The choice of probing sites by Bracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) foraging for Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

A direct behavioral assay was conducted to investigate the preferred habitat for host searching by the parasitoid Bracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). The effects of mating, feeding and post-emergence experience on female parasitoid choices of searching sites were also examined. B. hebetor appears to be directed to the habitat of its host through chemical cues originating from the host larvae, frass and adults. These cues elicit a series of directed responses by the female. Generally, the data showed that flour containing 30-day-old larvae was preferred by B. hebetor females. This was followed by the flour containing the frass, then the adult host, and finally the flour containing 10-day-old larvae. It appears that cues produced by young larvae were the weakest whereas cues produced by older ones were the strongest. Feeding seemed to be important in the location of the proper searching site. Although the cues were normally learned by the immature stages of the parasitoid, and were subsequently manifested in their responses as adults, adult experience increased the ability of the parasitoid to locate the suitable habitat for searching.