Parasitoids Hymenoptera Research Articles

Parasitoid wasps associated with Antigastra catalaunalis (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) in Northern Sinaloa, Mexico

New records of Hymenoptera parasitoids of the sesame webworm, Antigastra catalaunalis Duponchel (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), are presented for Northwest Mexico. Taxonomic assignation was based on morphological features. Partial sequences of the COI region from the most common parasitoids were deposited in GenBank. Six species of wasps were obtained: Bracon (Habrobracon) platynotae Cushman (Braconidae), Eiphosoma dentator Fabricius (Ichneumonidae), Perilampus platigaster species group (Perilampidae), Brachymeria annulata Walker, Conura side Walker, Conura maculata Fabricius (Chalcididae) and Goniozus punctaticeps Kieffer (Bethylidae). Partial sequences of the COI region obtained from the most common parasitoids helped to confirm at genus level but not species. This is the first record of the association of all these parasitoid species with A. catalaunalis.

The role of Hymenoptera parasitoids as mortality factors of Silba adipata McAlpine on cayenne pepper plants: parasitism and distribution patterns

Silba adipata (Diptera: Loncaeidae) is a new species that attacks white cayenne pepper in Bali. The research aimed to explore the role of these three types of parasitoids. New variables that have never been used before include spatial and altitudinal distribution patterns, the relationship between the level of parasitism and the level of population density of A. adipata according to plant phenology, and the level of parasitization of parasitoids on hosts at various altitudes in Bali, Indonesia. This research was carried out from April to July 2021 using a survey method in which samples were taken purposively from sample plants. The three parasitoids were distributed in all districts, except F. arisanus and A. japonica which were not found in Denpasar and Jembrana. Three parasitoid species play a role in controlling S. adipata in Bali Indonesia, namely A. japonica, F. arisanus, and D. longicaudata. Among the three parasitoids, A. japonica was most dominant at altitudes >750-1000 MASL, while F. arisanus at altitudes >500 - >1000 MASL and D. longicaudata at altitudes >250-500 MASL. The population densities of the three parasitoids were densely associated with S. adipata populations. The parasitoid that most effectively controls S. adipata in the field is F. arisanus.

First record of Apanteles hemara (N.) on Leucinodes orbonalis Guenée and biodiversity of Hymenoptera parasitoids on Brinjal.

The brinjal fruit and shoot borer (BFSB), Leucinodes orbonalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a very detrimental pest that causes significant economic losses to brinjal crop worldwide. Infested brinjal fruits were collected from vegetable fields located at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), New Delhi, India, during two consecutive seasons (2021-2022). The larvae of the pest were brought to the laboratory and reared under controlled conditions of 25 ± 0.5 °C and 70 ± 5% relative humidity, for the emergence of parasitoids. In addition, the survey of Hymenoptera parasitoids in brinjal was conducted utilizing a sweep net and yellow pan trap over the course of two seasons. The results reveal that five parasitoid species were emerged from L. orbonalis viz., Apanteles hemara Nixon, 1965, Bracon greeni Ashmead 1896 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Goryphus nursei (Cameron, 1907), Trathala flavoorbitalis (Cameron, 1907) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and Spalangia gemina Boucek 1963 (Hymenoptera: Spalangiidae). Out of these, A. hemara and S. gemina were documented as new occurrences in Delhi. Additionally, A. hemara was recorded for the first time as a parasite on L. orbonalis. Trathala flavoorbitalis was observed during both seasons and exhibited higher parasitism reaching 15.55% and 18.46% in July and August 2022, respectively. However, the average parasitism (%) recorded by A. hemara, B. greeni, G. nursei, T. flavoorbitalis and S. gemina was 3.10%, 1.76%, 1.10%, 9.28% and 1.20% respectively. Furthermore, the findings showed a significant (p ≤ 0.01) strongly positive correlation between fruit infestation (%) by L. orbonalis and parasitism (%). The survey indicates the presence of a broad group (19 families and 60 species) of Hymenoptera parasitoids in the brinjal crop ecosystem in Delhi which could be valuable in biological control. In light of these results, this study revealed that A. hemara and other parasitoids identified in this study alongside T. flavoorbitalis would be ideal biocontrol agents within the integrated pest management (IPM) program of BFSB in Delhi.

