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Influence of Nematode Parasitism, Body Size, Temperature, and Diel Period on the Flight Capacity of Sirex noctilio F. (Hymenoptera: Siricidae)

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Abstract

Sirex noctilio F. (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) is a woodwasp of pine trees that has recently invaded and established in North American forests. Although S. noctilio has had a limited impact in North America to date, there is some concern that it could have a significant impact on pine plantations, especially in the southeastern U.S.A. Moreover, there are few data on the flight capacity of male S. noctilio. We found no association between parasitism by D. siricidicola and whether or not S. noctilio initiated flight on the flight mill. Male wasps that were parasitized by nematodes were heavier than non-parasitized males, but there was no significant difference in mass between parasitized and non-parasitized females. We also examined the flight capacity of male and female S. noctilio in relation to nematode parasitism, body mass, temperature (for only males), and diel period. Body mass, temperature, and diel period affected flight in S. noctilio such that wasps were generally observed to fly faster, farther, and more frequently if they were heavier, flying at warmer temperatures, and flying during the photoperiod. The fact that nematode-parasitized male wasps were found to fly farther than the non-parasitized males is consistent with the hypothesis that nematode parasitism does not negatively affect the flight capacity of S. noctilio.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank R. Nott for constructing the flight mills and connecting them to software to process raw flight data; S. Drabble, N. Boyonoski, S. Crispell, K. Kotska, C. Fall, C. Mihell, and S. Escasa for field and lab assistance; A. Foley for access to the Ontario Tree Seed Facility; and T. Scarr for research support. This collaborative work was funded in part by Natural Resources Canada, The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and the USDA Forest Service-Forest Health Protection.

Authors Contribution

LJH and JDA conceived and designed the experiment, LJH conducted the experiment, JMG and CJKM analyzed the data, and all authors contributed to writing the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Justin M. Gaudon.

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Gaudon, J.M., Haavik, L.J., MacQuarrie, C.J.K. et al. Influence of Nematode Parasitism, Body Size, Temperature, and Diel Period on the Flight Capacity of Sirex noctilio F. (Hymenoptera: Siricidae). J Insect Behav 29, 301–314 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-016-9563-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-016-9563-3

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