Choice of aphid host does not impact the cold tolerance of the emerging parasitoid
For aphid parasitoids, the aphid host represents the sole source of nutrients for the developing immature. Because of this, host quality is an important factor affecting immature development and is known to affect a variety of life history traits including fecundity, longevity and offspring sex ratio. Interestingly, the study found no effect of aphid host species on the cold tolerance of the emerging parasitoid. It is possible that host manipulation by the immature parasitoid may help to influence the temperatures experienced during development, therefore removing any effect of aphid host on parasitoid cold tolerance. Read more here.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2017.10.008
For aphid parasitoids, the aphid host represents the sole source of nutrients for the developing immature. Because of this, host quality is an important factor affecting immature development and is known to affect a variety of life history traits including fecundity, longevity and offspring sex ratio. Interestingly, the study found no effect of aphid host species on the cold tolerance of the emerging parasitoid. It is possible that host manipulation by the immature parasitoid may help to influence the temperatures experienced during development, therefore removing any effect of aphid host on parasitoid cold tolerance. Read more here.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2017.10.008