Host phylogeny and parasitism by Aphelinus certus

The solitary endoparasitoid Aphelinus certus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is native to Asia and was inadvertently introduced into North America, where it was first documented in 2005 on the east coast. It has since expanded its geographic range to overlap with much of the range of the invasive soybean aphid, which A. certus readily attacks and successfully develops within. Theoretical models suggest that different determinants of parasitoid host range (e.g. preference versus performance) can have variable outcomes on parasitoid establishment and parasitoid-host population dynamics. Therefore, we evaluated A. certus host acceptance, feeding, and developmental suitability using 18 aphid species across Aphididae. We perform a phylogenetic analysis of these preference and performance data to see if parasitoid host use traits cluster on the host phylogeny. Results will be discussed in the context of exotic parasitoid establishment, and risk-benefit analysis in biological control.