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Host stage preference, immature survival, sex ratio and mutual interference of Aphelinus asychis and Aphidius ervi on Myzus persicae were investigated under laboratory (25 + 1 °C; 70 + 5% RH; 16 h light/8 h dark photoperiod). There was significant difference between the rates of parasitism by the two parasitoids on different stages of M. persicae....
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... order to obtain the initial culture of parasitoids, mummified (parasitized) aphids collected from different locations were reared in small experimental plastic jars (40 mm × 75 mm) covered with muslin cloth. Adult parasitoids emerged from the mummies (Fig. 1) were collected and identified by comparing their morphological characteristics with taxonomic keys (Takada 2002;Li et al. 2007;Kavallieratos et al. 2013). Two parasitoid species found to parasitize M. persicae at different locations in the present study viz. Aphelinus asychis and Aphidius ervi were mass reared on M. persicae ...
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Abstract Three parasitoid species viz. Aphelinus asychis Walker (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), Aphidius ervi (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) parasitizing the aphid species Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in mid-hills of north India were studied. At different locations and t...
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... Periodic releases of parasitoids can generate a high density of foraging females in the same patch, which would increase intraspecific competition at low host densities (Salas, 2017;Rezaei et al., 2019). Mutual interference between female parasitoid wasps reduces their searching and parasitic efficiency due to a higher probability of antagonistic encounters (Kumar et al., 2019). It can also cause an increase in the occurrence of superparasitism (i.e., more than one immature parasitoid of the same species per host) (Skovgard and Nachman, 2015;Poncio et al., 2016;López et al., 2021), which can cause an imbalance in their offspring sex ratio and emergence rates (Li et al., 2022) because of competition for the same host resource (Skovgard and Nachman, 2015). ...
Functional response and mutual interference are important attributes of natural enemies that should be analysed in species with the potential to be used as biological control agents in order to increase the predictive power of the possible benefits and/or consequences of their release in the field. Our main objective was to determine the functional response and mutual interference of Coptera haywardi (Oglobin), a pupal parasitoid of economically important fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae). The functional response of C. haywardi on A. ludens pupae corresponded to a type II model, with an attack rate of 0.0134 host pupa/h and a handling time of 1.843 h, which reveals a meticulous selection process of pupal hosts. The effect of mutual interference among foraging females was negatively correlated with increased parasitoid density in the experimental arena, showing a gradual decline in attack rate per individual female. The increase in the number of foraging females also had an impact on the number of oviposition scars per pupa and the number of immature parasitoids per dissected pupa, but not on the percentage of adult emergence or the sex ratio. Our results suggest that C. haywardi could act as a complementary parasitoid in the control of fruit fly pupae, since the random distribution of these pupae in the soil would decrease the possibility of aggregation and mutual interference between foraging females.
... RCC-4 at 25 ± 1 • C temperature, 70 ± 5% relative humidity and a photoperiod of L16:D8. The parasitoid, D. rapae used in the present investigation was initially collected from mummified aphids of M. persicae, B. brassicae and L. erysimi from the rapeseed-mustard farms and the parasitoid wasps were raised in glass jars (30 cm × 20 cm) following the method of Kumar et al. (2019). Plants used in the rearing of aphids were about 25-30 cm high with perfectly grown leaves. ...
The aphid endoparasitoid Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh), parasitizing green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer),
mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) and cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) in Kangra, Kullu,
Mandi, Shimla, Hamirpur, Sirmaur, Una and Bilaspur districts of north Indian Himalayan state, Himachal
Pradesh was studied. At different locations, parasitism by D. rapae in December, January, February and March
ranged from 0.00 to 5.30, 0.00 to 16.40, 19.30 to 31.20 and 0.00 to 49.80%. Under field conditions, experiments
were conducted to evaluate the side effect of some commonly used chemical insecticides and biopesticides on D.
rapae. Percent parasitism by D. rapae in dimethoate treated plots was negatively affected, and it reduced from
11.85 to 0.01%, whereas biopesticides didn't affect the parasitism. Further laboratory investigations assessed the
suitability of aphids viz. M. persicae, B. brassicae and L. erysimi as hosts for mass rearing of D. rapae. Among the
aphid hosts, second nymphal instar of M. persicae was found to be the larger in size, followed by B. brassicae and
L. erysimi. D. rapae reared on M. persicae were larger in size compared to those reared on B. brassicae and L.
erysimi. Further, M. persicae reared on Capsicum annuum proved to be the best aphid host for D. rapae based on
high percent parasitism (58.60%) and high fertility (76 eggs/female). The current research advises that D. rapae
can be mass reared on aphid hosts in a laboratory that would supplement augmentative biological control in
rapeseed-mustard. Our results also demonstrate that biopesticides can be used against aphids infesting rapeseed-mustard,
with limited risk to the parasitoid, D. rapae and can be a fruitful option to chemical-based insecticides.
... N, 76 0 ,32.781′ E) and reared in rearing jars (50 cm × 30 cm) as per the method of Kumar et al. (2019). Plants of approximately 20 cm height with fully expanded leaves were used. ...
