Hc. Reed et al., OLFACTORY RESPONSES OF THE PARASITOID DIAERETIELLA-RAPAE (HYMENOPTERA, APHIDIIDAE) TO ODOR OF PLANTS, APHIDS, AND PLANT-APHID COMPLEXES, Journal of chemical ecology, 21(4), 1995, pp. 407-418
Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh) (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) is a parasitoi
d of several aphid species, including the Russian wheat aphid (RWA), D
iuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), and the cabbage aphid (CA), Brevicoryne br
asicae (L.). The response of mated D. rapae females to odors from whea
t, cabbage, and plant-host complexes was investigated using a four-cho
ice olfactometer. Experienced parasitoids, but not inexperienced femal
es, responded positively to odors of the wheat-RWA complex in a no-cho
ice test. In choice tests, experienced parasitoids did not respond to
odors of uninfested cabbage and wheat leaves, but did respond positive
ly to aphid-infested plants and to aphids alone. The response of D. ra
pae to the cabbage-CA complex and to CA alone was significantly greate
r than to the wheat-RWA complex and RWA alone, suggesting an innate od
or preference for crucifer-feeding aphids.