Drosophila parasitoid–host interactions: vibrotaxis and ovipositor searching from the host's perspective

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Abstract
Two strains of Drosophila differing in host movement were simultaneously offered to a female parasitoid of either Leptopilina heterotoma or Asobara tabida. The number of encounters with the moving and nonmoving host strains was independent of larval movement forL. heterotoma whereas a highly significant effect of movement was found for A. tabida. This increased encounter rate of A. tabida with moving larvae resulted from the interaction of this parasitoid's searching strategy (vibrotaxis) and the polymorphic behaviour of the hosts. We conclude that differences in searching mode of two parasitoids of Drosophila larvae, A. tabida and L. heterotoma, can influence individual host susceptibility.