Host-finding-behavior
Guides
Ibalia
Ibalia is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ibaliidae, comprising approximately 13-14 described species. All species are specialized parasitoids of siricid woodwasps (family Siricidae), attacking the larval stages of their hosts within dead or decaying wood. Females locate host larvae by detecting volatile compounds emitted by symbiotic fungi that siricids cultivate for nutrition. The genus is notable for its laterally compressed abdomen, giving a distinctive flattened appearance, and for its role as a biological control agent against invasive woodwasps such as Sirex noctilio.
parasitoidwoodwasp-parasitoidbiological-controlforest-insectCynipoideaproovigenicolfactory-foragingcuticular-hydrocarbonesalkane-pheromonesSiricidae-parasitoidAmylostereumCerrenavolatileshost-finding-behaviorpatch-foragingcon-specific-interferenceflight-capacitylaterally-compressed-abdomenIbalia-ancepsIbalia-leucospoidesIbalia-drewseniIbalia-japonicaIbalia-rufipesIbalia-ruficollisPachylobius picivorus
pitch-eating weevil, pitch eating weevil
Pachylobius picivorus, commonly known as the pitch-eating weevil, is a pine root-feeding weevil native to North America. The species is an economically significant pest of natural and planted pine seedlings, with brood development requiring 100–128 days during summer. Adults are long-lived and oviposit continuously at approximately 0.7 eggs per day per female throughout their lifespan. Populations exhibit two annual peaks in the Georgia Piedmont, driven by temperature and developmental cycles. Behavioral studies indicate the species responds strongly to olfactory cues, particularly ethanol and turpentine mixtures, though visual cues are less important for host location than in related species such as Hylobius pales.
pine-weevilroot-feeding-weevilforestry-pestPinus-pestCurculionidaeNorth-AmericaGeorgia-Piedmonttrap-response-behaviorethanol-turpentine-responsepine-seedling-damagelong-lived-adultcontinuous-ovipositionpopulation-peakssummer-brood-developmentolfactory-cue-responsevisual-cue-secondaryTedders-trapmodified-Tilles-trapeconomic-pestforest-regeneration-pestlarval-root-feedingpine-plantation-pestbehavioral-ecologyhost-finding-behaviorground-dwelling-weevilPachylobiusMolytinaePissodiniStelidota geminata
strawberry sap beetle
Stelidota geminata, commonly known as the strawberry sap beetle, is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. This small beetle has a broad host range and is widely distributed across Central America, North America, Oceania, South America, Europe, and temperate Asia. Research indicates it functions as a chemical 'generalist' in host-finding behavior, responding to a wide variety of host volatiles rather than specializing on specific chemical cues. It is known to be associated with fermenting fruit, particularly strawberries (Fragaria spp.), and exhibits both phototactic flights and host-orienting flights when locating food sources. The species has been introduced to various regions outside its native range and is considered a pest of strawberry crops.
Trogus pennator
Trogus pennator is a parasitoid wasp in the family Ichneumonidae that attacks larvae of swallowtail butterflies (Papilionidae), particularly in the genera Eurytides and Papilio. Females locate hosts using chemical cues from larval frass and feeding damage. The species is deterred from parasitizing Battus philenor due to aristolochic acid sequestration by that host. It has been recorded in North America including Vermont.