. & Huang, S.S. (2010) Evaluation of potential control ability of Snellenius manilae (Ashmead) against Spodoptera exigua (Hübner). Acta Ecologica Sinica 30, 14941499.Google Scholar
Suzuki, M. & Tanaka, T. (2006) Virus-like particles in venom of Meteorus pulchricornis induce host hemocyte apoptosis. Journal of Insect Physiology 52, 602611.Google Scholar
Suzuki, M. & Tanaka, T. (2007) Development of Meteorus pulchricornis and regulation of its noctuid host, Pseudaletia separata . Journal of Insect Physiology 53, 10721078.Google Scholar
Suzuki, M., Miura, K. & Tanaka, T. (2008) The virus-like particles of a braconid endoparasitoid wasp, Meteorus pulchricornis, inhibit hemocyte spreading in its noctuid host, Pseudaletia separate . Journal of Insect Physiology 54, 10151022.Google Scholar
Suzuki, M., Miura, K. & Tanaka, T. (2009) Effects of the virus-like particles of a braconid endoparasitoid, Meteorus pulchricornis, on hemocytes and hematopoietic organs of its noctuid host, Pseudaletia separate . Applied Entomology and Zoology 44, 115125.Google Scholar
Tamò, C., Roelfstra, L.L., Guillaume, S. & Turlings, T.C.J. (2006) Odour-mediated long-range avoidance of interspecific competition by a solitary endoparasitoid: a time-saving foraging strategy. Journal of Animal Ecology 75, 10911099.Google Scholar
Tian, S.P., Zhang, J.H., Yan, Y.H. & Wang, C.Z. (2008) Interspecific competition between the ichneumonid Campoletis chlorideae and the braconid Microplitis mediator in their host Helicoverpa armigera . Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 127, 1019.Google Scholar
Tillman, P.G. & Powell, J.E. (1992) Interspecific discrimination and larval competition among Microplitis croceipes, Microplitis demolitor, Cotesia kazak (Hym.: Braconidae), Hyposoter didymator (Hym.: Ichneumonidae), parasitoids of Heliothis virescens (Lep.: Noctuidae). Entomophaga 37, 439451.Google Scholar
Ting, R.S. (2011) The study of utilization the parasitoid wasp, Snellenius manilae (Ashmead) to control Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) . Master Thesis, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan.Google Scholar
Yadav, J., Tan, C.W. & Hwang, S.Y. (2010) Spatial variation in foliar chemicals within radish (Raphanus sativus) plants and their effects on performance of Spodoptera litura . Environmental Entomology 39, 19901996.Google Scholar