Olfactory responses of the parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) to odor of plants, aphids, and plant-aphid complexes

Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh) (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) is a parasitoid of several aphid species, including the Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), and the cabbage aphid (CA), Brevicoryne brassicae (L.). The response of mated D. rapae females to odors from wheat, cabbage, and plant-host complexes was investigated using a four-choice olfactometer. Experienced parasitoids, but not inexperienced females, responded positively to odors of the wheat-RWA complex in a no-choice test. In choice tests, experienced parasitoids did not respond to odors of uninfested cabbage and wheat leaves, but did respond positively to aphid-infested plants and to aphids alone. The response of D. rapae to the cabbage-CA complex and to CA alone was significantly greater than to the wheat-RWA complex and RWA alone, suggesting an innate odor preference for crucifer-feeding aphids.