DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Ecological Chemistry and Patterns ofHost Use in the Parasitoid Genus Trogus

9600094本项目结合了系统学和化学生态学的方法，调查了寄生于蝶科幼虫的特罗格斯属(姬蜂科)黄蜂攻击的寄主物种数量的控制因素。将对特罗格斯属和相关属的系统学进行调查，以确定寄主群丛进化的趋势。为了确定寄主发现的机制，将用北美物种Trogus pennator进行行为实验。通过比较用于在不同食用植物上定位寄主毛虫的化合物，本研究将检验这样的假设，即寄主范围的分类限制是由于对这些植物共享的化学线索的保守反应。寄生蜂是农作物害虫最重要的天敌。更好地了解它们的生物学可能会提出新的方法来操纵寄生蜂和农业生态系统，以改进虫害控制和减少杀虫剂的使用。

9600094 Feeny This project combines the approaches of systematics and chemical ecology to investigate the factors controlling the number of host species attacked by wasps of the genus Trogus (family Ichneumonidae), all species of which parasitize caterpillars of the butterfly family Papilionidae. The systematics of Trogus and related genera will be investigated to identify trends in the evolution of host associations. To identify mechanisms of host-finding, behavioral experiments will be conducted with the North American species Trogus pennator. By comparing the chemical compounds used to locate host caterpillars on different food plants, this research will test the hypothesis that taxonomic restriction in host range results from conservative responses to chemical cues shared by these plants. Parasitic wasps are the single most important natural enemy of crop pests. Better understanding of their biology may suggest new ways to manipulate parasitoids and agroecosytems for improved pest control and reduced use of insecticides.