scholarly journals First evidence of Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) parasitization in Finnish castor bean ticks (Ixodes ricinus)

2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 395-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jani Jukka Sormunen ◽  
Ella Sippola ◽  
Kari Mikael Kaunisto ◽  
Eero Juhani Vesterinen ◽  
Ilari Eerikki Sääksjärvi
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Ixodes Ricinus ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Northern Europe ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Ixodiphagus Hookeri ◽  
The Status ◽  
Initial Discovery

AbstractIxodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is a parasitoid wasp specialized in parasitizing the larvae and nymphs of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). As parasitized ticks die prior to reproduction, I. hookeri is seen as a prime biological control agent candidate. Despite this, little is known of their occurrence or ecology in northern Europe. The main aim of the current study was to determine whether adult wasps or parasitized ticks can be found from a tick-infested island in southwestern Finland, using field collections and molecular methods. Following the initial discovery of an adult I. hookeri female on Seili Island, we set out to collect further specimens via sweep netting and Malaise trappings between May and October 2017. Furthermore, 1310 Ixodes ricinus (1220 nymphs, 90 adults) collected from the island during 2012–2014 were screened for I. hookeri DNA using qPCR. Whereas no further wasp specimens could be collected via sweep netting or Malaise trappings, I. hookeri DNA was consistently detected in I. ricinus nymphs (annual minimum infection rates in 2012, 2013, and 2014: 2.3, 0.4, and 0.5%, respectively), whereas all adult samples were negative. Although the annually repeated detections of parasitized ticks suggest that the wasp inhabits the island, further field and molecular surveys are needed to more comprehensively determine the status and stability of the population.

scholarly journals Unexpected parasitism of Douglas-fir seed chalcid limits biocontrol options for invasive Douglas-fir in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-77
Author(s):  
Sonia Lee ◽  
Simon V. Fowler ◽  
Claudia Lange ◽  
Lindsay A. Smith ◽  
Alison M. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Seed Predator ◽  
High Level

Douglas-fir seed chalcid (DFSC) Megastigmus spermotrophus, a small (3 mm long) host-specific seed-predatory wasp, was accidentally introduced into New Zealand in the 1920s. Concern over DFSC reducing Douglas-fir seed production in New Zealand led to an attempt at biocontrol in 1955 with the release, but failed establishment, of the small (2.5 mm long) parasitoid wasp, Mesopolobus spermotrophus. We investigated why DFSC causes little destruction of Douglas-fir seed in New Zealand (usually <20%) despite the apparent absence of major natural enemies. Douglas-fir seed collections from 13 New Zealand sites yielded the seed predator (DFSC) but also potential parasitoids, which were identified using morphology and partial COI DNA sequencing. DFSC destroyed only 0.15% of Douglas-fir seed. All parasitoids were identified as the pteromalid wasp, Mes. spermotrophus, the host-specific biocontrol agent released in 1955. Total parasitism was 48.5%, but levels at some sites approached 90%, with some evidence of density-dependence. The discovery of the parasitoid Mes. spermotrophus could indicate that the biocontrol agent released in 1955 did establish after all. Alternatively, Mes. spermotrophus could have arrived accidentally in more recent importations of Douglas-fir seed. The high level of parasitism of DFSC by Mes. spermotrophus is consistent with DFSC being under successful biological control in New Zealand. Suppression of DFSC populations will benefit commercial Douglas-fir seed production in New Zealand, but it also represents the likely loss of a potential biological control agent for wilding Douglas-fir.

scholarly journals Psix striaticeps (Dodd) (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae): an Old World parasitoid of stink bug eggs arrives in Florida, USA

2021 ◽  
Vol 87 ◽  
pp. 503-521
Author(s):  
Sarah Birkmire ◽  
Cory Penca ◽  
Elijah J. Talamas ◽  
Matthew R. Moore ◽  
Amanda C. Hodges
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Egg Parasitoid ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
Stink Bug ◽  
Stink Bugs ◽  
Old World ◽  
Piezodorus Guildinii

Psix striaticeps (Dodd) is an egg-parasitoid wasp previously known only from the Old World. We report this species from twelve counties in Florida, which are the first records in the Western Hemisphere. It was collected in yellow cylinder traps and reared from the eggs of three stink bug species: Nezara viridula L., Chinavia marginata (Palisot de Beauvois), and Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood). A COI barcode analysis found a 100% match between the Floridian population and a specimen from South Africa. The prospects of using Ps. striaticeps as a biological control agent against exotic stink bugs are discussed.

scholarly journals Comparison of the toxicity and repellency of two conventional neonicotinoids and a coconut-derived insecticide soap toward the parasitoid wasp Aphelinus mali Haldeman, 1851

2020 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Asgar EBADOLLAHI ◽  
Reza SADEGHI
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Exposure Time ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Eriosoma Lanigerum ◽  
Woolly Apple Aphid ◽  
Aphelinus Mali ◽  
The World ◽  
Filter Papers

