<p> <i>Arundo donax</i> is a rhizomatous perennial grass that invades riparian habitats and replaces native riparian vegetation. The galling wasp, <i> Tetramesa romana</i> (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), was selected for evaluation as a biocontrol agent of <i>A. donax</i> in 2009. However, knowledge is scarce on which factors influence host selection and oviposition in <i> T. romana.</i> Through my observations I documented distinct behavioral steps preceding emergence leading to oviposition in <i>T. romana,</i> and elicited an investigatory response in <i>T. romana</i> from plant volatiles extracted from <i>A. donax.</i> My results indicated that <i>T. romana</i> does use a chemical cue as a factor in host selection, but it is likely not the result of a species-specific constituent. Evidence from my study revealed that <i>T. romana</i> may use a physical cue in selecting a host as well. <i>T. romana</i> preferred round glass rods over flat glass slides, indicating that shape is an important factor in host acceptance.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:10254696 |
| Date | 18 March 2017 |
| Creators | Macias, Raymond A. |
| Publisher | California State University, Long Beach |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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