Comparative value of various carbohydrate sources for the stink bug egg parasitoid Telenomus podisi (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of different carbohydrate sources on fecundity and longevity of Telenomus podisi. A single 2-day old mated and starved female wasp was introduced into a cage containing either honeydew from aphids (species yet to be identified) reared on fava bean (Vicia fava) plants, buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) flowers, clover honey, organic clover honey, or water (25 °C, 70% RH, and 14 h photophase). Honeydew and nectar were presented in-situ (i.e. aphid infested fava bean leaves and buckwheat flower were still attached to the plant) and all carbohydrate sources were replenished as needed. Fresh host, Podisus maculiventris, egg masses were provided to the wasps daily for oviposition. Parasitoid-exposed P. maculiventris egg masses were held in vials stoppered with cotton, for offspring emergence, so the number of offspring/day and sex ratio could be recorded.  Our results show that aphid honeydew is as functional as nectar or honey in terms of supporting fecundity of T. podisi compared to starved individuals. These results contrast with those of published studies showing aphid honeydew to be an inferior food source. Therefore additional studies are necessary to determine the potential role of phyllosphere microbiota in enhancing honeydew quality and ability of T. podisi to utilize oligosaccharides in honeydew.