A novel and diverse family of filamentous DNA viruses associated with parasitic wasps.

Large dsDNA viruses from the Naldaviricetes class are currently composed of four viral families infecting insects and/or crustaceans. Since the 1970s, particles described as filamentous viruses (FVs) have been observed by electronic microscopy in several species of Hymenoptera parasitoids but until recently, no genomic data was available. This study provides the first comparative morphological and genomic analysis of these FVs. We analyzed the genomes of seven FVs, six of which were newly obtained, to gain a better understanding of their evolutionary history. We show that these FVs share all genomic features of the Naldaviricetes while encoding five specific core genes that distinguish them from their closest relatives, the Hytrosaviruses. By mining public databases, we show that FVs preferentially infect Hymenoptera with parasitoid lifestyle and that these viruses have been repeatedly integrated into the genome of many insects, particularly Hymenoptera parasitoids, overall suggesting a long-standing specialization of these viruses to parasitic wasps. Finally, we propose a taxonomical revision of the class Naldaviricetes in which FVs related to the Leptopilina boulardi FV constitute a fifth family. We propose to name this new family, Filamentoviridae.

Kaolin in vineyards: Effects on the leafhopper Erasmoneura vulnerata and non-target species such as predatory mites and egg parasitoids

Recently, Erasmoneura vulnerata, firstly reported in Italy, has emerged in other European viticulture areas, indicating a potential spread of its associated issues across Europe. The most effective control strategies against E. vulnerata are those based on chemical insecticides, which can negatively impact non-target species. Organic control strategies mostly rely on pyrethrum, but its effectiveness seems limited, given the outbreaks in organic managed vineyards in North-eastern Italy. The control of E. vulnerata in organic farms must therefore be improved. In this study large scale trials were planned in several organically managed vineyards located in North-eastern Italy. We evaluated kaolin's impact on E. vulnerata and the effect on beneficial arthropods, particularly Acari Phytoseiidae and the egg parasitoids Hymenoptera Mymaridae. A decline in the leafhopper nymph population was observed in three out of four vineyards, while adults in two out of four. Kaolin affected predatory mite populations, but not permanently, and did not affect mymarid parasitism rates.

Keanekaragaman dan komposisi spesies laba-laba predator dan parasitoid Hymenoptera pada tanaman jagung dengan dan tanpa refugia pada musim yang berbeda

Tanaman refugia merupakan tanaman yang berperan penting dalam konservasi musuh alami. Tanaman refugia berguna untuk menjadi tempat berlindung dan menyediakan inang/mangsa bagi musuh alami terutama dari golongan parasitoid dan predator. Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mengetahui pengaruh refugia dan perbedaan musim tanam terhadap keanekaragaman dan komposisi spesies musuh alami (khususnya laba-laba predator dan parasitoid Hymenoptera) pada pertanaman jagung. Penelitian lapangan dilaksanakan pada dua musim berbeda, yaitu musim kemarau (bulan April hingga Juli 2022) dan musim hujan (bulan September hingga Desember 2022) di Desa Tumpang, Kabupaten Malang. Lahan untuk penelitian dikelompokkan menjadi empat area berbeda, dengan setiap area ditentukan dua plot pengamatan (berukuran 40 m × 50 m) terdiri atas lahan jagung monokultur (plot kontrol) dan lahan jagung dengan tanaman refugia (plot perlakuan). Pengambilan sampel dilakukan menggunakan perangkap jebak (untuk laba-laba predator) dan perangkap kuning (untuk parasitoid Hymenoptera). Pemasangan perangkap dilakukan 1 × 24 jam dan dilakukan pada umur jagung 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 dan 12 minggu setelah tanam (MST). Hasil penelitian selama dua musim tanam jagung diperoleh keanekaragaman laba-laba predator berjumlah 626 individu terdiri atas 7 famili, dan 40 morfospesies, sedangkan parasitoid Hymenoptera berjumlah 787 individu yang terdiri atas 5 famili, dan 63 morfospesies. Berdasarkan analisis generalized linier models (GLM), diperoleh hasil bahwa penanaman refugia tidak memengaruhi keanekaragaman musuh alami, namun berpengaruh terhadap komposisi spesies laba-laba predator. Perbedaan musim tanam berpengaruh terhadap keanekaragaman dan komposisi spesies laba-laba predator dan parasitoid Hymenoptera.

