Publication Date

1-1-1997

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

King, Bethia H.

Degree Name

B.S. (Bachelor of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Biological Sciences

Abstract

The effects of mating status and competition for suitable hosts on the overall activity and flight behavior of Nasonia vitripennis were investigated by observing the wasps' activity in a terrarium setting. N . vitripennis is a small, nonmigratory wasp that parasitizes fly pupae. This species, as well as other parasitoids, may be used in biological control of pest fly populations. Mated females were found to be significantly more active overall versus virgins for a duration of up to two hours after mating, regardless of whether or not the females were exposed to a suitable host. After a five day duration, there was no significant difference in the activity levels between mated and virgin females. Competition for hosts was shown to significantly increase activity levels when wasps were exposed to hosts which contained larvae from previous conspecific parasitism, but not when the ratio of females per host was increased.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.

Extent

22 unnumbered pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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