Angewandte Zoologie / Ökologie der Tiere, Institut für Biologie, Freie Universität Berlin Haderslebener Str 9, 12163 Berlin, Germany.
The presented study examines current theories on the use of chemical cues by generalist parasitoids employing the pteromalid wasp Lariophagus distinguendus. This parasitoid is a generalist that parasitises larvae and pupae of at least 11 beetle species from 5 families that mostly develop in seeds of different plants. The host recognition behaviour towards cues from different plant-host complexes, including a non-host, was examined at different levels of experience. In comparative chemical analyses combined with behavioural experiments chemicals mediating host recognition behaviour were identified. The study revealed the existence of innate chemical cues common for all investigated plant-host complexes that might explain the broad host range of L. distinguendus.