Expression differences in Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) females reared on different aphid host species.

ABSTRACT: The molecular mechanisms that allow generalist parasitoids to exploit many, often very distinct hosts are practically unknown. The wasp Aphidius ervi, a generalist koinobiont parasitoid of aphids, was introduced from Europe into Chile in the late 1970s to control agriculturally important aphid species. A recent study showed significant differences in host preference and host acceptance (infectivity) depending on the host A. ervi were reared on. In contrast, no genetic differentiation between A. ervi populations parasitizing different aphid species and aphids of the same species reared on different host plants was found in Chile. Additionally, the same study did not find any fitness effects in A. ervi if offspring were reared on a different host as their mothers.

SUBMITTER: Ballesteros GI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5572533 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature