Interaction of parasitoids and resistant cultivars of wheat on Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor say (Cecidomyiidae). Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Field-cage and open-field studies evaluated parasitism of Hessian fly infesting five wheat cultivars with no, one, two or three genes for resistance to Hessian fly. Parasitism of Hessian fly by the egg-larval parasitoid Platygaster hiemalis Forbes (Platygasteridae) and the pupal parasitoids Homoporus destructor (Say) (Pteromalidae) and Eupelmus allynii (French) (Eupelmidae) did not vary among wheat cultivars with different levels of resistance. Parasitism rates by pupal parasitoids were independent of host density. The number of adult P. hiemalis emerging per host was the same regardless of the level of plant resistance to Hessian fly. The presence of both P. hiemalis and pupal parasitoids resulted in multiple parasitism with no net gain in mortality of Hessian fly puparia. Mortality of Hessian fly pupae by parasitoids is compatible with host plant resistance and may extend the usefulness of resistant cultivars by slowing the increase of populations of virulent Hessian fly biotypes.

published proceedings

  • SOUTHWESTERN ENTOMOLOGIST

author list (cited authors)

  • Knutson, A. E., Rojas, E. A., Marshal, D., & Gilstrap, F. E.

complete list of authors

  • Knutson, AE||Rojas, EA||Marshal, D||Gilstrap, FE

publication date

  • January 2002