Egg-laying distribution and superparasitism avoidance by the solitary ectoparasite Bruchocida vuilleti Cwf. (Hym., Eupelmidae) upon stages of its host, Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Col. Bruchidae)
1986
Terrasse, C. | Rojas-Rousse, D.
The solitary ectoparsite Bruchocida vuilleti may develop at different stages of its host, the bruchid beetle Callosobruchus maculatus, reared on Vigna radiata seeds. Three groups of hosts representing three developmental stages with eight individuals in each were offered daily to three series of female parasitoids during their ten first days of life. The total female fertility and its daily average vary with the development of the host. Egg laying increases with an increase in the age of the host. The egg distribution among the eight hosts is not random but tends to be more uniform. This trend shows how the female parasites can distinguish already parasitized hosts from unparasitized ones. It leads them to avoid superparasitism, at least partially, regardless of host stage. Applying the superparasitism-avoidance model published by Griffiths (1977a) the results bear out superparasitism avoidance behaviour by B. vuilleti females. Possible factors occurring in this discrimination are exposed and discussed
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