Differential Host Handling Behavior between Feeding and Oviposition in the Parasitic Wasp Haplogonatopus hernandezae

摘要: Lifetime fitness is directly influenced by the decision to use resources for either current or future reproduction. Thus, females should weigh costs and benefits of each reproductive opportunity allocate accordingly. Here, we explore decision-making time spent handling hosts different instars in parasitoid Haplogonatopus hernandezae, which uses a single planthopper host oviposit (i.e., reproduction) feed reproduction). Our results indicate that manipulation attacks led oviposition feeding increased with instar size. Consequently, were less successful on older than younger ones. Similarly, attack during was greater when manipulating fifth nymphs compared ones, but similar. Surprisingly, grasping chelate forelegs differed between events, specific foreleg morphology H. hernandezae facilitates grasp clypeus gena host. We also link this previously undescribed differential behavior species final feed. Given differences effort among instars, found more often chosen consumption hosts, oviposition. study suggests tradeoff investment assessment suitability offspring survival.