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The chemical ecology of host location by parasitoids of African stemborers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Linnet S. Gohole
Affiliation:
Moi University, Department of Crop Production and Seed Technology, P.O. Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
Adele J. Ngi-Song
Affiliation:
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
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Abstract

During foraging, parasitoids of insect herbivores are aided by chemical compounds generally termed ‘infochemicals’, to locate their hosts. The origin of the infochemicals varies; they may be derived from the herbivore itself or activities related to the biology of the herbivore, the host plant, or from interactions between the plant and the herbivore. This paper reviews the status of research in this area, and presents an account of the infochemicals used by African stemborer parasitoids during foraging, as well as recommending possible areas for further investigation. The information generated has potential for application in behaviour modification of parasitoids species in biological control programmes.

Résumé

Lors de la recherche de l'hôte les parasitoïdes des insectes herbivores s'orientent grâce à certains composés chimiques volatiles appelés ‘infochemicals’. L'origine de ces composés chimiques est variable. Ils proviennent soit de l'hôte lui-même, soit des activités en relation avec la biologie de l'hôte, de la plante hôte, ou de l'interaction entre les deux. Cet article revise le statut des recherches dans ce domaine. Il présente une liste des composés chimiques utilisés par les parasitoïdes des foreurs africains lors de la recherche de l'hôte et suggère des thèmes de recherches futures. Les informations générées ici ont un potentiel d'application dans les programmes de lutte biologique dans le cadre de la modification des comportements des espèces de parasitoïdes.

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 2001

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