The role of geography and host abundance in the distribution of parasitoids of an alien pest

PeerJ
Petra NovákováJakub Horák

Abstract

Chalcid wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) are probably the most effective and abundant parasitoids of the horse chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella), an alien pest in Europe that lacks specialized enemies. We studied how the species richness and abundance of chalcids are influenced by altitude, direction of an alien spread and host abundance of C. ohridella. We quantified the numbers and species richness of chalcid wasps and the numbers of C. ohridella that emerged from horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) leaf litter samples collected from 35 sites in the Czech Republic. Species richness of chalcids, which was considered an indicator of the possible adaptation of parasitoids to this alien host, was unrelated to C. ohridella abundance, direction of spread, or altitude. Chalcid abundance, which was considered an indicator of parasitism of the alien host, was strongly and positively related to C. ohridella abundance. Chalcid abundance was negatively related to direction of spread and positively related, although in a non-linear manner, to altitude. The relationship of chalcid abundance with direction of spread and altitude was weaker than that with C. ohridella abundance. The results provide evidence that biological contr...Continue Reading

References

Apr 12, 2011·Clinical and Experimental Dermatology·A Walsh, S Walsh
Jun 24, 2011·Marine Pollution Bulletin·Nikolai MaximenkoPeter Niiler
Jul 4, 2012·Autism : the International Journal of Research and Practice·Jessica R DykstraSam L Odom
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