Investigation the Spread of Natural Enemies Associated with The Tomato Leaf Miner, Tuta absoluta in Al-Hasakeh Governorate, Syria

Darwish, A., A. Besheer and K. Al-Asas. 2024. Investigation the Spread of Natural Enemies Associated with The Tomato Leaf Miner, Tuta absoluta in Al-Hasakeh Governorate, Syria. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(3): 355-360. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001253 The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most important pests attacking all parts of the tomato plant, especially leaves, was first recorded in Syria in 2010. Since then, it has become the most important pest affecting tomatoes and causing economic losses to tomato farmers, ranged from 50-100%. Field applied research was conducted in tomato fields at Amuda and Derbasiyah sub-district of Al-Hasake Governorate, Syria, during the seasons 2016 to 2018. Laboratory research under laboratory conditions (25±2ºС, RH 65±5%) and under long daylight (16 hrs light:8 hrs darkness) in the biological control research center, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Damascus, Syria. Five parasitoids and predators were identified on T. absoluta, namely: Hemiptera (Homoptera) predators: Nesidiocoris tenuis (Miridae), Orius sp. (Anthocoridae) and Neuroptera predator Chrysopa sp. (Chrysopidae), Hymenoptera parasitoids; Bracon (Habrobracon) sp. (Braconidae) and Ratzeburgiola sp. (Eulophidae). Keywords: Tomato leafminer, parasitoids, predators, Al-Hasake, Syria

Microhymenoptera in roadside verges and the potential of arthropod‐friendly mowing for their preservation

AbstractThe worldwide decline of insects is one of the major challenges for humankind. One of its main drivers is intensive farming, which reduces habitats and food resources for insect populations and causes direct mortality by pesticides. In addition, mowing of grassland poses another threat to insects, especially when it is done frequently, such as in roadside verges. Roadside verges comprise large areas worldwide and can serve as habitats for animals and plants and as corridors to connect populations when they are maintained ecologically, for example when mowing is done arthropod‐friendly and with low frequency. Microhymenoptera are highly diverse, mostly show a parasitoid lifestyle and occur in large numbers in meadows and grasslands. Although they have an important ecological function in regulating their arthropod host populations, they were mostly neglected in studies on the influence of mowing on insects. Therefore, we assessed which families of microhymenoptera occur in roadside verges and meadows, examined if they are affected by the mowing process with a conventional mulching mower, and studied which groups benefit from arthropod‐friendly mowing, using the mowing head Eco 1200 plus from MULAG, and a flushing bar made of track tarpaulin. In our experimental grassland plots, we found specimens of 18 families from the six microhymenoptera superfamilies Chalcidoidea, Ceraphronoidea, Diaprioidea, Ichneumonoidea, Platygastroidea and Proctotrupoidea. Mowing with a conventional mulching mower caused a significant loss of up to 64% for parasitoid Hymenoptera. The Eco 1200 plus showed an arthropod‐friendly effect only on the number of individuals of Chalcidoidea, saving 38% of individuals compared with the conventional mower. The flushing bar showed a significant effect on total number of individuals with a reduction only on Chalcidoidea and a tendency for Ichneumonoidea with 30% and 47%, respectively. Our study demonstrates the detrimental effect of mowing with a conventional mulching mower on microhymenoptera and shows that this effect can be partly reversed for Chalcidoidea and Ichneumonoidea through the arthropod‐friendly mower and a flushing bar. Our study highlights the importance to consider microhymenoptera in the context of insect decline.

Diversity of Parasitoids Hymenoptera in Agricultural Ecosystems and Primary Forest in Lubuk Kilangan District, Padang

Parasitoid Hymenoptera is an important natural enemy of most plant pests, and it can control pests specifically in the agricultural ecosystem. The study aimed to study parasitoid Hymenoptera diversity in agricultural and primary forest ecosystems. The research was conducted from March to June 2018 at Lubuk Kilangan Subdistrict, Padang. The research location was determined by purposive sampling, and sampling was taken using malaise and yellow traps. The results showed that the family of parasitoid Hymenoptera with dominant numbers of individuals and morphospecies were Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, and Scelionidae. The diversity index of both ecosystems is classified as high, with a value of 4,879 for primary forest ecosystems and 4,675 for agricultural ecosystems. The Evenness index of both ecosystems is classified in the high category, with a value of 0,905 for the primary forest ecosystem and 0,887 for the agricultural ecosystem. The similarity index of both ecosystems is classified in the high category with a value of 0,607.

