The complete mitochondrial genome of Zaomma eriococci (hymenoptera: encyrtidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Zaomma eriococci (Ferrière, 1955) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was obtained through next-generation sequencing, making the first reported complete mitochondrial genome of the genus Zaomma. The mitochondrial genome is 15,648 bp in length and includes 37 classical eukaryotic mitochondrial genes along with an A + T rich region. All 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) initiate with typical ATN codons. Of these, 10 PCG genes terminate with TAA, while three terminate with TAG. Additionally, there are 22 tRNA genes, ranging in size from 62 to 70 bp. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed based on 13 PCGs, indicates that Z. eriococci is closely related to Tassonia gloriae. This mitochondrial genome will serve as a valuable molecular resource for species identification, genetic analysis, and comparative genomic studies of Z. eriococci, contributing to the growing collection of mitochondrial genomes within the family Encyrtidae.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Exoristobia philippinensis (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae) and phylogenetic analysis.

Exoristobia philippinensis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is a worldwide parasitic wasp. This work presents the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of E. philippinensis for the first time. The complete mitochondrial genome of E. philippinensis was sequenced and annotated, which was 15,751 bp in length, and encoded 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs). All 13 PCGs were initiated by the ATN (ATG, ATT, and ATA) codon, terminated with the stop codon TAA except for ND1 which ends with TAG. Phylogenetic analysis showed that E. philippinensis has a sister relationship with the genus Lamennaisia.

Hymenopteran parasitoids reared from European gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae).

We report the results of investigations 2010 through 2023 of hymenopteran parasitoids associated with gall midges in Europe. A total of 242 collections of gall midges were made, from each of which one to several parasitoid species emerged, resulting in ca. 200 recorded parasitoid species and 267 host-parasitoid interaction records. The parasitoid families involved were Eulophidae (63 species), Platygastridae (56 species), Torymidae (34 species), Pteromalidae (31 species), Ceraphronidae (5 species), Eupelmidae (4 species), Eurytomidae (2 species) and Encyrtidae (1 species). As many as 159 interactions are reported for the first time, significantly enlarging our knowledge of gall midge - parasitoid interactions on the species level. Even more interesting, 51 host records are for parasitoid species for which no host was previously known. Similarly, 28 species of gall midge are reported as host to named parasitoids for the first time. Additionally, 91 parasitoid records were the first for the country in question. Differences between the rearing methods applied and their suitability for recording species with contrasting life histories, are discussed.

Prospects for Biological Control of Macadamia Felted Coccid in Hawaii with Metaphycus macadamiae Polaszek & Noyes, a New Encyrtid Wasp Native to New South Wales, Australia.

Macadamia felted coccid (MFC), Acanthococcus ironsidei (Williams) (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae), was first discovered in 2005 on the Island of Hawaii. Host plants are restricted to Macadamia species, with Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche (Proteaceae) being grown in Hawaii for nut production. Approximately 6839 hectares macadamia nuts are harvested in Hawaii with an estimated farm value of USD 48.8 million (2019-2020 records). Exploration in Australia started in November 2013 for the evaluation of potential parasitoids being host specific for introduction into Hawaii. A dominant solitary endoparasitoid of MFC from New South Wales was discovered and described as Metaphycus macadamiae Polaszek & Noyes sp. n (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae: Encyrtinae). Biology and host specificity testing were conducted at the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Insect Containment Facility, on nine hemipteran and three lepidopteran eggs. Results indicated that M. macadamiae is host specific to MFC. There has been no evidence of parasitism or host feeding on any of the non-target insect hosts that were tested. Parasitoid emergence from the control (MFC) averaged 30.2% compared to 0% on non-target hosts. A low rate of parasitoid emergence in the laboratory (average 30.2%) and an increased rate of MFC nymphal mortality was due to adult feeding. Field parasitism reached up to 32.7% emergence in Alstonville, New South Wales, Australia. We report on the parasitoid performance in native Australia, rearing biology, host specificity testing, and the extant natural enemies associated with MFC in Hawaii. A petition to release this parasitoid for the biocontrol of MFC in Hawaii is pending. Once permitted for release, the colony will be shared with South African Mac Nut Association for their biocontrol program of this invasive pest. They will conduct their own testing before approval for release.

Eriogynapyretorum (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae) parasitoid species investigated in Fujian, China.

Eriogynapyretorum Westwood is a notorious defoliator of Camphoraofficinarum Nees that causes large economic and ecological losses in planted forests. To understand the importance of suppressing the population of E.pyretorum on natural parasitoids, a four-years investigation was conducted in the field. Four egg parasitoid species Ooencyrtuskuvanae Howard, Trichogrammachionis Ishii, Telenomus sp. and Anastatusdexingensis Sheng & Wang were captured in the wild. One of these is the dominant endoparasitoid species T.chionis, which has a quicker developmental time (8.33 d), more offspring (8.39/egg) and a greater parasitism rate (89.54%). With different elevation distributions, the parasitism rates for Kriechbaumerellalongiscutellaris Qian & He, Gregopimplahimalayensis (Cameron), Theroniadepressa (Gupta) and Xanthopimplakonowi (Krieger) were 17.29%, 2.10%, 4.23% and 0.83%, respectively. Female longevity (47.75 d), offspring (13.36/pupa) and sex ratio (1.16:1) were compared in four pupal parasitoids and K.longiscutellaris was the most abundant species of E.pyretorum in Fujian Province.

