Patch exploitation behaviour of the tephritid parasitoid Fopius arisanus: a candidate for the biological control of mango flies

Abstract

The endoparasitic wasp Fopius arisanus was introduced into Kenya as a biological control candidate for the tephritid pest, Bactrocera invadens. The rationale behind successful pest control by natural enemies is based on theory developed for population dynamics. Among others, the dynamics of the host-parasitoid relationship can be described by changes of the parasitoid s attack rate in dependency of the host s density (functional response) and of the parasitoid s density. Although often considered separately the two processes are strongly interconnected. Therefore, the present study analysed the functional response of the parasitoid, F. arisanus, as well as the effect of mutual interference among parasitoids exploiting a patch at the same time. Further, studies on the functional response and mutual interference were complemented with detailed behavioural analyses, which provide new insight into the proximate mechanisms that lead to foraging decisions in parasitoid females.