Diversity of Parasitoids Hymenoptera in Agricultural Ecosystems and Primary Forest in Lubuk Kilangan District, Padang

Parasitoid Hymenoptera is an important natural enemy of most plant pests, and it can control pests specifically in the agricultural ecosystem. The study aimed to study parasitoid Hymenoptera diversity in agricultural and primary forest ecosystems. The research was conducted from March to June 2018 at Lubuk Kilangan Subdistrict, Padang. The research location was determined by purposive sampling, and sampling was taken using malaise and yellow traps. The results showed that the family of parasitoid Hymenoptera with dominant numbers of individuals and morphospecies were Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, and Scelionidae. The diversity index of both ecosystems is classified as high, with a value of 4,879 for primary forest ecosystems and 4,675 for agricultural ecosystems. The Evenness index of both ecosystems is classified in the high category, with a value of 0,905 for the primary forest ecosystem and 0,887 for the agricultural ecosystem. The similarity index of both ecosystems is classified in the high category with a value of 0,607.

Barcoding Hymenoptera: 11 Malaise Traps in Three Thai Forests: The First 68 Trap Weeks and 15,338 Parasitoid Wasp Sequences

We report the results of DNA barcoding week-long Malaise trap catches from 11 sites in three Thai conservation areas, concentrating on the parasitoid Hymenoptera, particularly the superfamily Ichneumonoidea. From a total of 15,338 parasitoid wasp sequences, 13,473 were barcode compliant and could be assigned to a family based on morphology and sequence data. These collectively represented 4917 unique BINs (putative species) in 46 families, with the Scelionidae, Ichneumonidae, Eulophidae, Braconidae and Platygastridae being, by far, the most abundant. Spatial proximity had a strong positive effect on the numbers of BINs shared between traps.

Identification of fruit fly (Tephritidae) pupae parasitized by hymenoptera parasitoids

AbstractOne of the major problems in orchards is the presence of Tephritidae fly maggots, especially in Mirtaceae species. Various biological control tools include the use of Hymenoptera parasitoids, which naturally control fly populations. However, identification of the host species of parasitoids is challenging, because only the puparium remains after the parasitoid hatches. Therefore, the aim of this work was to determine the host species of Hymenoptera parasitoids, through the puparium. Host species were identified by amplification and sequencing of cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) of mitochondrial DNA. The results of the present study show that COI DNA sequencing was able to reliably identify host pupae to the genus level, allowing the identification of the Anastrepha genus in this study. This suggests that this method can be used to identify agriculturally relevant hosts through its puparium remains, since this genus has already been described as a pest of Campomanesia adamantium. Knowledge of the species that cause damage to crop is extremely important to study the biological and ecological aspects of these pests and their control. In this way, our results suggest that this method can be used to identify economically relevant host pupal species since the genus identified in this study has already been described as a pest of C. adamantium.

The diversity and abundance of weeds in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) plantations and its relationships with Hymenoptera parasitoids diversity

