The thelytokous strain of the parasitoid Neochrysocharis formosa outperforms the arrhenotokous strain in reproductive capacity and biological control of agromyzid leafminers.

BACKGROUND: Both arrhenotoky (sexual reproduction of females and asexual reproduction of males) and thelytoky (asexual reproduction of females) occur within the order Hymenoptera. The existence of both thelytokous and arrhenotokous strains within one species provides an opportunity to compare the biocontrol efficiency between two reproductive modes. The parasitoid Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) has thelytokous and arrhenotokous strains with sympatric distributions. This parasitoid is used to control invasive leafminers through feeding, stinging, and parasitization. To compare the biocontrol efficiency of the two strains, we analyzed life tables and host-killing parameters of these two strains reared on the leafminer Liriomyza sativae Blanchard using the age-stage, two-sex life table and the CONSUME-MSChart software. RESULTS: Our results showed that the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and net reproduction rate (R0 ) of the thelytokous strain were significantly higher than those of the arrhenotokous strain. The thelytokous females also performed better than the arrhenotokous females for the net host-feeding rate, net host-stinging rate, and net host-killing rate, but not the finite parasitism rate. Conclusively, the finite host-killing rate of the thelytokous strain (0.8720 ± 0.0516) was significantly higher than that of the arrhenotokous strain (0.5914 ± 0.0832). CONCLUSION: We concluded that thelytokous N. formosa is a better candidate as a biocontrol agent than arrhenotokous N. formosa to control leafminers. Our results shed light on how to choose a better biocontrol agent for integrated pest management (IPM) based on biological control, especially for co-occurring thelytokous and arrhenotokous parasitoids. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

African Platyplectrus Ferrire (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from Kenya, with description of nine new species.

Eleven species of Platyplectrus have been recorded from the Afrotropical region. Ch. Ferrire described nine species in 1941: two of them as Platyplectrus (P. capensis and P. ornatus) and seven under Euplectromorpha (Platyplectrus ausensis, P. brevicornis, P. kiambuensis, P. obscuratus, P. nitidiceps, P. striolata and Euplectromorpha variegata (not synonymized until the present paper)). Subsequently, P. meruensis was described by Delucchi (1962) and P. desertus by Yefremova (2008). To date, only one species, P. kiambuensis, has been recorded from Kenya. Recently, a wide-ranging survey and inventory project in Kenya raised this number to 18 species, nine of which are new and described herein: Platyplectrus albiclavatus sp. nov., P. kayaensis sp. nov., P. marenjeensis sp. nov., P. mrimaensis sp. nov., P. ngangaoensis sp. nov., P. nyambeneensis sp. nov., P. nyanzaensis sp. nov., P. pseudoornatus sp. nov., and P. pyrrhomaculatus sp. nov. Three species are redescribed: two for both sexes (P. meruensis, P. obscuratus) and one for females (P. ornatus). A new combination is proposed for Platyplectrus striolatus (Ferrire) from Euplectromorpha striolata Ferrire, 1941, and Euplectromorpha variegata Ferrire, 1941 is synonymized with Platyplectrus nigroflaveatus Yefremova, and the female is redescribed. A key to the genus Platyplectrus is provided for the 18 species found in Kenya.

Morphological and molecular identification of arrhenotokous strain of Diglyphuswani (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) found in China as a control agent against agromyzid leafminers.

Diglyphus species are ecologically and economically important on agromyzid leafminers. In 2018, a thelytokous species, Diglyphuswani Liu, Zhu & Yefremova, was firstly reported and described. Subsequently, the arrhenotokous D.wani were discovered in Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces of China. We compared the morphological characteristics of thelytokous and arrhenotokous strains. However, the females of two strains had a strongly similar morphology and showed subtle differences in fore- and hind-wings. The difference was that forewing of arrhenotokous female was with denser setae overall, showing that costal cell with 2 ~ 4 rows of setae on dorsal surface and the setae of basal cell with 15 ~ 21 hairs and forewing of thelytokous female was with two rows of setae on dorsal surface and basal cell with 10 ~ 15 hairs generally. The setation beneath the marginal vein of the hind-wing of arrhenotokous female is denser than the same area of thelytokous female. To explore the genetic divergence between thelytokous and arrhenotokous strains of D.wani, the mitochondrial and nuclear gene were applied and sequenced. The polygenic analyses revealed that two strains can be distinguished by COI, ITS1 and ITS2. The mean sequence divergence between the two strains was 0.052, 0.010 and 0.007, respectively. Nevertheless, the 28S gene was unfeasible due to its containing a sharing haplotype between different strains. The two strains of D.wani are dominant parasitoids against agromyzid leafminers and such effective discernible foundation provides future in-depth studies on biological characteristics, along with insight into field application of two strains of D.wani.

