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1 December 2014 Factors Affecting the Flight Capacity of Tetrastichus planipennisi (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a Classical Biological Control Agent of Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)
Samuel J. Fahrner, Jonathan P. Lelito, Karen Blaedow, George E. Heimpel, Brian H. Aukema
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Abstract

The dispersal characteristics of a biological control agent can have direct implications on the ability of that agent to control populations of a target host. Tetrastichus planipennisi Yang (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is a parasitic wasp native to eastern Asia that has been introduced into the United States as part of a classical biological control program against the emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). We used computer-monitored flight mills to investigate the role of age, feeding status, mating status, and size on the flight capacity of female T. planipennisi over a 24-h period. We also compared flight capacity between sexes. Flight distance of female T. planipennisi representative of populations released in the biological control program averaged 1.26 km in 24 h with a maximum flight of just over 7 km. Median flight distance, however, was 422 m. The flight capacity of females fed a honey—water solution was 41× that of females provided only water, who flew very little. Larger females were capable of flying farther distances, but age did not affect the flight capacity of females up to 70 d posteclosion. Females dispersed 6× farther than did their smaller, male counterparts. The implications of our findings to host—parasitoid interactions and release protocols for distributing T. planipennisi are discussed.

Samuel J. Fahrner, Jonathan P. Lelito, Karen Blaedow, George E. Heimpel, and Brian H. Aukema "Factors Affecting the Flight Capacity of Tetrastichus planipennisi (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a Classical Biological Control Agent of Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)," Environmental Entomology 43(6), 1603-1612, (1 December 2014). https://doi.org/10.1603/EN14139
Received: 20 May 2014; Accepted: 1 September 2014; Published: 1 December 2014
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KEYWORDS
biological control
dispersal
Fraxinus spp
koinobiont
wood-borer
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