Fecundity and Longevity of Green Vegetable Bug,Nezara viridula, Following Parasitism byTrichopoda giacomellii

Abstract

Abstract The effects of parasitism by the Argentinian Trichopoda giacomellii (Blanchard) on reproduction and longevity of its host, Nezara viridula (L.) are reported. Parasitoid larvae suppress egg maturation, reducing by 70% the fecundity of mature female hosts during the period of larval development. Egg viability was not affected, but mating frequency was reduced by approximately 50%. When parasitized as newly eclosed adults, 84% of females fail to reproduce. In male hosts, fertility and mating frequency were not affected during the period of larval parasitoid development. In male and reproductively immature female hosts, death was coincident with, or occurred shortly after parasitoid emergence (2–4 days); in mature females, death occurred on average 2 weeks after larval parasitoid emergence. Host mortality occurred as a consequence of tissue damage incurred as the parasitoid larvae emerged from the host. Some individuals survived parasitism though no further reproductive activity (mating or oviposition) occurred. The effectiveness of T. giacomellii as a biological control agent is discussed in relation to its impact on reproduction and survival of its host and contrasted with the action of other Trichopoda species.