Comparison of Parasitic Hymenoptera Captured in Malaise Traps Baited with Two Flowering Plants, Lobularia Maritima (Brassicales: Brassicaceae) and Spermacoce Verticillata (Gentianales: Rubiaceae) (Report‪)‬

The identification of the food sources available to adult parasitoids could yield several benefits. These include: (1) obtaining kairomones that might be formulated as attractants to monitor parasitoid population dynamics, such as age-structure and dispersal; (2) characterizing sites capable of maintaining natural enemies after release; (3) using known food sources to modify agro-environments in order to better concentrate parasitoid populations; and (4) provide cues and nutrients to improve longevity, oviposition and mating in mass-rearing facilities. Many species of adult hymenopteran parasitoids feed on the nectar of flowering plants (Jervis et al. 1993; Landis et al. 2000; Syme 1975). Nectar provides a valuable source of carbohydrates and is often the only source available (Wackers et al. 1996). Even host-feeding parasitoids consume additional floral foods (Jervis & Kidd 1986). Floral feeding increases the longevity, fecundity and parasitism rates of certain visiting wasps in the laboratory (Idris & Grafius 1995; Zhao et al. 1992), in field cages (Dyer & Landis 1996) and in the field (Zhao et al. 1992).