Showing papers by "Chaminade University of Honolulu published in 1996"

Trimedlure affects mating success and mate attraction in male Mediterranean fruit flies

Abstract: Male Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), are attracted to the synthetic compound trimedlure. Despite the common use of trimedlure in control programs, the underlying basis of male attraction remains unknown. In a series of laboratory trials, we compared the mating success of (treated) males exposed to trimedlure and (control) males not given access to trimedlure. When tested immediately after exposure, treated males mated more frequently than control males. This mating advantage was short-lived, however, and males tested as little as 24 h after exposure had no advantage over control males. When tested immediately after exposure, treated males exhibited higher levels of pheromone calling than control males. Consequently, more females were attracted to treated males than to control males in field tests.

Intraspecific nest parasitism in the sand wasp Stictia heros (Fabr.) (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae).

Abstract: Two forms of intraspecific nest parasitism are described for the neotropical sand waspStictia heros (Fabr.). Females behaving aggressively made aerial attacks on prey-laden females as they approached their nest for provisioning. Attacks resulted in prolonged grappling on the sand, and the relative sizes of the contestants influenced final possession of the prey. Also, the probability that returning females were attacked was directly related to the size of the prey being delivered. Females displaying marauding behavior entered the nests of other females, removed prey, and deposited it in their own nest. Females usually raided nests that were near their own nest and tended to concentrate raiding attempts on nests that previously yielded prey. We also describe the behavior associated with the delivery of hunted prey and examine possible interrelationships between wasp size, prey size and hunting trip duration.