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Hymenopterous parasitoids of bark beetles [Scolytidae] in Israel: Relationships between host and parasitoid size, and sex ratio

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Abstract

Information on parasitoids of bark beetles infesting conifers and broadleaves is presented to show the relations between host and parasitoid size, and parasitoid sex ratios. Sticky traps were employed to determine the sex ratios of parasitoid species operating on beetle-infested material. A wide range in body length was found for most species. Females ofCerocephala eccoptogasteri Masi,Cheiropachus quadrum Febr.,Eurytoma morio Boheman,Heydenia pretiosa Forster,Metacolus unifasciatus Forster,Rhaphitelus maculatus Walker andRoptrocerus xylophagorum (Ratz.) were usually significantly longer than their males, whereas the males of all fourDendrosoter spp. were significantly longer than the females. Body lengths of the males and females were almost identical inEntedon ergias Walker andEcphylus caudatus Rusch. The sex ratio varied markedly within most species; the mean ratio for 5 of them differed significantly from 1∶1. The sex ratio ofM. unifasciatus andE. morio was significantly related to host size. The sex-ratio of parasitoids trapped on sticky traps varied with time in relation to the phenology of the host beetle. Females were more numerous during the larvae development while males were more abundant between the pupal stage and emergence of the host. Male courtship behaviour ofDendrosoter caenopachoids Rusch.,D. protuberans (Nees),M. unifasciatus andR. xylophagorum is described. The effect of host size, the diversity in sex ratios, and possible interaction between parasitoid size and sex-ratio are discussed.

Résumé

Des données sont présentées sur les parasitoïdes des scolytides de conifères et de feuillus pour montrer les relations existant entre les dimensions de l'hôte et celles du parasitoïde, et le rapport entre les sexes des parasitoïdes. Sur du matériel infesté par des scolytides, la grandeur des parasitoïdes varie considérablement dans la plupart des espèces. Les femelles deCerocephala eccoptogasteri Masi,Cheiropachus quadrum Febr.,Eurytoma morio Boheman,Heydenia pretiosa Forster,Metacolus unifasciatus Forster,Rhaphitelus maculatus Walker etRoptocerus xylopagorum Ratz. sont en général plus longues que leurs mâles; par contre, les mâles des 4 espèces deDendrosoter spp. sont nettement plus longs que leurs compagnes. La longueur des 2 sexes est presque la même chezEntedon ergias Walker etEcphylus caudatus Rusch. Le rapport des sexes diffère dans la plupart des espèces; il est très différent de 1∶1 chez 5 d'entre elles. ChezM. unifasciatus etE. morio ce rapport est en relation avec la dimension de leur hôte. Le rapport entre les sexes chez les parasitoïdes recueillis sur des pièges engluès varie selon l'évolution des scolytides. Les femelles sont plus abondantes pendant le développement larvaire des scolytides, tandis que les mâles sont plus nombreux pendant la pupaison et l'émergence de ces derniers. Le comportement avant la copulation deDendrosoter caenopachoides Rusch.,D. protuberans Nees,M. unifasciatus andR. xylophagorum est décrit. L'effet de la grandeur du scolytide, la variation du rapport entre les sexes, et les interactions possibles entre grandeur et rapport entre sexes des parasitoïdes sont discutés.

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Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, Bet Dagan, Israel. N° 1328-E, 1984 series.

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Mendel, Z. Hymenopterous parasitoids of bark beetles [Scolytidae] in Israel: Relationships between host and parasitoid size, and sex ratio. Entomophaga 31, 127–137 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372364

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