Response by the Parasitoid Campoletis sonorensis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) to Chemicals (Synomones) in Plants: Implications for Host Habitat Location

Laboratory studies showed the attraction of Campoletis sonorensis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) to flowers and other plant parts. Some of the plants tested may be food sources for the noctuid hosts of the parasitoid. Response varies significantly among plant species. and some plant species lack the attractive factors. Female parasitoids also antennate and probe plant parts upon contact. Response is greater to flowers than to leaves or stems, and is also greater to damaged than to undamaged leaves. Volatile and contact chemicals are involved in this attraction and can be extracted with ethyl ether.