Host identity and quality drive parasitoid fitness and have implications for biocontrol

Augmentative biocontrol depends on mass-rearing high-quality parasitoids. Host size and quality directly affect parasitoid fitness and effectiveness, making the identification of suitable hosts essential for successful pest control.
This study assessed the influence of two pyralid hosts on the fitness of Venturia canescens (Gravenhorst) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), an endoparasitoid of the carob moth Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) utilizing the natural host, E. ceratoniae, and an alternative host, the Mediterranean flour moth Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).
A type II functional response was observed on larval stages of both hosts, indicating similar behavioral responses of emergent parasitoids to host density. No significant differences were found for attack rates, handling times, or life history and morphological traits between hosts.  However, host stage significantly affected these parameters, with the L5 stage producing parasitoids ..., , # Host identity and quality drive parasitoid fitness and have implications for biocontrol

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.18931zd94](10.5061/dryad.18931zd94)

## Description of the data and file structure

The file is a data set raw file, containing functional responses data sets and parasitoid fitness collected data

### File: fr_venturia.xlsx

This dataset contains results from experiments evaluating the functional response, larval development, fecundity, and longevity of parasitoid wasps reared on different host larval instars. The dataset consists of four worksheets. For each worksheet, the variables (columns), their definitions, and units of measurement are fully described below.

#### **Functional Response**

**Content:**\
This worksheet reports the number of host larvae parasitized by female parasitoids across a range of host-density treatments. Each row corresponds to a single replicate within a given density treatment.

**Columns and Definitions:**

* **Host_species**: Host specie...,