Biological and behavioural attributes of Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were studied on Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The total developmental duration of the parasitoid was longer in younger nymphal instars compared to that in older nymphal instars of aphid. Host age affected the oviposition period and fecundity of the ovipositing parasitoid. Survival of the immatures was higher in older as compared to the younger instars. Sex ratio for the parasitoid was found to be female-biased. Adult longevity of D. rapae was longer for females compared to that of males. Mean longevity of adult female parasitoid was longer, while parasitizing nymphs of younger age groups (1–2 days) compared to that of older age groups (4–5 days). B. brassicae reared on cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) was found to be the best host for D. rapae based on high per cent parasitism and high fecundity. The parasitoid showed a higher preference towards third nymphal instar of B. brassicae both in choice and no-choice tests. The results from experiments on mutual interference revealed that per capita searching efficiency decreased significantly from 0.99 to 0.05 with an increase in parasitoid densities from 1 to 8. Logistic regression exhibited a type II functional response for D. rapae. The handling time (Th) and searching efficiency (a) values were calculated to be 1.35 ± 0.05 h and 0.025865 ± 0.001525 h, respectively. This investigation suggests that D. rapae could be an effective biocontrol agent of B. brassicae that would supplement its management options in oilseed brassicas.
... RCC-4. Culture of D. rapae was obtained from mummies of M. persicae collected from a rapeseed-mustard farm in the locality and reared in small plastic containers (50 mm × 80 mm), in an insectary, at a temperature of 25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 5% relative humidity (RH) and a L16:D8 photoperiod as per the method adopted by Kumar et al. (2019). The identity of the parasitoid was ascertained by comparing its morphological attributes with taxonomic keys (Rakhshani et al., 2015;Takada, 2002). ...
Biological and behavioural characteristics of Diaeretiella rapae were studied in a laboratory using Lipaphis erysimi as a host. The total developmental period of the parasitoid was longer in early instars as compared to that in later instars. Host age at the time of oviposition affected the oviposition period, post-oviposition period and fecundity of the parasitoid. Survival of the immatures was higher in older than the younger instars. The sex ratio for the parasitoid was found to be female-biased. Adult longevity of D. rapae was longer for females when compared to that of males. The mean longevity of adult females of the parasitoid was longer while parasitizing nymphs of younger age groups (1-2 days) compared to that of older age groups (4-5 days). L. erysimi reared on mustard was found to be the best host for D. rapae based on high parasitisation (%), female-biased sex ratio and the shortest time required by the parasitoid for completion of the total developmental period. The parasitoid showed a higher preference towards second instar nymphs of L. erysimi, both in choice and no-choice tests. The per capita parasitisation and search efficiency of the parasitoid decreased with an increase in parasitoid density. Logistic regression exhibited type-II functional response for the parasitoid D. rapae. Overall, D. rapae appeared to be a potential biocontrol agent of L. erysimi that would supplement its biological control in oilseed brassicas.
... Most species in the genus Aphelinus are aphid parasitoids and play important roles in controlling these pests (Hayat 1983;Li et al. 2015;Japoshvili and Karaca 2009). Aphelinus asychis Walker, a polyphagous endoparasitoid (Byeon et al. 2011;Kumar et al. 2019), originated from the Old World including China (Zhu and Fang 2009), has a host range of about 40 aphid species, including M. persicae (Gavkare et al. 2014). The control efficiency of A. asychis on M. persicae is achieved by parasitizing and host feeding (Bai and Mackauer 1990). ...
Aphelinus asychis has been used to control various species of aphids. Temperature is a crucial abiotic factor for the development and reproduction of insects. This study examined the influence of different constant temperatures (20, 25 and 30 °C) on the longevity, net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r), net killing rate (Z0) and finite killing rate (θ) of A. asychis parasitizing the cabbage pest Myzus persicae, and compared its control efficiency. The results showed that increasing temperature decreased the longevity of A. asychis significantly. The value of r was significantly higher at 30 °C than at 25 and 20o C. Similarly, θ was significantly higher at 30 °C (0.7163 aphids) than at 25 (0.5654 aphids) and 20o C (0.3522 aphids). Aphelinus asychis could produce progeny successfully within the range of 20-30 °C and its control efficiency was higher at high temperatures than at low temperatures. We discuss the implications of these results for the application of this parasitoid for the biological control of the cabbage aphid in greenhouse and field conditions.
... The stock culture of M. persicae was reared on C. annuum in an insectary at 25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 5% RH, and a L16:D8 photoperiod as per the method adopted by Kumar et al. (2019). Mummies of the 2 parasitoid species A. asychis and A. ervi were collected from the polyhouses at different locations, whereas the ones of D. rapae was obtained from Brassica oilseed farms in the locality. ...
