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Patch marking in the aphid hyperparasitoid, Dendrocerus carpenteri: the information contained in patch marks.

Carsten Höller1, Regina Hörmann1

  • 1Institut für Phytopathologie, Universität Kiel, Hermann-Rodewald-Strasse 9, W-2300, Kiel 1, Germany.

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Summary

Aphid hyperparasitoid females leave patch marks indicating host presence and producer identity. These pheromone cues guide foraging decisions, especially for females with lower egg loads.

Keywords:
Dendrocerus carpenteriEgg loadMarking pheromoneParasitoidPatch mark

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Ecology
  • Chemical Ecology
  • Insect Behavior

Background:

  • Foraging behavior in parasitoids is crucial for host location and reproductive success.
  • Patch marking is a known communication method in some insect species, but its function in Dendrocerus carpenteri was unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if Dendrocerus carpenteri females produce patch marks.
  • To determine if these marks convey information about the producer's identity and foraging success (host found or not).
  • To assess if female size or egg load influences responses to these patch marks.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental manipulation of patch exploration by D. carpenteri females.
  • Observation of foraging behavior (path length, time spent) in response to conspecific-marked and control areas.
  • Analysis of responses based on whether hosts were found and the egg load of the observing female.

Main Results:

  • Females reduced exploration in areas previously explored successfully by a conspecific, but not if the area was unexplored or explored by themselves.
  • Egg load influenced foraging decisions, with low-egg-load females spending less time in previously explored areas.
  • Results suggest a marking pheromone is applied, indicating producer identity and host presence.

Conclusions:

  • Dendrocerus carpenteri females use patch marks containing pheromones to communicate foraging information.
  • These pheromone cues inform conspecifics about host availability and the identity of the marking individual.
  • Egg load modulates the response to these chemical signals, highlighting individual variation in foraging strategies.