Chemical cues and dispersal behaviour in Ibalia leucospoides, a parasitoid of the invasive woodwasp Sirex noctilio

JOFRE, N; FISCHBEIN, D; VILLACIDE, JM; MARTINEZ, A; CORLEY, JC

Colonia

Congreso; IUFRO.; 2011

The parasitoid Ibalia leucospoides (Hymenoptera: Ibaliidae) is cynipid wasp that attacks eggs and first-instar larvae of the woodwasp Sirex noctilio, a serious pest of pine afforestation worldwide. Since the introduction of I. leucospoides as a bio-control agent of woodwasps into Australia in the sixties, the parasitoid has established persistent populations throughout the invasion range of its host, mostly through accidental introductions. Still, its success in limiting woodwasp populations and outbreaks is unclear. Here, we review recent studies carried out in Argentinian Patagonia, were we explored the cues involved in host location and dispersal behaviours by females parasitoids.