BEHAVIORAL-RESPONSE OF THE PARASITOID LARIOPHAGUS-DISTINGUENDUS (FORST) (HYMENOPTERA, PTEROMALIDAE) TO EXTRACTS FROM COCOONS OF LASIODERMA-SERRICORNE FAB (COLEOPTERA ANOBIIDAE) AND THEIR EFFECTS ON SUBSEQUENT OVIPOSITION RESPONSES

Antennation and oviposition responses of the parasitoid Lariophagus di stinguendus (Forst) females to water and organic solvent extracts from cocoons of Lasioderma serricorne Fab. were studied in the laboratory. A combination of water and methylene chloride extracts elicited the s trongest antennation and probing responses. Responses increased with e xtract dose. Oviposition onto beetle pupae through artificial cocoons made from cellulose domes was studied as a function of prior experienc e of the wasps and of the presence of host cocoon extracts on the dome s. Wasps that had oviposited into normal cocoons oviposited readily th rough domes that were treated with the water and methylene chloride ex tracts of cocoons, but untreated domes were ignored. Inexperienced nai ve wasps oviposited far less readily than experienced wasps. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.