Sublethal impact of paraquat on the life span and parasitic behavior of Diaeretiella rapae M'Intosh

This study focuses on assessing the impact of sublethal doses of paraquat on the survival, the emergence, the life span and the
parasitic behavior of Diaeretiella rapae M’Intosh (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). The impact of sublethal doses was measured at room
temperature using different densities of the cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae. The results reveal that the field dose of paraquat
caused 100% mortality in D. rapae. The percentage emergence of D. rapae decreased from 80.5% in the control group to 71.5%
when treated with the lowest concentration of paraquat. Similarly, the life span of parasitoids that emerged from the mummy treated
with paraquat also decreased significantly. Oviposition capability and ovipositor thrusting frequency of D. rapae also treated with
sublethal dose paraquat decreased significantly along with a shortened patch residence time in the foraging area.