Using the stable isotope marker 13 C to study extrafloral nectar uptake by parasitoids under controlled conditions and in the field

• Published in: Entomologia experimentalis et applicata 2016-11, Vol.161 (2), p.131-140
• Main Authors: Pollier, Anna, Dosdat, Simon, Tricault, Yann, Bischoff, Armin, Plantegenest, Manuel, Jaloux, Bruno
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0013-8703; 1570-7458
• DOI: 10.1111/eea.12495

Parasitic wasps are prominent natural enemies of crop pests. They usually feed on floral resources during the adult stage (nectar, pollen, or honeydew). Extrafloral nectar is an alternative source of sugar easily accessible to adult parasitoids. We developed an original method of nectar labelling based on the injection of labelled sugar solution into the plant stem in order to analyse the nectar uptake by parasitoids (cotton wick method). This method was used to artificially enrich extrafloral cornflower, C entaurea cyanus L. ( A steraceae), nectar with the stable isotope 13 C. We analysed (1) the transfer of 13 C from the sugar solution into extrafloral nectaries, (2) the uptake of labelled nectar by parasitoids under laboratory conditions, and (3) the ability of the method to discriminate, in an oilseed rape ( B rassica napus L., B rassicaceae) field, between labelled parasitoids (i.e., those who have fed on labelled cornflowers located adjacent to the field) and unlabelled parasitoids to track parasitoid movements from the margin into the field. The extrafloral nectar of all test plants was 13 C‐labelled. Most (66%) of the parasitoids were identified as marked after 96 h of exposure to labelled plants in the laboratory. We could also detect labelled parasitoids inside the field, but the detection rate was only 1%. The experiments clearly demonstrate that the cotton wick method is appropriate to label extrafloral nectar and parasitoids feeding on this labelled nectar. Further research is needed on the amount of labelled extrafloral nectar required to obtain a sufficient marker level to track parasitoid movements in the field.