Tachinobia repanda (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) From Egg Sacs of a Colonial Spider, Cyrtophora moluccensis (Araneae: Araneidae) in Papua New Guinea.

We report the discovery of the wasp Tachinobia repanda Boucek collected from egg sacs of the colonial spider Cyrtophora moluccensis (Doleschall) in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG) by Lubin, Y.D. in 1980. This is the first record of T. repanda from egg sacs of a colonial spider. The likely host of this eulophid wasp was the larvae of a sarcophagid fly that parasitizes the egg sacs of these spiders. The 67 T. repanda collected were all females and varied little in body size. We suggest that this species is a gregarious hyperparasitoid.

Aprostocetus chilophagae new species (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from South Dakota, with taxonomic notes on A. bromi (Kostjukov) and A. nebraskensis (Girault).

Aprostocetus chilophagae Yefremova and Yegorenkova, new species (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) is described from eastern South Dakota, U.S.A., and is reported as a parasitoid of the larva of Chilophaga virgati Gagné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), an ovule predator of Panicum virgatum. This new species is separated from sympatric A. bromi (Kostjukov) and A. nebraskensis (Girault) by structural morphology and host associations. Aprostocetus bromi was recently recognized from North America as an introduced species from Russia that is a primary parasitoid of the introduced ovule feeding gall midge Stenodiplosis bromicola Marikovskij and Agafonova (Cecidomyiidae) on the invasive grass Bromus inermis. Aprostocetus nebraskensis is a native species that is known as a parasitoid only from S. wattsi Gagné, also an ovule predator on the native prairie grasses Andropogon girardii, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Sorghastrum nutans. Trichacis rufipes Ashmead (Platygastridae) co-occurs with A. chilophagae new species on C. virgati, and a Centrodora sp. (Aphelinidae) may be a hyperparasitoid. The females of A. bromi and A. nebraskensis are redescribed and the males for each species are described for the first time.

Life history and biocontrol potential of the first female-producing parthenogenetic species of Diglyphus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) against agromyzid leafminers.

Diglyphus species are dominant biocontrol agents for suppressing outbreaks of agromyzid leafminers in fields. In July 2015, we collected a new thelytokous species of Diglyphus in Qinghai, China. The wasp is here named as D. wani Liu, Zhu & Yefremova sp. nov., based on morphological and molecular analyses. The life history and biocontrol potential of the wasp were studied in the laboratory and by providing Liriomyza sativae larvae. The intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase, and mean generation time were 0.2373 d-1, 1.2678 d-1, and 15.9 d, respectively. The wasps showed three types of host-killing behaviour, namely parasitism, host feeding and host stinging, resulting in 47.6, 94.4 and 3.4 host larvae killed per wasp over a lifetime, respectively. The finite total host-killing rate was 1.0071 and the wasp showed strong synovigeny. The wasp may be a crucial biocontrol agent against agromyzid leafminers.

A review of the family Eulophidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) of Egypt, with thirty three new records.

A checklist of Eulophidae (excluding Entiinae) is presented based primarily on a total of 155 specimens collected from 23 localities in Egypt during the period of April 2012 to June 2014, mostly by sweep net. Altogether, 55 species in 22 genera and 3 subfamilies (Entedoninae, Eulophinae and Tetrastichinae) are recorded, of which 6 genera (Dicladocerus Westwood, Euplectrus Westwood, Entedon Dalman, Neotrichoporoides Girault, Sigmophora Rondani and Sympiesis Förster) and 33 species (60%) are newly reported for Egypt. The valid name and world distribution of each species are given; local distributions and host records for species previously recorded from Egypt are also given. Most of the species have a distribution characterized as Palaearctic, Afrotropical, or Indo-Malayan. About 4% are cosmopolitan in distribution.

An annotated checklist of the Eulophidae (excl. Tetrastichinae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) of Israel.

