Temporal dynamics of parasitoid assemblages parasitizing the codling moth

• The parasitoid community of the codling moth was analyzed in apple orchards.
• The same tree parasitoids attacked codling moth larvae all along the season.
• Parasitism rates differed between sites and between young and mature larvae.
• Parasitism rates in mature larvae increased with times.
• The proportion of hyper-parasitoid increased with times.

Population dynamics of parasitoid–host interaction is primary important knowledge to develop an efficient biological control strategy of insect pests. We analyzed the seasonal dynamic of the parasitoid community of the codling moth in two sites in South-Eastern France, which differed by the number of codling moth annual generations. Parasitism was estimated by sampling both young larvae collected within apple fruits and mature larvae in band traps wrapped around the trunk of the apple trees. Parasitism rates differed between sites and between young and mature larvae. Parasitism rate were higher in young larvae (29% in average) than in the mature ones (21% in average) and globally increased along the season among cohorts of mature codling moth larvae (from 4% to 34%). The three most abundant species in the parasitoid community – Ascogaster quadridentata, Pristomerus vulnerator and Perilampus tristis – were observed at both sites, in each codling moth cohort and in both young and mature larvae. Among all the parasitoids, the proportion of Perilampus – an hyper-parasitoid attacking both Ascogaster and Pristomerus primary parasitoids – increased among the codling moth cohorts (from 9% to 53%) whereas the proportion of Ascogaster decreased (from 82% to 35%). This shed light on the importance to characterize the dynamic of the whole trophic network (including hyperparasitism) to design biological control strategies.

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