Exploring the factors involved in the absence of parasitism of Chaetosiphon fragaefolii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) by generalist parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in strawberry

FRANCESENA NATALIA; GRECO NANCY; ARNEODO JOEL; ROCCA MARGARITA

BIOCONTROL (DORDRECHT)

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2020

1386-6141

Chaetosiphon fragaefolii Cockerell (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a worldwide strawberry pest with scarce records of parasitoids for its control. The parasitization rate of two generalist parasitoids, Aphidius colemani Viereck and Aphidius matricariae Haliday, their behavior and aphid defensive behaviors were evaluated with Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) as a comparative host. Defensive endosymbionts were also characterized. Chaetosiphon fragaefolii was never parasitized in simple-choice tests, whereas in preference tests both parasitoids chose A. gossypii over C. fragaefolii. No contacts of A. matricariae with C. fragaefolii were observed while A. colemani mademore antennal contacts and ?stings? on A. gossypii than on C. fragaefolii with the latter exhibiting less defensive behaviors against the parasitoid. The bacterium Acinetobacter sp. was detected in all samples of C. fragaefolii, but with an unknown function. Further research on the possible defensive role of the glandular hairs covering the body of this aphid, the role of chemical signals and the existence of defensive internal mechanisms against parasitoids could provide plausible explanations for the absence of parasitism found.