An annotated checklist of Israeli Eulophidae, excluding Tetrastichinae, is presented based primarily on a total of 757 specimens collected since the 1970s from 70 localities in Israel mostly by Malaise traps, sweeping and rearing from hosts. Altogether, 127 species belonging to 35 genera are recorded, of which 82 species (65%) are newly reported for Israel. Valid names, distribution, and known hosts are given for each species. Two previously reported species are excluded from the fauna and one is considered as doubtful in the country. The most species-rich genera are Pediobius, with 14 species, and Elasmus, with 12 species. The most common species, comprising about half of the collected specimens, are Diglyphus isaea (Walker), Neochrysocharis formosus (Westwood), Sympiesis sericeicornis (Nees), Pediobius pyrgo (Walker) and Euderus albitarsis Zetterstedt. Three species are currently known only from Israel, Aulogymnus albipes (Askew), Elasmus aternalis Yefremova & Strakhova and Pediobius thysanopterus Burks. Hosts are reported for 17 species, of which 10 are new records. Most of the species (88%) have a vast area of distribution characterized as Palearctic, Holarctic, or even cosmopolitan.

First report of Dermatopelte Erdos & Novicky (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) from the Indo-Malayan realm, with descriptions of new species.

Four new species of Dermatopelte Erdos & Novicky (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), D. bavilucus n. sp., D. collis n. sp., D. hanoica n. sp. and D. heratyi n. sp., are described from the Indo-Malayan biogeographic realm, the first three based on females and the last on a male. While similar to previously described Nearctic and Palearctic species, these new species comprise a distinct species group defined by a stronger transverse pronotal carina and smooth propodeal median panels. The differences between Indo-Malayan, Nearctic, and Palearctic species of Dermatopelte are discussed, and a key to all species of the genus is provided.

The jumping plant-louse Diaphorina teucrii sp. nov. (Hemiptera, Liviidae) associated with Teucrium (Lamiaceae) and its parasitoid Tamarixia dorchinae sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) from the Negev desert, Israel.

Adults and immatures of Diaphorina teucrii sp. nov. (Hemiptera, Liviidae, Euphyllurinae) and adults of Tamarixia dorchinae sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae, Tetrastichinae) from Israel are described, diagnosed and illustrated. D. teucrii sp. nov. develops on Teucrium capitatum (Lamiaceae), representing a family which was previously not recorded as a psyllid host from Israel, and is parasitised by Tamarixia dorchinae sp. nov. Identification keys are provided for the Diaphorina and Tamarixia species occurring in Israel.

Karyotypes of parasitic wasps of the family Eulophidae (Hymenoptera) attacking leaf-mining Lepidoptera (Gracillariidae, Gelechiidae).

Karyotypes of eleven parasitoid species of the family Eulophidae were examined, namely, Chrysocharis laomedon (Walker, 1839) (2n = 10), Chrysocharis sp. aff. laomedon (n = 5, 2n = 10), Chrysocharis sp. aff. albipes (Ashmead, 1904) (2n = 12), Mischotetrastichus petiolatus (Erdös, 1961) (n = 6, 2n = 12), Minotetrastichus frontalis (Nees, 1834) (n = 5, 2n = 10), Cirrospilus pictus (Nees, 1834) (2n = 12), Hyssopus geniculatus (Hartig, 1838) (2n = 16), Sympiesis gordius (Walker, 1839) (2n = 12), S. sericeicornis (Nees, 1834) (2n = 12), Pnigalio agraules (Walker, 1839) (2n = 12 + 0-2B) and Pnigalio gyamiensis Myartseva & Kurashev, 1990 (2n = 12 + 0-6B) reared from Phyllonorycter acerifoliella (Zeller, 1839), Ph. apparella (Herrich-Schäffer, 1855), Ph. issikii (Kumata, 1963) (Gracillariidae) and Chrysoesthia sexguttella (Thunberg, 1794) (Gelechiidae). Chromosome sets of all species except P. agraules and P. gyamiensis were studied for the first time. B chromosomes were detected in the two latter species; in P. gyamiensis, the maximum number of B chromosomes represents the highest value known for parasitic wasps to date.

A new species of Tamarixia Mercet (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), parasitoid of Trioza aguacate Hollis & Martin (Hemiptera, Triozidae) in Mexico.

Tamarixia aguacatensis Yefremova, sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) is described from Mexico as a parasitoid of the avocado psyllid, Trioza aguacate Hollis & Martin (Hemiptera: Triozidae). Trioza aguacate is a serious pest of avocado, Persea americana Miller. A key to the species of Tamarixia Mercet in Mexico is given.

Evaluation of attractive toxic sugar bait (ATSB)-Barrier for control of vector and nuisance mosquitoes and its effect on non-target organisms in sub-tropical environments in Florida.

