Is the protected area coverage still relevant in protecting the Southern Ground-hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) biological niche in Zimbabwe? Perspectives from ecological predictions

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Biocontrol Science and Technology

Publication Date

2-1-2006

Abstract

The outcome of multiparasitism by two pupal parasitoids, the exotic solitary ichneumonid Xanthopimpla stemmator and the indigenous gregarious eulophid Pediobius furvus, was studied using the invasive crambid stem borer Chilo partellus and the indigenous noctuid Busseola fusca as hosts. Two parasitism sequences were observed, where X. stemmator oviposited before P. furvus, and vice versa. In addition, the effect of time between first and second parasitism on parasitoid emergence, development, sex ratio, and number of offspring was assessed. For most treatments, time interval between parasitism had no significant effect on the percentage if pupae producing either P. furvus or X. stemmator. In general, X. stemmator outcompeted P. furvus irrespective of the order of oviposition, time interval between ovipositions and host species. Further studies, especially on host finding capacity of the two parasitoid species are required to determine the competitiveness of the two species under field conditions. © 2006 Taylor & Francis.

Keywords

Busseola fusca, Chilo partellus, Multiparasitism, Pediobius furvus, Pupal parasitoids, Xanthopimpla stemmator

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