Abstract. Wibowo D, Rahardjo BT, Karindah S, Muhammad FN. 2023. The diversity and abundance of weeds in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) plantations and its relationships with Hymenoptera parasitoids diversity. Biodiversitas 24: 2342-2349. Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is an important plantation commodity in Indonesia. One of the strategies to improve sugarcane production is by controlling pest populations in sugarcane plantations which can be done by increasing the role of natural enemies as control agents, such as Hymenoptera parasitoids. The presence of parasitoids is influenced by the diversity of vegetation, including weed plants, due to the nectar contained in its flowers. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity, abundance and composition of weeds in sugarcane plantations and their relationships with the diversity and abundance of Hymenoptera parasitoids that have the potential to control pests in sugarcane plantations. The study was conducted from June to August 2022 in four locations in East Java, i.e. Karangploso and Kalipare (Malang), Pasirian (Lumajang) and Gandusari (Blitar). Observation of weed vegetation was carried out by taking samples using 1 m x 1 m frame inside the observation point at each observation plot. Collection of Hymenoptera parasitoids used yellow pan trap and modified farmcop to determine the diversity of Hymenoptera parasitoids in the field. Observations were made at intervals of 1 week. We found that the highest abundance of weeds found across the four sugarcane plantations was Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler, Ipomoea triloba L. and Ageratum conyzoides L. The highest abundance of Hymenoptera parasitoid species found were Trichogramma chilonis Ishii and Telenomus dignus Gahan. There were positive relationships between weed density and Hymenoptera parasitoid diversity and abundance at each sugarcane plantation. Weed species with the most presence of Hymenoptera parasitoids were A. conyzoides, I. triloba and Mimosa pudica L. In conclusion, the presence of weed vegetation on sugarcane plantations affected the composition of the Hymenoptera parasitoid community. The results of this study can be the rationale that the conservation of wild weeds in sugarcane fields is very important to support the existence of beneficial parasitoids.

Bird nest boxes infested with Carnus hemapterus (Diptera: Carnidae): A perfect arena for the study of trophic interplays with a special focus on parasitoid Hymenoptera

Bird nest boxes infested with Carnus hemapterus (Diptera: Carnidae): A perfect arena for the study of trophic interplays with a special focus on parasitoid Hymenoptera

Diversity of Hymenoptera parasitoid on oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) plantations in Dharmasraya District, West Sumatra Province

Oil palm farmers in Dharmasraya District always strive to increase oil palm production and productivity. The biotic factors can affect the presence of Hymenoptera insects. Most of the Hymenoptera insects are parasites. The research aimed to study the diversity of Hymenoptera parasitoids in oil palm plantations in young oil palm plantations (2-3 years old) and older oil palms (5-20 years old) in Dharmasraya District. Sample points were determined using the transect line method on the land. Sampling was carried out using three traps: 1) yellow pan traps, 2) malaise traps, and 3) Sweep net. The analysis was carried out by calculating the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H’), the Margalef species richness index (D), the Pielou species evenness index(J), the Jaccard similarity index (Is), and the estimated species richness of Hymenoptera parasitoid. Hymenoptera parasitoids found at the research sites were 1,267 individuals consisting of 23 families and 142 morphospecies. Two young oil palm plantations have a higher diversity of Hymenoptera parasitoids (4.15; 4.24) than older oil palm plantations (3.51; 3.86). The Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, and Scelionidae families dominated the abundance of Hymenoptera parasitoids. Young oil palm plantations have a higher diversity of Hymenoptera parasitoids than older oil palm plantations.

Saproxylic Hymenoptera in dead wood retained on clear cuts, relation to wood parameters and their degree of specialisation

Intensive forestry is a threat to biodiversity, and therefore actions are made to mitigate this loss. The actions are, however, designed based on available knowledge about the requirements of species, and for saproxylic insects this concerns mainly Coleoptera, while the diverse but poorly known Hymenoptera has contributed less. In this paper we therefore asked whether the substrate requirements of Hymenoptera (divided as parasitoids and non-parasitoids) are similar to those of Coleoptera and Diptera. We used an insect material reared from logging residue wood for the comparison. Theoretically parasitoid Hymenoptera should be less specialised than Coleoptera and other host species as they belong to a higher trophic level. However, we found no such difference and even an opposite trend, that parasitoids were more specialised than beetles. Parasitoids had significantly more species in newly dead wood of fine diameter (1–4 cm, compared to coarse wood of 8–15 cm) compared to other groups. This is probably due to that many of them have bark beetles as hosts. The non-parasitoids were less specialised than the other groups and more confined to old wood (4–5 years), which is in line with that many of them are aculeate wasps building nests in emergence holes from other insects.Implications for insect conservationThe habitat requirements of Hymenoptera suggest that the conservation actions designed for the well known groups are also applicable for them. The parasitoids’ association to trivial substrates (fine wood) suggest a good supply of breeding habitat, whereas their high specialisation in combination with higher trophic level suggest they contain an even higher proportion of threatened species than Coleoptera. How this is traded off needs further studies.

The Amazon and Its Biodiversity: a Source of Unexplored Potential Natural Enemies for Biological Control (Predators and Parasitoids).

