Parasitic wasps avoid ant-protected hemipteran hosts via the detection of ant cuticular hydrocarbons.

ABSTRACT: One of the most studied and best-known mutualistic relationships between insects is that between ants and phloem-feeding insects. Ants feed on honeydew excreted by phloem-feeding insects and, in exchange, attack the phloem feeders' natural enemies, including parasitic wasps. However, parasitic wasps are under selection to exploit information on hazards and avoid them. Here, we tested whether parasitic wasps detect the previous presence of ants attending colonies of phloem feeders. Behavioural assays demonstrate that wasps left colonies previously attended by ants more frequently than control colonies. This behaviour has a potential cost for the parasitic wasp as females inserted their ovipositor in fewer hosts per colony. In a further bioassay, wasps spent less time on papers impregnated w

SUBMITTER: Mouratidis A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7892424 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature