GENETIC-VARIABILITY IN THE EGG-LAYING BEHAVIOR OF TRICHOGRAMMA-MAIDIS

Some trichogramma maidis females [Hymenoptera : Trichogrammatidae] aggregate their eggs in adjacent hosts others scatter them amongst distant host eggs. The individual variability of aggregated-attack behaviour in mated T. maidis females was studied by isolating them with a uniform patch of a uniform patch of about 500 Ephestia kuehniella [Lepidoptera : Pyralidae] UV killed eggs. Genetic analysis demonstrated that similar behaviour exists between sisters and that the trait is transmissible and relatively stable over 2 successive generations. The ethological basis and the ecological significance of this variability are discussed.