Screening insectary refugia plants that increase the performance of Diadegma semiclausum Hellen (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) against diamondback moth larvae

Asmoro PP, Dadang, Pudjianto, Winasa IW. 2021. Screening insectary refugia plants that increase the performance of Diadegma semiclausum Hellen (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) against diamondback moth larvae. Biodiversitas 22: 4254-4260. Habitat manipulation through the planting of insectary refugia plants is one way of controlling pests. These refugia plants serve as the source of nutrients that improve the fitness of parasitoid against insect pests. In the cabbage agroecosystem, the presence of refugia plants is expected to benefit the parasitoid D. semiclausum. This study aimed to select insectary refugia plants beneficial for the D. semiclausum in term of attracting and increasing their longevity, and parasitization ability against P. xylostella larvae. Ten species of refugia plants were used in this study, i.e., Ageratum conyzoides, Galinsoga parviflora, Sphagneticola trilobata, Synedrella nodiflora, Portulaca oleracea, Rorippa indica, Brassica rapa, Apium graveolens, Ocimum basilicum, and Arachis pintoi. The methods used in this study included testing the response of the imago olfactory to refugia plants and its effect on the longevity and parasitization level. The results showed that of the ten species of investigated, R. indica and A. graveolens were the most attractive for the presence of parasitoids. The two refugia plants could also increase the longevity and parasitization rate compared to the water treatment. R. indica and A. graveolens are recommended as refuge plants in the cabbage agroecosystems to control P. xylostella.

Short Communication: Silba adipata (Diptera: Lonchaeidae) parasitoids on cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens) in Bali, Indonesia

Yuliadhi KA, Supartha IW, Darmiati NN, Bangun A, Yudha IKW, Utama IWEK, Wiradana PA. 2021. Silba adipata (Diptera: Lonchaeidae) parasitoids on cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens) in Bali, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 3929-3935. The black fig fly (Silba adipata) is newly emerging pests that attack cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) plants in Bali Province, Indonesia. This study aimed to determine the parasitoid type, community structure, distribution, and parasitization rate of the parasitoids of S. adipata on cayenne pepper in Bali. The sampling method employed in this study involves purposive sampling techniques on 100-150 pieces of cayenne pepper infested with S. adipata at each location point, with the emerging parasitoids identified morphologically. Three types of parasitoid species were associated with S. adipata, which include Asobara japonica Belokobylskij, Fopius arisanus (Sonan), and Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead). The parasitoid community structure associated with S. adipata had a low abundance index, low diversity index, and a moderate dominance index. Based on the distribution of the three parasitoids, D. longicaudata is distributed evenly in Bali, whereas F. arisanus was not found in Jembrana . Conversely, A. japonica was only found in Badung, Bangli, Gianyar, and Klungkung. As summary, D. laungicaudata had the highest parasitization rate compared to the F. arisanus and A. japonica. D. longicaudata is a potential parasitoid, which can be studied for the future biological control of S. adipata.

Old Parasitoids for New Mealybugs: Host Location Behavior and Parasitization Efficacy of Anagyrus vladimiri on Pseudococcus comstocki

The Comstock mealybug, Pseudococcus comstocki (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a primary pest of orchards in the North and Northwest of China. This pest appeared recently in Europe, including Italy, where it is infesting mainly vineyards as well as apple and pear orchards. The present study investigated the efficacy of Anagyrus vladimiri, a known biological control agent (BCA) of Planococcus ficus, on P. comstocki to evaluate a potential use for the management of this new pest. No-choice tests were conducted to quantify the parasitoid behavior against P. ficus and P. comstocki. The parasitoid successfully parasitized both species (parasitization rate: 51% and 67% on P. comstocki and P. ficus, respectively). The A.vladimiri developmental time (19.67 ± 1.12 vs. 19.70 ± 1.07 days), sex ratio (1.16 ± 1.12 vs. 1.58 ± 1.07) and hind tibia length of the progeny showed no differences when P. comstocki and P. ficus, respectively, were exploited as hosts. Two-choice tests, conducted by providing the parasitoid with a mixed population of P. ficus and P. comstocki, showed no host preference for either of the two mealybug species (23 vs. 27 first choices on P. comstocki and P. ficus, respectively). The parasitization rate (61.5% and 64.5% in P. comstocki and P. ficus, respectively) did not differ between the two hosts. Overall, our study adds basic knowledge on parasitoid behavior and host preferences and confirms the use of this economically important encyrtid species as an effective BCA against the invasive Comstock mealybug.