Effects of parasitism by a parasitoid wasp on the gut microbiota in a predaceous lady beetle host.

BACKGROUND: The gut microbiota has an intimate relationship with insect hosts and this relationship can become complicated with parasitic organisms being involved with the host. To date there has been limited evidence for the relevance of parasitism of the host by parasitoids to host gut microbiota, especially in host insect predators. Here, our study examined gut microbiotas in larvae of the predaceous lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata, in response to their parasitism by Homalotylus eytelweinii regarding the development progress of offspring parasitoids. RESULTS: Overall 58.5% of gut bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in the parasitized lady beetle were different from those in the unparasitized host. The phylum Proteobacteria abundance increased while Firmicutes decreased in parasitized hosts compared to the unparasitized. The abundance of genus Aeribacillus decreased substantially in the parasitized lady beetle across all stages of the offspring development compared to the unparasitized host. The α-diversity of the gut microbiota in a parasitized lady beetle larva increased at the early stage of offspring parasitoids and then returned over the intermediate and later stages. Analyses of ß-diversity indicated that the gut microbial community in a parasitized lady beetle was distinct from that in an unparasitized one and different between early or middle and late stages of offspring parasitoids in parasitized hosts. CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence for the relevance of the gut microbiota to interactions between a lady beetle host and its parasitoid. Our study provides a starting point for further investigations of the role the gut microbiota may play in host-parasitoid interactions. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Balticalcarus archibaldi Simutnik Gen. et sp. n. (Chalcidoidea, Encyrtidae) with the Unusually Small Mesotibial Spur from Baltic Amber.

Balticalcarus archibaldi Simutnik, gen. et sp. n., is described and illustrated based on a female specimen from late Eocene Baltic amber. The new genus is characterized by the absence of a filum spinosum, a "boat"-shaped hypopygium enclosing the ovipositor, reaching far past the apex of the syntergum, the presence of a line of long setae along the entire costal cell of the hind wing, and a transverse line of thickened setae alongside the hyaline spur vein. Moreover, like most previously described Eocene Encyrtidae, the new taxon differs from the majority of the extant ones by a number of morphological features. The new fossil differs from most extant and all known fossil Encyrtidae by its unusually small, thin, smooth (without microsetae) mesotibial spur.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Metaphycus eriococci (Timberlake) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Metaphycus eriococci (Timberlake, 1916) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was obtained via next-generation sequencing. This mitochondrial genome is 15,749 bp in length with 37 classical eukaryotic mitochondrial genes and an A + T-rich region. All the 13 PCGs begin with typical ATN codons. Among them, 12 PCG genes terminate with TAA, only one with TAG. All of the 22 tRNA genes, ranging from 58 to 72 bp with typical cloverleaf structure except for trnS1 and trnE, whose dihydrouridine arm forms a simple loop. A dramatic gene rearrangement with a large inversion of six protein-coding genes (nad3-cox3-atp6-atp8-cox2-cox1) also found in M. eriococci. Phylogenetic analysis highly supported the monophyly of Pteromalidae, Eupelmidae, and Encyrtidae are sister groups. Within Encyrtidae, Metaphycus eriococci and Aenasius arizonensis are close to each other.

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.

Parasitoids (Hymenoptera) of Mealybug Pests (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) from Southern Brazil: Molecular and Morphological Characterization.

Parasitoids of three mealybug pests (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), Planococcus ficus (Signoret), Pseudococcus sociabilis Hambleton, and Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) have been identified for the first time in Brazil. Mealybugs were collected in fruit-growing areas along southern Brazil during 2013-2016. An integrative approach, combining morphological and molecular methods, was used to identify the Brazilian parasitoids to the species level. Fifteen species were recorded, including 14 primary parasitoids belonging to Encyrtidae and Platygastridae and a single secondary parasitoid species belonging to Signiphoridae. The encyrtid parasitoids Acerophagus flavidulus (Brèthes), Anagyrus calyxtoi Noyes and Zaplatycerus sp., and the signiphorid secondary parasitoid Chartocerus axillaris De Santis are reported for the first time in Brazil.

Life History Evaluation of Ooencyrtus lucidus, a Newly Described Egg Parasitoid of Bagrada hilaris.

