Plant-mediated effects of different Salix species on the performance of the braconid parasitoid Perilitus brevicollis.

摘要: Abstract The blue willow beetle, Phratora vulgatissima , is considered to be the most damaging herbivorous pest in Salix short-rotation coppices throughout Europe. braconid parasitoid Perilitus brevicollis an important natural enemy of . As several different species are used coppices, I investigated bottom–up (tritrophic) effects on parasitoid. Three host plants were studied: introduced fast-growing S. viminalis which highly susceptible beetle; dasyclados and moderately-resistant native slow-growing cinerea not currently coppices. identity host-plant had significant larval development time; parasitoids developed rapidly slowly moderately resistant Increased time resulted reduced adult longevity. Host-plant also affected survival; 57%, 64%, 49% successfully completed beetles fed viminalis, respectively. Parasitoid was correlated with body size their beetle host, but this effect independent species. results study suggest that has higher survival growth rates when it parasitizes feeding common coppice performance parasite feeds Conversely, omnivorous biocontrol agents sometimes these systems appear perform better compared predators may provide complementary protection therefore useful management.