Implications of the niche partitioning and coexistence of two resident parasitoids for Drosophila suzukii management in non-crop areas.

BUONOCORE BIANCHERI M.J.; NÚÑEZ CAMPERO S.R.; SUÁREZ L.; PONSSA M.D.; KIRSCHBAUM D.S.; GARCIA F.R.M ; OVRUSKI S.M.

Insects

MDPI

Año: 2023

2075-4450

Abstract: Understanding the mechanisms associated with the coexistence of competing parasitoid species is critical in approaching any biological control strategy against the globally invasive pest Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Ds). This study assessed the coexistence of two resident pupal parasitoids, Trichopria anastrephae Lima (Ta) and Pachycrepoideus vindemiae Rondani (Pv), on Ds-infested fruit in disturbed wild vegetation areas of Tucumán, northwestern Argentina, based on niche segregation. Drosophilid puparia were collected between December/2016 and April/2017 from three different pupation habitats in fallen feral peach and guava. These habitats were “inside flesh” (IF), “outside flesh” but associated with the fruit (OF), and “soil,” i.e., puparia buried close to fruit. Saprophytic drosophilid puparia (SD) belonging to the Drosophila melanogaster group and Ds were found in all habitats tested. SD predominated in both IF and OF, whereas Ds in soil. Both Ta and Pv attacked Ds puparia. However, Ta emerged mainly from SD puparia primarily at IF, whereas Pv mostly foraged Ds puparia in less competitive habitats, such as the soil or OF. Divergence in host choice and spatial patterns of same-resource preference between Ta and Pv may mediate their coexistence in non-crop environments. Given this scenario, both parasitoids have the potential as Ds biocontrol agents.