Finding an egg in a haystack: Variation in chemical cue use by egg parasitoids of herbivorous insects

Summary

Egg parasitoids of herbivorous insects use an interplay of short- and long-range chemical cues emitted by hosts and host plants to find eggs to parasitize. Volatile compounds that attract egg parasitoids can be identified via behavioral assays and used to manipulate parasitoid behavior in the field for biological control of herbivorous pests. However, how and when a particular cue will be used varies over the life of an individual, as well as at and below species level. Future research should expand taxonomic coverage to explore variation in chemical cue use in more natural, dynamic settings. More nuanced understanding of the variability of egg parasitoid host-finding strategies will aid in disentangling the underlying genetics and further enhancing biological control.