Effects of gibberellic acid on biological parameters of the larval endoparasitoid Apanteles galleriae (Hymenoptera : Braconidae)

UÇKAN F., Tueven A., Er A., Ergin E.

ANNALS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA, vol.101, no.3, pp.593-597, 2008 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 101 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2008
  • Journal Name: ANNALS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.593-597
  • Keywords: Apanteles galleriae, gibberellic acid, toxicity, parasitoid, risk assessment, WILKINSON HYMENOPTERA, ADULT LONGEVITY, SEX-RATIO, ICHNEUMONIDAE, CYPERMETHRIN, LEPIDOPTERA, FECUNDITY, PLANTS, SIZE, TIME
  • Kocaeli University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The impact of the plant growth regulator gibberellic acid (GA(3)) on parasitoid development and reproduction was examined using the endoparasitoid Apanteles galleriae Wilkinson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). The effects of GA(3) were assessed by rearing A. galleriae on hosts fed the growth regulator and then measuring a several life history traits: developmental time from egg to adult, adult longevity, body sizes, fecundity, and sex ratios. GA(3) treatment yielded dose-dependent changes in adult longevity and duration of development. For example, at GA(3) doses > 10 ppm, the life span of both male and female adult wasps decreased by 19-23 d in comparison with parasitoids that developed on GA(3)-free hosts. Likewise, the length of development from egg to adult emergence significantly increased when A. galleriae developed on hosts fed the growth regulator at doses > 200 ppm. In contrast, GA3 did not seem to alter adult body sizes, sex ratios, or fecundity, with the exception that F-2 progeny production decreased by > 40% at high concentrations (>= 200 ppm). The potential significance of plant growth regulators on natural enemies used in integrated pest management programs is discussed.