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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #295964
Title: Flowering plant effects on adults of the stink bug parasitoid Aridelus rufotestaceus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Author
item ADUBA, OBINNA - University Of Georgia
item Olson, Dawn
item RUBERSON, JOHN - Kansas State University
item HARTEL, PETER - University Of Georgia
item Potter, Thomas

Submitted to: Biological Control
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/3/2013
Publication Date: 9/13/2013
Citation: Aduba, O.L., Olson, D.M., Ruberson, J.R., Hartel, P.G., Potter, T.L. 2013. Flowering plant effects on adults of the stink bug parasitoid Aridelus rufotestaceus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Biological Control. 67:344-349.

Interpretive Summary: Adding floral or nectar resources to agricultural field edges may increase fitness of natural enemy species and biological control of pests in adjacent crops. However, the plant nectar source must be suitable, available and accessible by natural enemy species of the target pest(s). We tested two floral sources on the longevity and fecundity of the stink bug nympal parasitoid, Aridelus ruftestaceus. We also analyzed the sugar content of the plant nectars and parasitoids. Gaillardia pulchella significantly increased A. rufotestaceus fecundity (138 ± 12) eggs compared to F. esculentum (123 ± 18 eggs). Both Gaillardia pulchella and F. esculentum longevity of A. rufotestaceus relative to water with G. pulchella yielding the highest longevity (11 ± 5 d) followed by F. esculentum (10 ± 4 d). These results imply that F. esculentum and G. pulchella can increase important fitness traits of A. rufotestaceus which could enhance N. viridula management in the field.

Technical Abstract: Many parasitoids require food resources, such as nectar and pollen, besides hosts in order to optimize their life histories. This has led to interest in using these resources in pest management. Here we assess the potential effects of two floral plants, Fagopyrum esculentum and Gaillardia pulchella and 5% honey solution, and water (control) on the longevity and fecundity of Aridelus rufotestaceus, an important parasitoid of Nezara viridula (L.). Gaillardia pulchella and 5% honey solution significantly increased A. rufotestaceus fecundity compared to water with G. pulchella exhibiting the highest fecundity of 138 ± 12 eggs, and 5% honey solution, F. esculentum, and water following in descending order (134 ± 24, 123 ± 18, and 109 ± 10 eggs, respectively). Gaillardia pulchella, F. esculentum, and 5% honey solution significantly increased longevity of A. rufotestaceus relative to water with G. pulchella yielding the highest longevity (11 ± 5 d), followed by 5% honey solution, F. esculentum, and water (10 ± 4, 9 ± 5, and 4 ± 2 d, respectively). Aridelus rufotestaceus body sugars did not differ significantly among treatment after 24hrs of parasitoid exposure to the treatments immediately after adult emergence. These results imply that F. esculentum and G. pulchella can increase important fitness traits of A. rufotestaceus which could enhance N. viridula management in the field.