Effect of parasitism by Cardiochiles nigriceps on food consumption and utilization by Heliothis virescens

Abstract

Parasitism of Heliothis virescens larvae by the endoparasitoid Cardiochiles nigriceps resulted in a reduction in the amount of food consumed by parasitized larvae. This effect was attributed in part to inoculation of material from the accessory reproductive glands of the female at the time of oviposition. Injection of solutions of either the calyx fluid or the poison gland (0·04 gl/larva) into non-parasitized larvae resulted in a reduction in the amount of food consumed by these larvae. A 1 : 1 mixture of these glands (total of 0·04 gl/larva) appeared to be more active than either of the two glands alone. Both of these glands were essential for total activity since larvae parasitized by females lacking the poison gland (poi gl − female) continued to eat and consumed more food than did those parasitized by a normal female. Parasitism resulted in a slower rate of crop-emptying. This effect was, however, shown to be a result of the quantity of food consumed. Inhibition of gut movement was therefore not considered the cause for the reduction in the amount of food consumed by parasitized larvae. The effect of parasitism on the ability of H. virescens larvae to utilize ingested food was partially reduced by parasitism. Larvae parasitized by a normal female were less efficient than non-parasitized larvae in digesting food. Those larvae parasitized by a poi gl − female did not convert as much of their food to body substance as did non-parasitized larvae. Injection of solutions of accessory glands into non-parasitized larvae did not cause these effects.