<p><strong></strong>The parasitoid wasp <em>Aphelinus mali</em>,Haldeman, 1851 (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is the most important biological control agent against the woolly apple aphid,<em> Eriosoma lanigerum</em> (Hausemann, 1802) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), which is an important apple orchards pest throughout the world. Based on the importance of using low-risk compounds to protect beneficial agents, the present study was carried out to evaluate the toxic and repellent effects of two conventional chemicals (imidacloprid and thiacloprid) and coconut-derived biopesticide soap (Palizin<sup>Ò</sup>) toward <em>A. mali</em>. The results of residual bioassays on apple leaf discs indicated that imidacloprid after 24 h and insecticide soap after 72 h exposure time categorized at the highest and no/little toxicity rates, respectively. Ingestion bioassays on filter papers revealed that imidacloprid and thiacloprid had moderate toxicity rate, while insecticide soap had a low-level toxicity rate. Repellency test at Y-tube olfactometer showed that the repellent effects of both chemicals were more than that of insecticide soap. It is concluded that coconut-derived soap was compatible with the parasitoid activity, and the caution should be paid when including the two neonicotinoid insecticides imidacloprid and thiacloprid for <em>E. lanigerum</em> management.</p>

scholarly journals A Neonicotinoid Affects the Mating Behavior of Spalangia endius (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), a Biological Control Agent of Filth Flies

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 489-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aspen N Kremer ◽  
Bethia H King
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Mating Behavior ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Sublethal Effect ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Male Preference ◽  
Spalangia Endius ◽  
Fly Control

Abstract Spalangia endius Walker is a parasitoid wasp that is commercially available as a biological control agent for filth fly pests in livestock-rearing operations. Imidacloprid is often used to control these flies. The present study examined the sublethal effect of field-realistic concentrations of imidacloprid on mating behavior, offspring sex ratios, and male preference for virgin females. After exposure to imidacloprid, S. endius females that survived were less likely to mate than control females, which will result in male-biased sex ratios because only mated females can produce daughters. Males did not avoid exposed females, but exposed females were almost always unreceptive. Males that survived exposure to imidacloprid exhibited reduced mating competitiveness against unexposed males. However, if an exposed male mated, his mate’s sex ratio and ability to control flies was unaffected. Exposed males were also still able to discriminate against mated, and thus usually unreceptive, females. Together with previous studies, these results suggest that not only does imidacloprid reduce the ability of S. endius females to survive and parasitize hosts, but when an exposed female does survive and parasitize hosts, she is likely to produce just sons, because of her lack of receptivity. More-male-biased populations of S. endius will decrease their efficacy for fly control. Thus, the use of imidacloprid along with this parasitoid may be financially inefficient for pest management.

scholarly journals  Gryon aetherium Talamas (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae): Parasitoid of Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) Adventive in Chile

2021 ◽  
Vol 87 ◽  
pp. 493-501
Author(s):  
N. Rocío Rojas-Gálvez ◽  
Elijah Talamas ◽  
Marta V. Albornoz ◽  
M. Fernanda Flores ◽  
Wilson Barros-Parada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
South America ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Stink Bug ◽  
Taxonomic Treatment ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data

A parasitoid wasp, Gryon aetherium Talamas (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae), was reared from eggs of the invasive stink bug Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) in Chile. The identification of G. aetherium, which is under study as a biological control agent, was made with morphological and molecular data in the context of a recent taxonomic treatment of this species. The presence of an adventive population of G. aetherium in South America has implications for biological control of B. hilaris in Chile, and other countries on the continent, where this stink bug may become a pest.

scholarly journals Evidence for a cryptic parasitoid species reveals its suitability as a biological control agent

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Lukas Seehausen ◽  
Nicolas Ris ◽  
Laetitia Driss ◽  
Alessandro Racca ◽  
Pierre Girod ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Spotted Wing Drosophila ◽  
Drosophila Suzukii ◽  
Crossing Experiments ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Control Programs

Abstract Uncertainty about the taxonomic status and the specificity of a species commonly prevent its consideration as a candidate for biological control of pest organisms. Here we use a combination of molecular analysis and crossing experiments to gather evidence that the parasitoid wasp Ganaspis brasiliensis, a candidate for biological control of the invasive spotted wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii, is a complex of at least two cryptic species. Complementary experiments demonstrate that individuals from one genetic group readily parasitize several drosophila species regardless of their food source while individuals from the other one are almost exclusively specific to larvae feeding in ripening fruits. Because only D. suzukii attacks ripening fruits in its area of invasion, parasitoids from this second group appear to be well suited as a biological control agent. Our study demonstrates the need for a combination of biosystematics with biological and ecological investigations for the development of safe and efficient biological control programs.

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