Zoophagous entomofauna and entomopathogenic agents reported on Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) in north-western of Romania

In Europe, the box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) was first reported in 2006, in southwestern Germany, then spread to almost all countries. Larvae of this species affect the aesthetic value of the box tree. In the last period, numerous studies were carried out regarding the identification of useful entomofauna that reduce the numerical density of the population of Cydalima perspectalis. In this study conducted in north-western Romania (Cluj County, in 2019), entomopathogens and useful entomofauna were monitored in four areas, represented by four cities. The entomopathogenic agents contaminated the larvae of the box tree moth in a proportion of 5.6% at Gherla, 6.8% at Dej, 8.7% at Cluj-Napoca and 15.3% at Ciucea. Most larvae have been infected with Bacillus. At Cluj-Napoca and Ciucea, the presence of the larval endoparasite Exorista larvarum L. (Diptera: Tachinidae) was reported. Parasitoid species determined a parasitization rate of 5.1% at Dej, 8.6% at Gherla and 13.4% at Cluj-Napoca. Predators affected pupae in a proportion of 3.8% at Gherla, 4.2% at Dej and 16% at Cluj-Napoca. Among the pupae predators, for the first-time common earwig was reported, Forficula auricularia L. Entomopathogenic agents affected 5.3% of the pupae collected from Cluj-Napoca, 7.7% in Gherla and 12.5% in Dej. During the monitoring period of the zoophagous entomofauna and the entomopathogenic microorganisms, affected the pupae in a percentage of 20.1% in Gherla, 21.8% in Dej, 34.7% in Cluj-Napoca, contributing to the diminution of the population of the harmful species.

Response of parasitoids to invasive pest Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on cassava crop in Bali, Indonesia

Supartha IW, Yudha IKW, Wiradana PA, Susila IW. 2020. Response of parasitoids to invasive pest Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on cassava crop in Bali, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 4543-4549. Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is an invasive pest that entered Indonesia in 2010 and attacks cassava plants, especially in Bali Province. This study aimed to identify species and establish the population distribution mapping, community structures (diversity, abundance, and dominance), and parasitization rate on cassava crops in Bali. This study conducted with a field observation method by taking infested shoots of cassava plants by P. manihoti purposively in the field. The cassava mealybug that was present in the leaves or shoots were kept in the laboratory until the parasitoid appeared. The results showed that four species of parasitoids were found to respond to invasive pest, namely Anagyrus lopezi (Encyrtidae), Acerophagus sp. (Encyrtidae), Blepyrus sp. (Encyrtidae) and Encarsia sp. (Aphelinidae). Structurally the parasitoid community had a low abundance (R1 = 0.50–0.87) and low diversity index value (H'= 0.27-0.28). While the parasitoid dominance index was in the moderate category with a value D = 0.33–0.59 in Bangli, Klungkung, Badung, Tabanan, and Buleleng Districts. But it had high dominance index values in Gianyar, Denpasar, Jembrana, and Karangasem Districts with a value D = 0.62-0.72. The three species of parasitoid spread evenly in all districts and cities in Bali according to the host distribution map, namely P. manihoti on cassava crop. The four parasitoids showed varying parasitic levels in the field with the highest parasitization rate was A. lopezi followed by Acerophagus sp., Blepyrus sp., and Encarsia sp.

Palaearctic Egg Parasitoids Interaction to Three Grapevine Exotic Pests in Northwestern Italy: A New Association Involving Metcalfa pruinosa

The most important exotic leafhopper pests currently affecting the Italian vineyards are the leafhoppers Scaphoideus titanus, Orientus ishidae and the planthopper Metcalfa pruinosa. Their highest population density is detected in the uncultivated areas with wild grapevines. Should these habitats be considered only a problem or a potential resource for Palearctic entomophagy of these three exotic pests? The aim of this work was to study the biotopes and biocoenosis present in the Piedmontese vineyard agroecosystem, evaluating the parasitization rate and other crucial aspects for a possible application in biological control. Several specimens of egg-parasitoid wasps were obtained from filed-collected two-year-old grapevine canes. The most prevalent one belonged to the Oligosita collina group (Trichogrammatidae) emerged only from M. pruinosa eggs with a parasitization rate of over 40%. The new association is the first report of such a high level of parasitization on the flatid planthopper. The parasitization rate mainly relied on the host egg density and the abundance of plants suitable for the oviposition. A second parasitoid generation on the overwintering eggs is discussed, as well as other hypothesis. Furthermore, the parasitization rate was higher than the one showed by the dryinid Neodryinus typhlocybae, the control agent introduced in Italy under the biological control strategy, highlighting a possible implication in this biocoenosis. We assume that the egg parasitoid adaptation may contribute to M. pruinosa control.