The Amazon is an important source of natural enemies for biological control. The diversity of biocontrol agents in the Amazon is considerably higher than that in other Brazilian regions. However, few studies have focused on the bioprospecting of natural enemies in the Amazon. Furthermore, the expansion of agricultural land in recent decades has caused biodiversity loss in the region, including the loss of potential biocontrol agents, due to the replacement of native forests with cultivated areas and forest degradation. In this study, we reviewed the main groups of natural enemies in the Brazilian Legal Amazon: predatory mites (mainly Acari: Phytoseiidae), ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae) and the Hymenoptera parasitoids of eggs (Trichogrammatidae) and of frugivorous larvae (Braconidae and Figitidae). The main species prospected and used in biological control are presented. The lack of knowledge and perspectives regarding these groups of natural enemies as well as the challenges of conducting research in the Amazon is discussed.

Seasonal occurrence of Liriomyza bryoniae (Kaltenbach) and their parasitoids on cucumber crop

The results of this study revealed a steady increase in population density of leaf miners Liriomyza bryoniae (Kaltenbach) from 1.33 larvae/leaf at the beginning of the season to 3.3, 6, and 7 larvae/leaf with the progression of the agricultural season until 10 November, a slight drop in population occurred at the end of the season. The results revealed that the leaf miner population showed a significant negative correlation (-0.74) with maximum temperature and a non-significant negative correlation with minimum temperature. The maximum percentage of factor role was 55% for maximum temperature and ( 18 %) for the minimum temperature. Two species of insect parasitoids (Diglyphus isaea and Opius sp ) Hymenoptera order were recorded on the leafminer Liriomyza bryoniae larvae and pupae. Diglyphus isaea was the most common species. It was active throughout the growing season and increased in number as the leafminer populations increased. The rate of % parasitism was 4.3 % on 7 Aug. increased to 7.8, 12.8, 20.3, and 38.2% on 1 Sept., 7 Sept., 7 Oct., and 21 Oct respectively, while the rate of % parasitism of Opius sp ranged from 2.6% to 5.9% from 14 Sept to 21 Oct.

A new species of Aphanogmus Thomson (Hymenoptera: Ceraphronidae) parasitising predatory cecidomyiids in mite-induced galls of Pongamia pinnata in India

ABSTRACT Ceraphronidae is one of the small, commonly collected families of parasitoid Hymenoptera. Aphanogmus cecidovorus Ranjith sp. n. is described here as a parasitoid of the acarivorus cecidomyiid Microdiplosis pongamiae Mani. This is the first host–parasitoid association of Aphanogmus parasitising an acarivorus cecidomyiid reported from outside the Nearctic and Palaearctic regions. The new species is described and compared with related species and those with a similar association. Taxonomic placement of the new species and host–parasitoid association are commented on briefly. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:93C143DF-D8C0-489B-9251-948E9BE9EC0A

Flowering plants serve nutritional needs of Ascogaster quadridentata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a key parasitoid of codling moth

The codling moth Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is the major pome fruit pest worldwide, causing direct fruit damage and significant yield losses. The egg-larval koinobiont parasitoid Ascogaster quadridentata (Wesmael, 1835) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) contributes to the natural regulation of codling moth populations. Similar to many other parasitoid Hymenoptera, adult A. quadridentata could also benefit from high plant diversity in orchards if it fed on flowers. However, its particular nutritional requirements are rather unknown. For the first time, possible effects of sugar or flower resources on the performance of this parasitoid were studied in laboratory experiments. Wasps fed with highly concentrated sucrose or glucose solutions lived three to five times longer than starving individuals. Trehalose also supported survival, whereas mannose was not suitable. Parasitoids were able to exploit sugar solutions of low (10%) to high (64%) concentrations. Survival was more than twice as long when flowers of buckwheat, coriander, wild carrot, and parsnip were offered. Parasitism capacity was strongly linked to female longevity and thus to adequate nutrition of adults. Under the prevailing experimental conditions, performance of wasps was three times higher on flower diet compared to that of starved wasps. Suitable plants flowering during the activity period of A. quadridentata might therefore improve the ecosystem service provided by this important codling moth parasitoid and help increasing functional biodiversity in orchards.