
	Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences
	Year: 2003 \| Volume: 6 \| Issue: 5 \| Page No.: 455-460 DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2003.455.460

Influence of Plant Structural Complexity on the Searching Behaviour of the Egg Parasitoid Anagrus atomus (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae)

D.A.M. Choudhury and M.J.W. Copland

Abstract: Trichome types and density on the abaxial surface of five host plants of glasshouse leafhopper Hauptidia maroccana Melichar were studied by scanning electron microscopeic (SEM) procedure. The movement of the egg parasitoid Anagrus atomus Linnaeus was also studied on five different host plants. Glandular and non-glandular erect trichomes were observed on the leaf surfaces. Trichome density was always higher on leaf veins than on leaf lamina. The highest (348 mm^-2) and lowest (6 mm^-2) trichome density was observed on Primula and Sweet pepper, respectively. Variation in leaf morphology of different host plants significantly affected the walking speed and turning of A. atomus. Walking speed of female A. atomus was the fastest (1.21 mm sec^-1) on Sweet pepper and slowest (0.72 mm sec^-1) on Primula which attributed to the highest meandering (55.48 deg mm^-1) on Primula and the lowest (21.61 deg mm^-1) on Sweet pepper among the five host plants. On the other hand, the presence of host egg worked as arrestant. The females showed frequent turning and walked most slowly in presence of host egg in the leaf. Consideration should be made on plant surface structures in determining the release of A. atomus in biological control programme.

PDF Fulltext XML References Citation Report Citation

How to cite this article:

D.A.M. Choudhury and M.J.W. Copland, 2003. Influence of Plant Structural Complexity on the Searching Behaviour of the Egg Parasitoid Anagrus atomus (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae). Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 6: 455-460.

DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2003.455.460

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjbs.2003.455.460

COMMENT ON THIS PAPER

Navigation


		Online First
		Current Issue
		Previous Issues
		Editorial Board
		Submit a Manuscript
		Guide to Authors
		Subscribe to E-alerts

Indexed In


		AGRIS
		ASCI-Database
		Asian Digital Library
		Cambridge Scientific Abstract
		Chemical Abstract Services
		Google Scholar
		ISI Web of Knowledge
		PubMed
		SCIMAGO
		Thomson ISI

Science Alert