Meteorus communis (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a generalist, solitary parasitoid that primarily parasitizes noctuids. It was one of the most abundant parasitoid species found attacking Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haworth) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae in cornfields in southern Michigan agroecosystems. In order to study the life history characteristics of this species, a colony of M. communis was established from specimens emerged from P. unipuncta sentinel larvae recovered from the field during 2001. Under laboratory conditions, male and female M. communis showed an increased of four to nine fold in their longevity when provided with a honey solution in contrast with those provided with only water. A trade-off between longevity and reproduction was shown by a significant reduction in the longevity of honey-fed females that had access to hosts to oviposit. Daily fecundity did not differ between feeding treatments, but total fecundity was increased three to seven fold by honey access due to the effect of increased longevity. Mating significantly increased both total and daily fecundity of honey-fed females. These results indicate the importance of access to carbohydrates resources for M. communis. Carbohydrate resources, however, are scarce in the corn fields where this species was collected early in the season, indicating a possible important role for non-cultivated areas near the crop field to support M. communis populations.
Species 1: Hymenoptera Braconidae Meteorus communis
Species 2: Lepidoptera Noctuidae Pseudaletia unipuncta (armyworm)
Keywords: parasitoid, food resources
Back to Student Competition Ten-Minute Papers, Subsection Ca2. Biological Control
Back to Student Competition 10-minute Paper
Back to The 2002 ESA Annual Meeting and Exhibition