The effect of abiotic factors on foraging and oviposition success of the aphid parasitoid, Aphidius rosae.

Searching patterns and oviposition success of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius rosae were analysed in different abiotic conditions (simulated wind, simulated drizzling rain, simulated shower, high temperature, low humidity, "standard conditions") in the laboratory. Residence times, time allocation and oviposition success did not differ significantly between females foraging on rose shoots during periods with high temperature (>33°C) and low humidity (35%-40% relative humidity) and females searching under standard laboratory conditions (20°C, 65%-70% relative humidity, no wind). A wind speed of 2 m/s reduced the oviposition numbers significantly, and females spent much more time resting than searching for hosts. Females did not leave a shoot during wind, but departed quickly after wind had ceased. Simulated drizzling rain or simulated showers had the strongest effects on A. rosae foraging. Both types of rain prevented all foraging activities including departure from the shoot, and females laid no eggs during rain. After rain had stopped, females were mainly engaged with cleaning themselves and laid relatively few eggs compared to standard conditions. The impact of unfavourable abiotic environmental factors like wind or rain may help to explain why many parasitoids lay only a small proportion of their available eggs when foraging in the field.