Host identity and quality drive parasitoid fitness and have implications for biocontrol

Hossein  Kishani Farahani; Lucy Alford

doi:10.1111/afe.70029

Host identity and quality drive parasitoid fitness and have implications for biocontrol

Hossein Kishani Farahani^*, Lucy Alford

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Biological Sciences

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Abstract

Augmentative biocontrol depends on mass-rearing high-quality parasitoids. Host size and quality directly influence parasitoid fitness and effectiveness, making host selection critical for pest control success.

This study assessed the influence of two pyralid hosts on the fitness of Venturia canescens (Gravenhorst) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), an endoparasitoid of the carob moth Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) utilizing the natural host, E. ceratoniae, and an alternative host, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

A type II functional response was observed on larval stages of both hosts, indicating similar behavioural responses to host density. No significant differences were found in attack rates, handling times, or life history and morphological traits between hosts. However, host stage significantly affected these parameters. L5 hosts produced parasitoids with the shortest development time, largest body size, longest lifespan and highest daily fecundity; traits central to effective biocontrol.

Results indicate that E. kuehniella is a viable alternative host for mass-rearing V. canescens.

Original language	English
Number of pages	7
Journal	Agricultural and Forest Entomology
Early online date	26 Dec 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/afe.70029
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 26 Dec 2025

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Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Royal Entomological Society.

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title = "Host identity and quality drive parasitoid fitness and have implications for biocontrol",

abstract = "Augmentative biocontrol depends on mass-rearing high-quality parasitoids. Host size and quality directly influence parasitoid fitness and effectiveness, making host selection critical for pest control success. This study assessed the influence of two pyralid hosts on the fitness of Venturia canescens (Gravenhorst) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), an endoparasitoid of the carob moth Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) utilizing the natural host, E. ceratoniae, and an alternative host, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). A type II functional response was observed on larval stages of both hosts, indicating similar behavioural responses to host density. No significant differences were found in attack rates, handling times, or life history and morphological traits between hosts. However, host stage significantly affected these parameters. L5 hosts produced parasitoids with the shortest development time, largest body size, longest lifespan and highest daily fecundity; traits central to effective biocontrol. Results indicate that E. kuehniella is a viable alternative host for mass-rearing V. canescens.",

author = "\{Kishani Farahani\}, Hossein and Lucy Alford",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 Royal Entomological Society.",

year = "2025",

month = dec,

day = "26",

doi = "10.1111/afe.70029",

language = "English",

journal = "Agricultural and Forest Entomology",

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T1 - Host identity and quality drive parasitoid fitness and have implications for biocontrol

AU - Kishani Farahani, Hossein

AU - Alford, Lucy

PY - 2025/12/26

Y1 - 2025/12/26

N2 - Augmentative biocontrol depends on mass-rearing high-quality parasitoids. Host size and quality directly influence parasitoid fitness and effectiveness, making host selection critical for pest control success. This study assessed the influence of two pyralid hosts on the fitness of Venturia canescens (Gravenhorst) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), an endoparasitoid of the carob moth Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) utilizing the natural host, E. ceratoniae, and an alternative host, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). A type II functional response was observed on larval stages of both hosts, indicating similar behavioural responses to host density. No significant differences were found in attack rates, handling times, or life history and morphological traits between hosts. However, host stage significantly affected these parameters. L5 hosts produced parasitoids with the shortest development time, largest body size, longest lifespan and highest daily fecundity; traits central to effective biocontrol. Results indicate that E. kuehniella is a viable alternative host for mass-rearing V. canescens.

AB - Augmentative biocontrol depends on mass-rearing high-quality parasitoids. Host size and quality directly influence parasitoid fitness and effectiveness, making host selection critical for pest control success. This study assessed the influence of two pyralid hosts on the fitness of Venturia canescens (Gravenhorst) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), an endoparasitoid of the carob moth Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) utilizing the natural host, E. ceratoniae, and an alternative host, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). A type II functional response was observed on larval stages of both hosts, indicating similar behavioural responses to host density. No significant differences were found in attack rates, handling times, or life history and morphological traits between hosts. However, host stage significantly affected these parameters. L5 hosts produced parasitoids with the shortest development time, largest body size, longest lifespan and highest daily fecundity; traits central to effective biocontrol. Results indicate that E. kuehniella is a viable alternative host for mass-rearing V. canescens.

U2 - 10.1111/afe.70029

DO - 10.1111/afe.70029

M3 - Article (Academic Journal)

SN - 1461-9555

JO - Agricultural and Forest Entomology

JF - Agricultural and Forest Entomology

ER -

Host identity and quality drive parasitoid fitness and have implications for biocontrol

Abstract

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