Abstract:
Host plant species can affect the behavior and attributes of parasitoids, such as host
searching, oviposition, and offspring Þtness. In this study, parasitism, host feeding, and sex ratios of
Diglyphus isaea (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard), Liriomyza
sativae Blanchard, and Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) larvae reared on
Phaseolus vulgaris L., Pisum sativum L., Solanum lycopersicum L., and Vicia faba L. were determined.
In no-choice tests, L. huidobrensis had the highest rate of parasitism when reared on P. vulgaris (46%),
L. sativae when reared on V. faba (59%) and P. vulgaris (59%), and L. trifolii when reared on S.
lycopersicum (68%). Host feeding in no-choice tests ranged between 2% and 36% and was highest on
L. trifolii reared onV. faba. Results of choice tests showed a signiÞcant interaction effect for host plant
and Liriomyza species on parasitism and host feeding. Within plant mixtures, L. sativae reared on P.
vulgaris had the highest rate of parasitism (31%), followed by L. trifolii on S. lycopersicum (29%) and
L. huidobrensis onV. faba (28%). Host feeding was highest onL. trifolii reared on S. lycopersicum (14%)
and lowest on L. huidobrensis reared on P. sativum and S. lycopersicum (1%). In some instances, plant
mixtures resulted in a higher proportion of females of D. isaea than single plant species. The highest
proportion of females was obtained in plant mixtures on L. huidobrensis and L. trifolii on V. faba (71
and 72%, respectively). This study suggests that planting crop mixtures can potentially lead to higher
proportions of females, thus improving parasitism and host feeding, depending on Liriomyza and host
plant species.
