Chemical cues involved in the host foraging behavior of Psyttalia concolor wasps to locate the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae

Foraging parasitoids rely on infochemicals, derived from the habitat, host plant and/or insect itself. Here, we studied olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), a major pest in agroecosystem and its larval parasitoid, Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), well-established abundant wasp Crete. To improve parasitoid’s efficiency as biological control agent, more knowledge location behavior is required. The aim of this study was to investigate role oviposition- (OIPVs) herbivore-induced volatiles (HIPVs) emitted by trees upon infestation B. well cues , e.g., pheromones, therein. We conducted two-choice bioassays test preference P. different olfactory stimuli. Moreover, collected headspace fruits branches whether egg or changes volatile emissions locally or/and systemically. found that wasps showed strong larval-infested compared clean air, non-infested, egg-infested, mechanical-damaged fruits. But they were not able discriminate between non-infested branches. In addition, attracted virgin mated females. They neither males nor with without oviposition marking . important qualitative differences profiles egg- fruits: nineteen compounds only detected infested fruits, such terpenoids (E)-β -ocimene (E,E) - α -farnesene. analysis olives change systemically response infestation. Our results suggest both HIPVs play an during location. Further chemical utilized parasitoid locate could help application orchards natural enemies.