The influence of food consumption and conspecifics on the flight performance of the parasitoid Ibalia leucospoides Hochenwarch (Hymenoptera: Ibaliidae)

Insects often do foraging flights to search for their different resources. These flights are usually in response to the internal state of the organism and/or to external environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to explore the consequences of food provisioning and prior contact with conspecifics on the flight performance of the solitary and pro-ovigenic parasitoid Ibalia leucospoides, by using computer-linked flight mills. The lack of effect of food intake on a highly energy-demanding activity as flight, found in I. leucospoides females, may be related to the life-history traits and nutritional strategies of pro-ovigenic parasitoid wasps (all eggs are mature at adult emergence). In addition, perception of conspecifics may be a way to gather information about the environment; it might herald competition for resources and promote dispersal flight. Nevertheless, prior experience with conspecifics did not produce significant effects on flight parameters.