The parasitoid Aenasius arizonensis prefers its natural host but can parasitize a nonnatural host in the laboratory: an opportunity for control of a new invasive mealybug

Abstract The absence of natural enemies in newly invaded areas is a key factor the successful invasion alien species. Whether specific parasitoid can be domesticated to attack nonnatural host that has no reported parasitic invasive remains unclear. Here, we analyzed two mealybugs (PSS- Phenacoccus solenopsis and PSI- solani ) P. ( Aenasius arizonensis verify this hypothesis under laboratory conditions. A. preferred parasitize PSS, but after 6 h, it also parasitized PSI female adults. number visits parasitism rate was significantly higher for PSS than PSI. However, contact time influenced by natal host. chemical volatiles emitted hosts were different may an important choice. Offspring fitness, measured as emergence time, longevity, hind tibia length, those emerging from better PSI, latter. We supposed accepts parasitizes low-quality not because "incomplete" evaluation more profitable given circumstances; provide opportunity control new mealybug future.