{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.023148148148148147, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0, 'mean_word_length': 4.844594594594595, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Host instar and host plant effects on Aphidius colemani

Abstract:  The effect of Myzus persicae age (I–IV instar nymphs) on parasitism by Aphidus colemani was investigated in choice experiments with either aubergine (Solanum melongena L.) or pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) as the aphid host plant species. Aphidius colemani could develop successfully to the mummy stage in all ages of aphid tested, on both pepper and aubergine plants. The greatest proportion of parasitoid mummies was found with II and III aphid instars on pepper and on I, II and III aphid instars on aubergine. On aubergine, I instar nymphs were also parasitized to an appreciable degree. Successful parasitism of IV instar nymphs was consistently low on both crops. The potential implications of host plant effects on the effectiveness of A. colemani as a biological control agent are discussed.