The parasitoid of a fruit moth caterpillar utilizes fruit components as nutrient source to increase its longevity and fertility

Longevity and fecundity of female wasps are two decisive factors for the effectiveness of parasitoid species as biological control agents. Accessibility and suitability of nutrient sources determine parasitoid survival and reproduction. Host, nectar and honeydew feeding are frequent adult parasitoid behaviors to cover nutritional needs. Here we postulate that especially parasitoid species of endophytic herbivores might use plant tissue as a nutrient source that becomes accessible upon herbivory. We investigated the influence of plant consumption and host feeding on longevity and fecundity of Hyssopus pallidus, a gregarious ecto-parasitoid of caterpillars of the codling moth that feed inside apple fruits. Longevity of unmated and mated ovipositing female parasitoids was highest in treatments with fruit pulp. While longevity in this treatment was not significantly different from that with honey, it was significantly higher than in treatments without food, with water or with a host alone.