The Host-Plant Origin Affects the Morphological Traits and the Reproductive Behavior of the Aphid Parasitoid <i>Aphelinus mali</i>
Ainara Peñalver-Cruz | Bruno Jaloux | Blas Lavandero
Diversifying agroecosystems through habitat management inside or outside production fields can provide alternative hosts and/or prey for natural enemies. In semi-natural habitats, parasitoids may find alternative host-plant complexes (HPC) that could allow their development when pest hosts are scarce in the field. However, morphological and physiological differences between alternative and targeted HPCs could affect the preference and fitness of the parasitoids, possibly altering their efficacy in regulating pests. In the present study, we examined two <i>Aphelinus mali</i> parasitoid populations developing on <i>Eriosoma lanigerum</i> from two host plants (<i>Malus domestica</i>-apple trees and <i>Pyracantha coccinea</i>). We hypothesized that <i>A. mali</i> from both HPCs will show different life history traits and behaviors because primary and alternative host-plants are known to induce variations in parasitoid biological performance. Our findings indicate that <i>A. mali</i> originating from <i>E. lanigerum</i> on <i>P. coccinea</i> parasitized more aphids and are smaller than those originating from <i>E. lanigerum</i> on apple. Furthermore, these parasitoids did not significantly vary their ability to attack and oviposit apple <i>E. lanigerum</i>, suggesting that <i>P. coccinea</i> could function as a suitable banker plant for <i>A. mali</i>. We discuss the potential use of <i>P. coccinea</i> in conservation biological control of <i>E. lanigerum</i> in apple orchards.
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