Biology and Prevalence in Northern Italy of Verrallia aucta (Diptera, Pipunculidae), a Parasitoid of Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae), the Main Vector of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe

The meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (L.) (Hemiptera Aphrophoridae), the main vector of Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. in Europe, has few known natural enemies. The endoparasitoid Verrallia aucta (Fallén) (Diptera, Pipunculidae) was first noticed a long time ago but very little is known about its biology and prevalence. In this study, the presence and prevalence of V. aucta were investigated in different regions of northern Italy, both in plain–foothill and montane zones. Parasitic larvae were identified by the dissection of spittlebug adults, P. spumarius and Neophilaenus campestris (Fallén), and by a new species-specific molecular tool targeting the ITS2 and COI genomic regions, developed in this work. A small-scale rearing was set up to gain information on the life cycle of V. aucta on its main host P. spumarius. During the four-year investigation (2016–2019) the pipunculid parasitoid displayed low prevalence, reaching a maximum parasitization rate of 17.5% (calculated over the adult spittlebug season) in vineyards of the Piemonte region. Over the whole period, no significant difference in the prevalence was found between male and female spittlebugs. Collected data and rearing observations suggest that V. aucta is monovoltine and synchronous with P. spumarius, laying eggs in newly emerged adults, developing as an endoparasitoid through two larval stages during the whole summer, and overwintering as a pupa in the soil.

Jenis dan Peranan Parasitoid dalam Mengendalikan Populasi Lalat Buah (Bactrocera dorsalis Complex.) (Diptera: Tephritidae) yang Menyerang Buah Mangga (Mangifera indica L) di Kabupaten Buleleng

The Role of parasitoid in controlling the population of fruit flies (Bactrocera dorsalis Complex.) (Diptera: Tephritidae) who attacked mangoes (Mangifera indica L) in Buleleng Regency. Thisresearch was conducted with the aim of knowing the role of parasitoids in controlling the population of fruit flies (Bactrocera dorsalis Complex.) (Diptera: Tephritidae) on mango plants (Mangifera indica L.) in Buleleng Regency. Field research was carried out at the Buleleng mango plantations while laboratory research was carried out at the Integrated Pest Management and Plant Disease Laboratory from April to July 2019.Field research was carried out at the Buleleng mango plantations while laboratory research was carried out at the Integrated Pest Management laboratory and was carried out from April to July 2019. Determination of the location of sampling is done diagonally and fruits infested larvae was taken purposively. The results showed that there were three species of fruit flies that attacked mango in Buleleng Regency, namely B. carambolae, B. papayae and B. occipitalis with an abundance of B. carambolae 39.3%, B. papayae 64.4% and B. occipitalis 0.3% and found three types of parasitoids namely Fopius sp, Diachasmimorpha sp. and Opius sp. The role of parasitoids in controlling fruit flies is still low when viewed from the parasitization rate of the three parasitoids namely Fopius sp. (2,24%), Diachasmimorpha sp. (1,9%), and Opius sp. (0,46%).

Kelimpahan Populasi dan Tingkat Parasitisasi Parasitoid Indigenus terhadap Hama Invasif Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) pada Tanaman Asteraceae di Bali

Population Abundance and Parasitization Level of Indigenous Parasites to Invasive Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) on Asteraceae Plants in Bali. This study was aimed to determine the population abundance and parasitization level of indigenous parasitoid associated with Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) in Asteraceae plants in Bali. The study was conducted from January to March 2019 by survey method on the type of parasitoid, abundance and parasitisation level in Asteraceae plants which included to Chrysanthemum, Gerbera jamesonii and Helianthus annuus, which are spread in several regencies in Bali such as Buleleng (1200 m asl), Bangli (900-1000 m asl) and Denpasar (40 m asl). Sampling was done purposively on the leaves of plants attacked by Liriomyza sp. and then maintained at the Laboratory until the parasitoid adults appeared. Afterward, morphologically was identified the type of parasitoid that appears. The results showed that there were three types of indigenous parasitoid associated with L. trifolii namely Hemiptarsenus varicornis, Neochrysocharis okazakii, and Opiusdissitus. The most dominant parasitoid of the three types of H. varicornis parasitoid with an abundance of 78.57% and parasitization rate of 53.23% was found in Chrysanthemum plants.

Life History and Host Preference of Trichopria drosophilae from Southern China, One of the Effective Pupal Parasitoids on the Drosophila Species

This study aims to evaluate several life-history traits of a T. drosophilae population from southern China and its parasitic preference of three Drosophila species. For mated T. drosophilae females, the mean oviposition and parasitization period were 27.20 and 37.80 d, respectively. The daily mean parasitization rate was 59.24% per female and the lifetime number of emerged progeny was 134.30 per female. Trichopria drosophilae females survived 37.90 and 71.61 d under host-provided and host-deprived conditions, respectively. To assess the potential for unmated reproduction in T. drosophilae, the mean oviposition and parasitization period of unmated females was 22.90 and 47.70 d, respectively. They had a daily mean parasitization rate of 64.68%, produced a total of 114.80 offspring over their lifetime, and survived 52 d. Moreover, T. drosophilae showed a preference towards D. suzukii based on the total number of emerged offspring under a choice test. Our findings indicate that T. drosophilae from southern China appears to be suitable for the control of D. suzukii in invaded areas, due to its reproductive potential.