Host selection by Apanteles flavipes (Cameron)(Hymenoptera: Braconidae): influence of host and host plant

The frass produced by six different lepidopterous borer species fed separately on sugarcane, corn, sorghum, pearl millet, and Sorghum sudanense was tested to determine the influence of host and host plant on the host selection behavior of the braconid parasite A. flavipes (Cameron) adapted to corn borers in Pakistan. Both the host and host plant play an important role in the host selection. The frass produced by Chilo partellus (Swinhoe), Sesamia inferens (Walker), and S. uniformis (Dudgeon) fed sorghum and corn was highly attractive; the frass produced by Emmalocera depressella (Swinhoe) fed on all the plants and the frass of C. partellus, C. infuscatellus Sn., and Acigona steniellus (Hamps.) fed on sugarcane was least attractive. Role of host and host plant in locating the host by this parasite, which may be critical in its possible establishment in new areas, should be considered when introducing this parasite.