Chemical stimuli in host-habitat location byLeptopilina heterotoma (Thomson) (Hymenoptera: Eucoilidae), a parasite ofDrosophila

Abstract

Chemical stimuli play an important role in the process of searching for a host habitat by parasitic wasps. Volatile compounds originating from host habitats and/or hosts are the cues that enable such a location.Leptopilina heterotoma, a larval parasite ofDrosophila, is attracted to the food of its host, baker's yeast. Analysis of the fermentation products of baker's yeast, using a mass spectrometer, and olfactometer studies indicate that three fermentation products of this yeast, the main component of the host habitat in our laboratory, attractL. heterotoma: ethanol (5%), ethyl acetate (10⁻², 10⁻³%), and acetaldehyde (1%). A combination of these three compounds, however, cannot compete with baker's yeast in attracting the parasites. Thus other factors, such as different compounds, concentrations, and/or combinations, also, play a role and remain to be tested.Leptopilina heterotoma does not use host-related olfactory cues in long-distance habitat location as it cannot distinguish between host habitat and host habitat with hosts.