Similarity of the hyperparasitoid communities attacking two strains of a gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) primary parasitoid, Cotesia melanoscela (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Abstract

Cocoons of the U.S. strain and the Korean strain of the gypsy moth, Lyinantria dispar (L.), primary parasitoid, Cotesia melanoscela (Ratzeburg), were placed at 3 sites in Maryland to examine the hyperparasitoid community that use the cocoons. The Korean strain produces a larger silk halo surrounding the cocoon that may provide protection against parasitism by individual species in the hyperparasitoid community which is not available to the U.S. strain. There were differences in species composition of the hyperparasitoid community among sites, but not between strains at a single site. There was little or no difference in measurements of the hyperparasitoid communities (species richness, percentage of niche use, species diversity, and species evenness) attacking the U.S. and Korean strains. The extended halo associated with the Korean strain cocoons does not appear to offer any additional protection against parasitism by the hyperparasitoid community present at these sites.