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<p>The parasitoids <i>Eretmocerus hayati</i> and <i>Eretmocerus corni</i> are important biocontrol agents for whiteflies, but have variable host specificity. Although both parasitoids can parasitize and feed on <i>Bemisia tabaci</i> and <i>Trialeurodes vaporariorum</i>, <i>E. hayati</i> can complete development only from <i>B. tabaci</i>, whereas <i>E. corni</i> can complete development from both parasitized hosts. The mechanisms underlying these host-specific adaptations remain unclear. Using high-resolution behavioral tracking and developmental assays, we uncovered a striking evolutionary divergence. Although both wasps exhibited identical, conserved behavioral sequences during parasitism (host drumming, ovipositor positioning, oviposition, withdrawal, and self-grooming) and feeding (host drumming, drilling, and feeding), their developmental outcomes were highly host-dependent. Host species influenced parasitism success in <i>E. hayati</i> and feeding durations for both parasitoid species. Drumming durations during parasitism and feeding did not differ between parasitoid species or hosts. However, <i>E. hayati</i> had significantly longer oviposition durations on <i>B. tabaci</i> than on <i>T. vaporariorum</i>. In contrast, <i>E. corni</i> exhibited no host-specific differences in oviposition or self-grooming times. Both parasitoids spent more time drilling and feeding on <i>B. tabaci</i> than on <i>T. vaporariorum</i>. Both parasitoids completed their life cycles successfully in <i>B. tabaci</i>. Despite <i>E. corni</i> producing larger eggs in size than <i>E. hayati</i>, this conferred no developmental advantage within this host. However, development of offspring diverged in <i>T. vaporariorum</i>: <i>E. corni</i> fully completed development whereas <i>E. hayati</i> larvae arrested at 7&#xa0;days post-parasitism. These findings demonstrate that host-parasitoid coevolution can conserve behavioral sequences while promoting developmental plasticity, offering key insights for optimizing biological control strategies.</p>

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Host-dependent trade-offs in Eretmocerus parasitoids: conserved behaviors mask divergent developmental outcomes on whiteflies

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月11日

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  • Tong Zhu,
  • Xi-Ya Wang,
  • W. M. W. W. Kandegama,
  • Lucie S. Monticelli,
  • Nicolas Desneux,
  • Lian-Sheng Zang

摘要

The parasitoids Eretmocerus hayati and Eretmocerus corni are important biocontrol agents for whiteflies, but have variable host specificity. Although both parasitoids can parasitize and feed on Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum, E. hayati can complete development only from B. tabaci, whereas E. corni can complete development from both parasitized hosts. The mechanisms underlying these host-specific adaptations remain unclear. Using high-resolution behavioral tracking and developmental assays, we uncovered a striking evolutionary divergence. Although both wasps exhibited identical, conserved behavioral sequences during parasitism (host drumming, ovipositor positioning, oviposition, withdrawal, and self-grooming) and feeding (host drumming, drilling, and feeding), their developmental outcomes were highly host-dependent. Host species influenced parasitism success in E. hayati and feeding durations for both parasitoid species. Drumming durations during parasitism and feeding did not differ between parasitoid species or hosts. However, E. hayati had significantly longer oviposition durations on B. tabaci than on T. vaporariorum. In contrast, E. corni exhibited no host-specific differences in oviposition or self-grooming times. Both parasitoids spent more time drilling and feeding on B. tabaci than on T. vaporariorum. Both parasitoids completed their life cycles successfully in B. tabaci. Despite E. corni producing larger eggs in size than E. hayati, this conferred no developmental advantage within this host. However, development of offspring diverged in T. vaporariorum: E. corni fully completed development whereas E. hayati larvae arrested at 7 days post-parasitism. These findings demonstrate that host-parasitoid coevolution can conserve behavioral sequences while promoting developmental plasticity, offering key insights for optimizing biological control strategies.