Behavior of Chrysomelobia labidomerae Eickwort parasitizing the Colorado potato beetle

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-1988

Abstract

Investigations on niche selection, migration, and oviposition behavior were conducted with Chrysomelobia labidomerae Eickwort parasitizing the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). These findings were compared with those of Baker and Eickwart for the behavior of C. labidomerae on the milkweed leaf beetle, Labidomera clivicollis (Kirby). The most consistent difference is that adult female mites of the milkweed leaf beetle race are found on the exterior surface of C. labidomerae more often than the Colorado potato beetle mite race. Observations on individual mites throughout their development revealed a regular pattern of migration from one stage-specific niche to the next. The routes of migration are illustrated for each developmental stage. Studies on oviposition behavior provided no evidence for a diel periodicity in egg laying. The niche occupied by eggs is a result of a “rolling” behavior by adult female mites. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

International Journal of Acarology

Volume

14

Issue

4

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