Eur. J. Entomol. 98 (2): 171-176, 2001 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2001.032

Aestivation in Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae): Implications for parasitism

Hubert R. SPIETH, Elke SCHWARZER
Faculty of Biology, Department of Animal Ecology, University of Bielefeld, Morgenbreede 45, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany

Only in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula the large white butterfly Pieris brassicae was recorded to pass the summer in pupal aestivation, induced by long-day photoperiods. It is not clear why this photoperiodic response is regionally restricted. We investigated whether the change of life history in P. brassicae may affect the infestation by parasites. This was done by testing the coincidence of photoperiodic responses in both the host P. brassicae and in its main parasitoid Cotesia glomerata. While the response under short-day conditions was very similar in both species, no summer dormancy of any type was found in the parasitoid at photophases >= 15h and temperatures of 15°-25°C in contrast to 100% aestivation in the host. We suggest that aestivation is a response which allows the host to desynchronise its life cycle from that of its parasitoid. This is effective because parasitoid wasps cannot pass the temporary absence of suitable host stages by a similar developmental rest. C. glomerata is then forced to switch to less adequate host species which diminishes its reproductive success.

Keywords: Pieris brassicae, Cotesia glomerata, Braconidae, photoperiodic response, aestivation, migration, parasitism, Iberian peninsula

Received: April 10, 2000; Revised: October 17, 2000; Accepted: April 2, 2001; Published: June 19, 2001  Show citation

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SPIETH, H.R., & SCHWARZER, E. (2001). Aestivation in Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae): Implications for parasitism. EJE, 98(2), 171-176. doi: 10.14411/eje.2001.032
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