Responses of Dasineura brassicae and its parasitoids Platygaster subuliformis and Omphale clypealis to field traps baited with organic isothiocyanates

The responses of Dasineura brassicae and its parasitoids Platygaster subuliformis and Omphale clypealis to allyl and 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanates have been investigated using a new design of trap in winter oilseed rape. Traps baited with allyl isothiocyanate caught more male and female D. brassicae and more female O. clypealis than traps baited with 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanate or unbaited traps, whereas traps baited with 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanate caught more male and female Platygaster subuliformis than traps baited with allyl isothiocyanate or unbaited traps. The implications of these results for host-plant and oviposition-site location by D. brassicae and for host habitat and host location by the parasitoids are discussed, as is the potential for using these responses in integrated pest management strategies