Title : Host selection and exploitation of Microplitis manilae: Implications for biological pest control
Abstract:
Biological control serves as a sustainable method in integrated pest management strategies. Microplitis manilae, a common internal parasitoid wasp belonging to the Hymenoptera order under Lepidoptera, plays a crucial role in pest control. We delved into the host selection and exploitation dynamics of M. manilae. Our evaluation of the parasitic efficacy of M. manilae encompassed four pest species from the Spodoptera and Mythimna genera of the Noctuidae family. Results revealed a higher parasitism rate of M. manilae on three species within the Spodoptera genus compared to Mythimna separata in the Mythimna genus. Notably, M. manilae exhibited elevated parasitism rates and shorter development durations on Spodoptera litura relative to other species. The parasitism rate for 1st instar hosts stood at 86.67 ± 0.04%, with a development duration of 14.1 ± 0.03 days. Furthermore, when parasitizing the 3rd instar of Spodoptera frugiperda, parasitoids displayed a higher sex ratio of 0.71 ± 0.05. Additionally, M. manilae demonstrated a parasitic effect on M. separata, presenting a novel host choice for parasitism. These findings highlight the optimal host selection criteria that could amplify the reproduction and survival rates of M. manilae, thereby facilitating their large-scale propagation. Understanding the parasitic impact of M. manilae on pests not only advances its field application but also plays a pivotal role in fostering the development of biological control technologies and sustainable agricultural practices.
