Intensification and prolongation of host searching inLeptopilina heterotoma (Thomson) (Hymenoptera: Eucoilidae) through a kairomone produced byDrosophila melanogaster

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Abstract
A chemical cue (kairomone) of the host, larvae ofDrosophila, was found to influence patch-time allocation of the parasiteLeptopilina heterotoma. This kairomone is soluble in water and chloroform. The kairomone was purified using thin-layer chromatography. The concentration of the kairomone increases with an increasing number of hosts. The parasites may use presence and concentration of the kairomone as cues to determine patch-time allocation.