The efficacy of attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSB) with the active ingredient eugenol, an Environmental Protection Agency exempt compound, was evaluated against vector and nuisance mosquitoes in both laboratory and field studies. In the laboratory, eugenol combined in attractive sugar bait (ASB) solution provided high levels of mortality for Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Anopheles quadrimaculatus. Field studies demonstrated significant control: >70% reduction for Aedes atlanticus, Aedes. infirmatus, and Culex nigripalpus and >50% reduction for Anopheles crucians, Uranotaenia sapphirina, Culiseta melanura, and Culex erraticus three weeks post ATSB application. Furthermore, non-target feeding of six insect orders, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, and Orthoptera, was evaluated in the field after application of a dyed-ASB to flowering and non-flowering vegetation. ASB feeding (staining) was determined by dissecting the guts and searching for food dye with a dissecting microscope. The potential impact of ATSB on non-targets, applied on green non-flowering vegetation was low for all non-target groups (0.9%). However, application of the ASB to flowering vegetation resulted in significant staining of the non-target insect orders. This highlights the need for application guidelines to reduce non-target effects. No mortality was observed in laboratory studies with predatory non-targets, spiders, praying mantis, or ground beetles, after feeding for three days on mosquitoes engorged on ATSB. Overall, our laboratory and field studies support the use of eugenol as an active ingredient for controlling important vector and nuisance mosquitoes when used as an ATSB toxin. This is the first study demonstrating effective control of anophelines in non-arid environments which suggest that even in highly competitive sugar rich environments this method could be used for control of malaria in Latin American countries.

Control of Aedes albopictus with attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSB) and potential impact on non-target organisms in St. Augustine, Florida.

The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of bait stations and foliar applications containing attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSB) and eugenol to control Aedes albopictus. At the same time, the potential impact of these control methods was evaluated on non-target organisms. The study was conducted at five tire sites in St. Augustine, Florida. A. albopictus populations were significantly reduced with ATSB-eugenol applications applied directly to non-flowering vegetation and as bait stations compared with non-attractive sugar baits and control. The application of ATSB made to non-flowering vegetation resulted in more significant reductions of mosquito populations compared to the application of ATSB presented in a bait station. Over 5.5% of the non-targets were stained in the flowering vegetation application site. However, when the attractive sugar bait application was made to non-flowering vegetation or presented in bait stations, the impact on non-target insects was very low for all non-target orders as only 0.6% of the individual insects were stained with the dye from the sugar solutions, respectively. There were no significant differences between the staining of mosquitoes collected in flowering vegetation (206/1000) or non-flowering vegetation (242/1000) sites during the non-target evaluation. Our field studies support the use of eugenol as an active ingredient for controlling the dengue vector A. albopictus when used as an ATSB toxin and demonstrates potential use in sub-tropical and tropical environments for dengue control.

The preimaginal stages of Pnigalio gyamiensis Myartseva & Kurashev, 1990 (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), a parasitoid associated with Chrysoesthia sexguttella (Thunberg) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae).

The larval instars of Pnigalio gyamiensis Myartseva and Kurashev are described in detail for the first time. This species is a larval-pupal ectoparasitoid of Chrysoesthia sexguttella (Thunberg) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae), which forms leaf mines in the plant Chenopodium album L. (Caryophyllales: Amaranthaceae). The female of Pnigalio gyamiensis lays a single egg on the skin of the host larva or nearby it, without any significant preference for a particular variant. The presence of long hairs on its body provides the newly-hatched first larval instar with high mobility. Some peculiarities in this parasitoid-host relationship are described.

Reduction of mosquito biting pressure by timed-release 0.3% aerosolized geraniol.

We conducted a study to determine the degree of personal protection provided by the Terminix(®) ALLCLEAR(®) Mosquito Mister - Lantern Edition. This outdoor unit was operated to disperse an aerosolized aqueous 0.3% geraniol emulsion in timed-release intervals of 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 min. Human volunteers participated in landing catch experiments to test the effect of geraniol sprayed at pre-set time intervals, at two distances: (1) 18 ft (5.49 m), the maximum effective distance claimed by the manufacturer, and (2) 9 ft (2.74 m), half the effective distance from the unit. When aerosolized geraniol was dispensed, reductions in biting pressure (landing, probing and biting mosquitoes) of Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus, at all times and distances, were evident compared to dispensation of the water spray control. The degree of protection correlated well with the distance from the subject and the time interval of releases. The 5 min time interval mode reduced overall biting pressure by more than 90% at 9 ft (2.74 m) and 18 ft (5.49 m). Reduction of biting pressure in the 7.5 min mode was still well over 80% and even in the 10 min mode, overall protection was slightly above 80% at a distance of 9 ft. The lowest but still reasonable protection level was observed in the 10 min mode, at the periphery of the area the unit claims to protect (300 ft(2)), with a biting pressure reduction of approximately two-thirds.