Syngaster lepidus (Braconidae) was introduced into California as a biological control agent of two Phoracantha spp. (Cerambycidae) which attack Eucalyptus. We investigated whether this parasitoid uses acoustic cues produced by host larvae to locate its concealed larval hosts. Phoracantha larvae feed under ~ 1 cm of Eucalyptus bark in the cambium, and larval feeding is audible from a distance. The behavior of individual female Syngaster lepidus on Eucalyptus log sections containing a single Phoracantha recurva larva was video recorded, with simultaneous recording of sounds produced by larval feeding. An ethogram and time budget were created to describe the wasp behaviors. Parasitoid behavior and movements were analyzed in relation to the host larval feeding sounds, and the results are reported.
Species 1: Hymenoptera Braconidae Syngaster lepidus
Species 2: Coleoptera Cerambycidae Phoracantha recurva
Keywords: host finding, acoustics
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