Effects of winter wheat cultivars on the life history traits and olfactory response of Aphidius gifuensis

Life history traits of Aphidius gifuensis on Sitobion avenae reared on different cultivars of wheat were investigated in no choice tests, oviposition observations and olfactometer tests in the laboratory. Results showed that A. gifuensis female parasitoids parasitized significantly more aphids on AK58 and Xiaoyan22 than on Xinong979. Progeny of A. gifuensis that were reared on Xinong979-fed aphids and AK58-fed aphids had a higher female ratio and a larger body size than those reared on Xiaoyan22-fed aphids. Moreover, parasitoid progeny developed fastest on AK58 among the three cultivars. A. gifuensis adult females showed a stronger response to aphid-infested AK58 seedlings compared to Xinong979, and were more active when provided AK58-fed aphids as hosts. In conclusion, A. gifuensis preferred and performed best on AK58 among the three selected wheat cultivars, and the wheat cultivar AK58 could be the best host plant for mass rearing A. gifuensis in biological control programs.