Host-plant related effects on host feeding, parasitism and sex ratio of Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood) (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) attacking Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) (Diptera, Agromyzidae) leafminer

Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) (Agromyzidae, Diptera) was the most prevalent on crops infested with leafminers in Jordan, as it was recorded on twelve economic vegetable crops. We investigated the plant-mediated effects on the host feeding, egg laying, parasitism and adult emergence of Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood) (Eulophidae, Hymenoptera) parasitizing L. huidobrensis larvae on seven vegetables. Results showed that the highest percentage of parasitoid feeding on L. huidobrensis larvae was on bean leaves (9.7%). The lowest percentages of parasitoid host-feeding were on the leaves of white-flowered gourd (4.5%) and eggplant (4.3%) plants. For egg laying, N. formosa females significantly preferred potato (57.7% of parasitism) and bean (46.6% of parasitism) plants. The lowest rates of parasitism occurred on eggplant (17%) and white-flowered gourd (22.3%). The full percentage of adult parasitoid emergence was in bean and broad bean. All plant hosts showed a significant superiority in the parasitoids emergence over eggplant (92.9%) and tomato (85.7%). The highest percentages of emerged parasitoid females were on potato (75%) and the lowest percentage was on eggplant (52%).