Semiochemical-mediated location of host habitat by Apanteles carpatus (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of clothes moth larvae
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| Authors: | Takacs, S; Gries, G; Gries, R |
| Year: | 1997 |
| Journal: | Journal of Chemical Ecology 23: 459-472 |
| Title: | Semiochemical-mediated location of host habitat by Apanteles carpatus (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of clothes moth larvae |
| Abstract: | In Y-tube olfactometer bioassays, adult Apanteles carpatus (Say), were attracted to beaver or rabbit pelts infested with larvae of the casemaking clothes moth (CCM), Tinea pellionella L. Porapak Q-captured volatiles from a CCM-infested beaver pelt were also very attractive, whereas isolated CCM larvae or larval feces were not. Coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) analysis of the Porapak Q volatile extract revealed two compounds that elicited responses by A. carpatus antennae. Coupled CC-mass spectrometry (MS) in electron impact and chemical ionization modes of these compounds indicated, and GC-MS and GC-EAD of authentic standards confirmed, that they were nonanal and geranylacetone. While each compound singly did not attract A. carpatus, a 1:1 blend of both compounds was as attractive as the volatile extract. Because these compounds are host habitat-derived, A. carpatus must be a habitat rather than host specialist, responding to kairomonal indicators of localized and specific habitats such as animal hair or feather. The tritrophic interaction between A. carpatus, its clothes moth hosts and their animal-derived habitats is similar to the well-studied relationship between parasitoids of insect herbivores and their host plant habitats. |
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