Host-habitat Location by the Parasitoid, Nasonia Vitripennis Walker Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae

• NCJ Number: 246568
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 59 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2014 Pages: 242-249
• Author(s): Christine Frederickx M.Sc.; Jessica Dekeirsschieter M.Sc.; Francois J. Verheggen Ph.D.; Eric Haubruge Ph.D.
• Date Published: January 2014
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study investigated the role of odorant cues used during host-habitat location by the generalist parasitoid, Nasonia vitripennis Walker.

Abstract

This study investigated the role of odorant cues used during host-habitat location by the generalist parasitoid, Nasonia vitripennis Walker. Nasonia vitripennis is a common parasitoid of Dipteran pupae found in association with decaying carrion. Behavioral assays were used to investigate the host-habitat searching behavior under different scenarios. First, we demonstrated N. vitripennis to be significantly attracted toward odorant cues associated with decaying meat. The biological activity of nine of the volatile molecules constituting the odor of decaying meat was tested on the searching behavior of parasitoid females through two complementary chemoecological approaches: electroantennography EAG and olfactometry bioassays. Butanoic acid and butan-1-ol elicited high olfactory responses, but no attraction was induced by these two chemicals. Behavioral assays showed that, among the VOCs tested, methyldisulfanylmethane DMDS was the only volatile chemical to induce attraction in N. vitripennis. Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley.