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Genetics of the Behavioral Ecology of Egg Parasitoids

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Egg Parasitoids in Agroecosystems with Emphasis on Trichogramma

Part of the book series: Progress in Biological Control ((PIBC,volume 9))

Abstract

Biological control with egg parasitoids has been mainly based on a trial-and-error approach and, as a result, its success rate has remained low. Several authors recently proposed that, on the other hand, a behavioral ecology approach of biological control, based on optimization theoretical models, can provide important means for improving the success rate of biological control though parasitoid releases. This chapter is thus presenting the main behavioral decisions egg parasitoid females should adopt and how an accurate understanding of such behavioral reproductive strategies can lead to more efficient pest control. Moreover, looking at optimal behaviors implicitly means that such behaviors have been selected by natural selection and there is/was, in the parasitoid populations, genetic variation on which natural selection could act. The other goal of this chapter is thus to give a brief overview of the main methods that can be used to quantify the genetic variation in behavioral traits in parasitoid populations. Finally, future potential research directions on these issues are proposed.

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  1. INRA – 400, Route des Chappes, BP 167 – 06903, Sophia Antipolis, Cedex, France

    Eric Wajnberg

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  1. Depto. Entomologia, Fitopatologia e, Zoologia Agrícola, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Pádua Dias 11, Piracicaba, 13418-900, São Paulo, Brazil

    Fernando L. Consoli

  2. ESALQ, Depto. Entomologia, Fitopatologia e, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil

    José R. P. Parra

  3. Depto. Entomologia, Fitopatologia e, Zoologia Agrícola, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Pádua Dias 11, Piracicaba, 13418-900, São Paulo, Brazil

    Roberto A. Zucchi

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Wajnberg, E. (2009). Genetics of the Behavioral Ecology of Egg Parasitoids. In: Consoli, F., Parra, J., Zucchi, R. (eds) Egg Parasitoids in Agroecosystems with Emphasis on Trichogramma . Progress in Biological Control, vol 9. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9110-0_5

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