Abstract Three parasitoid species viz. Aphelinus asychis Walker (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), Aphidius ervi (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) parasitizing the aphid species Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in mid-hills of north India were studied. At different locations and times of the year, the parasitization by A. asychis, A. ervi, and D. rapae ranged from 7.53 to 37.58, 4.26 to 80.45, and 74.25 to 80.48%, respectively. All the 3 parasitoids successfully completed their development on different nymphal instars of the aphid host and the total developmental duration of A. asychis, A. ervi, and D. rapae ranged 10.4–14.6, 24.2–29.6, and 10.2–15.2 days, respectively. It was significantly longer on the 1st nymphal instar of the host. The longevity of the female parasitoids was significantly longer than their counterparts. Differences in host age significantly influenced the longevity of female parasitoids and it was more on 1 to 2-day-old nymphs than that on 4 to 5-day-old nymphs. Fecundity and ovipositional periods of the parasitoids on younger (1–2 days old) host age group were considerably prolonged than on the older ages of the aphid. Average total fecundity of A. asychis and D. rapae was significantly higher when parasitizing 1–2-day-old nymphs. In A. asychis, host feeding behavior was also observed by a total host feeding of 89.2 aphids (1–2 days old) and 43.4 aphids (4–5 days old) during its life span. It is concluded that A. asychis, A. ervi, and D. rapae can be mass reared using M. persicae as host and can be utilized successfully in augmentative biological control program.
... There are 84 species in the genus Aphelinus worldwide [15,16]. Most species in this genus play important roles in the biological control of aphids and have been widely used in vegetable and fruit production in greenhouses and in the field [17,18]. Among them, Aphelinus asychis is a polyphagous endoparasitoid of about 40 aphid host species including M. persicae and Sitobion avenae [13,[18][19][20], and it has been used under field and greenhouse conditions [21,22]. ...
... Most species in this genus play important roles in the biological control of aphids and have been widely used in vegetable and fruit production in greenhouses and in the field [17,18]. Among them, Aphelinus asychis is a polyphagous endoparasitoid of about 40 aphid host species including M. persicae and Sitobion avenae [13,[18][19][20], and it has been used under field and greenhouse conditions [21,22]. ...
... The host feeding behaviors of A. asychis on some host species have been previously studied. It was noted that aphids fed on by A. asychis females were first paralyzed and usually died after feeding [18]. In addition, A. gossypii nymphs and adults were acceptable for host feeding by A. asychis, and the number of younger instar aphids for host feeding was higher than that of older instars [53]. ...
Aphelinus asychis, a polyphagous parasitoid, has been widely used as an efficient biological control agent against the aphid Myzus persicae. Aiming to evaluate the influence of temperature on the biological characteristics and control potential of A. asychis for M. persicae, we compared the life table parameters and control potential of A. asychis, which included the developmental time, longevity, fecundity, intrinsic rate of increase (r), and finite killing rate (θ). The results showed that increasing the temperature significantly decreased the developmental time and longevity of A. asychis. The r at 24 (0.2360 d−1) and 28 °C (0.2441 d−1) were significantly greater than those at 20 (0.1848 d−1) and 32 °C (0.1676 d−1). The θ at 24 (0.4495), 28 (0.5414), and 32 °C (0.4312) were also significantly greater than that at 20 °C (0.3140). The relationship between population fitness (r and θ) and temperature followed a unary quadratic function (R2 > 0.95). The temperatures for the expected maximum intrinsic rate of increase (rmax) and the maximum finite killing rate (θmax) were 25.7 and 27.4 °C, respectively. In conclusion, A. asychis could develop and produce progenies within the temperature range of 20–32 °C, and its control efficiency for M. persicae at 24, 28, and 32 °C was greater than that at 20 °C. The most suitable temperature range for controlling M. persicae with A. asychis in the field might be between 25.7 and 27.4 °C.
The aphid parasitoid, Aphelinus maculatus Yasnosh (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), first described as a new record in China in 2016, is one of the most important natural enemies of the Chinese wolf-berry aphids. In order to relate its larval development stages to morphological changes of both the parasitoid and its host aphid during the parasitoid development, and to explore the larval taxonomic significance, a laboratory dissection study was conducted under the light microscope. There are three larval instars during immature development of A. maculatus. Instars differ in body shape, mandibles and numbers of respiratory spiracles. The first instar larva of A. maculatus is elongate in shape, the second instar larva is thick spindle-shaped to spindle-shaped, and the third instar larva is spherical-shaped with a small tail. Mandibles of the first and second instar larvae of A. maculatus are almost invisible, and their pharynxes are well developed. Mandibles of the third instar larva are well developed and are made of a pair of dark yellow sharp pointed spines each projecting from a transparent broad triangular base. The third instar larva possesses seven pairs of respiratory spiracles with one pair on the mesothorax and other six pairs successively on the second to seventh abdominal segments. As the larval development proceeds, a brown patch (the midgut of parasitoid larva) in the center of host aphid abdomen becomes larger in size and darker in color. The host aphid turns entirely black as a mummy and dies at the prepupal stage of the parasitoid, pine-nut shaped meconium is excreted at this time. The life cycle of A. maculatus from eggs to adults lasts 11.5 - 14 days at the temperature of 26 ± 1°C. Morphological features of mandibles, respiratory spiracles and meconium are useful in the larval taxonomy of aphelinids.
