Tri‐trophic interactions among Fopius arisanus, Tephritid species and host plants suggest apparent competition

When several polyphagous herbivore species share a parasitoid, the tri‐trophic interaction networks can be difficult to predict. In addition to direct effects, the parasitoid may influence the herbivore community by mediating indirect interactions among hosts. The plant species can also modulate the parasitoid preference for a specific host. One of the indirect effects is apparent competition, a negative interaction between individuals as a result of the action of shared natural enemies. Here, we focus on the interactions between the parasitoid Fopius arisanus (Braconidae) and two generalist fruit fly pests: Bactrocera dorsalis and Bactrocera zonata (Tephritidae). This parasitoid was introduced into La Réunion in 2003 to control populations of B. zonata and can also interact with B. dorsalis since its invasion in 2017. Our main objective is to characterize the tri‐trophic interactions between F. arisanus, fruit fly and host plant species. We developed a long‐term field database of fruit collected before and after the parasitoid introduction and after the B. dorsalis invasion in order to compare parasitism rate and fruit fly infestation for the different periods. In laboratory assays, we investigated how the combination of fruit fly species and fruit can influence the preference of F. arisanus. In the field, before the invasion of B. dorsalis, the parasitism rate of F. arisanus was low and had a little impact on the fruit fly infestation rate. After the B. dorsalis invasion, we observed an increase in parasitism rate from 5% to 17%. A bioassay showed that females of F. arisanus could discriminate between eggs of different fruit fly and host plant species. The host plant species preference changed in relation to the fruit fly species inoculated. Field observations and laboratory experiments suggest the possible existence of apparent competition between B. dorsalis and B. zonata via F. arisanus.