Ooencyrtus lucidus Triapitsyn & Ganjisaffar (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was recently recovered from fresh sentinel eggs of Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in California. In the present study, life history traits of O. lucidus were studied at 26 ± 0 . 5 ∘ C, 40 ± 10 % RH, and a photoperiod of 14 L: 10 D hours. Results showed that 95.2% of the parasitized eggs yielded successful emergence of adults. The total immature developmental time was 14.27 and 13.95 days for females and males, respectively. The sex ratio of O. lucidus was 0.5 (females/offspring). Mated females laid on average 6.0 eggs per day and 222.7 eggs during their mean ovipositional period of 37.3 days. There was no significant difference in reproduction parameters between mated and non-mated females. The net reproductive rate ( R 0 ) was 103.8 females/female/generation, the intrinsic rate of increase ( r m ) was 0.171 females/female/day, the finite rate of increase ( λ ) was 1.187 population multiplication/day, the mean generation time (T) was 27.1 days, and the doubling time (DT) was 4.0 days. The highest longevity was observed in mated and non-mated females fed with honey, and they lived for 70.8 and 70.1 days, respectively. Providing females with host eggs in addition to honey, reduced their longevity by 24% in mated and 28% in non-mated individuals. Non-mated females and males deprived of honey only lived for 3.5 and 2.5 days after emergence, respectively. Our results indicate that O. lucidus has sufficient life history traits to make it a promising egg parasitoid for the biological control of B. hilaris.

Evaluation of the Physiological Host Range for the Parasitoid Ooencyrtus mirus, a Potential Biocontrol Agent of Bagrada hilaris.

The thelytokous egg parasitoid Ooencyrtus mirus Triapitsyn and Power (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was recovered from brassica plant debris in Pakistan in an effort to find a biological control agent of the invasive bug Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in North America. As the first step in determining the overall host range of this parasitoid, adult females were exposed to the eggs of eight alternate pentatomid host species, two non-pentatomid heteropterans, and two lepidopterans, in choice and no-choice tests. Although O. mirus was more successful on B. hilaris than the other species in terms of the number of the eggs laid, the number of emerged progeny, and the developmental time of the progeny, it was able to reproduce on all of the alternate hosts except for one of the lepidopterans, whose eggs appeared too small for this parasitoid. The results show O. mirus to be a generalist parasitoid species with a preference for B. hilaris. The results also indicate that there is a linear relationship between the mean body length of O. mirus females and the mean host egg weight with an adjusted R 2 of 0.90. The implications of this study on the release of O. mirus for the control of B. hilaris are discussed.

Natural Enemies of the Harrisia Cactus Mealybug and Other Hypogeococcus Species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Puerto Rico: Identification and Taxonomic Notes on Primary and Secondary Parasitoids.

Primary and secondary parasitoids of Hypogeococcus spp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on Cactaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Portulacaceae were reported from field surveys conducted in Puerto Rico, USA, since 2009. Resident natural enemies of the Harrisia cactus mealybug (HCM), Hypogeococcus sp., which is devastating native cacti in Puerto Rico and threatening cacti in the adjacent Caribbean islands, were documented prior to the planned introductions of non-native biological control agents from South America against this pest. Two species of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) were recorded as primary parasitoids of the HCM on Cactaceae: Leptomastidea hypogeococci Triapitsyn, which was the most common, and Anagyrus quilmes Triapitsyn, Logarzo & Aguirre. Another primary parasitoid, Acerophagus sp. near nubilipennis Dozier (Encyrtidae), was also reared from a different Hypogeococcus sp. on Amaranthaceae and Portulacaceae. Hyperparasitoids, usually via L. hypogeococci, included Prochiloneurus narendrani Noyes & Triapitsyn (Encyrtidae), Pachyneuron sp. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), Chartocerus elongatus (Girault), and Chartocerus niger (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Signiphoridae). Cheiloneurus chrisiantorresi Triapitsyn sp. n. (Encyrtidae) is newly described and illustrated; its status as a suspect hyperparasitoid of Hypogeococcus sp. on Amaranthaceae and Portulacaceae, along with that of Cheiloneurus sp., will need to be verified. The recorded HCM predators include one species of Chamaemyiidae (Diptera), Leucopina bella (Loew), and three species of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera): Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, Decadiomus austrinus (Gordon), and Scymnobius flavifrons (Melsheimer).

Biological Control: A Major Component of the Pest Management Program for the Invasive Coconut Scale Insect, Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne, in the Philippines.

The coconut scale insect, Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne, caused a major pest outbreak in coconut plantations and stands in the Southern Tagalog region of Luzon Island in the Philippines between 2010 and 2015. To determine if parasitism by Comperiella calauanica Barrion, Almarinez and Amalin, a native encyrtid, could have been a factor in the eventual management of the outbreak by 2015, we estimated and assessed its parasitization levels on A. rigidus colonies on field-collected samples from selected points in three provinces in the Southern Tagalog Region across three sampling periods. We observed that C. calauanica consistently occurred only in areas where A. rigidus populations occurred, with high parasitization levels in the Southern Tagalog sites from 2014 to 2015. Results of correlation and regression of total scale count against parasitized scale count suggest putative host density-dependent parasitism by C. calauanica in the field. A marked decrease in the abundance of A. rigidus was recorded concurrently with visually observable recovery of coconut trees from the third quarter of 2014 up to the second quarter of 2016. Similar results of significant reduction in A. rigidus populations concurrent with high percent parasitization by mass-reared and released C. calauanica were found in the Zamboanga Peninsula from 2018 to 2020. Our findings and observations altogether suggest that host-specific parasitization by C. calauanica effected biological control, which may have contributed to the eventual management of the A. rigidus outbreak in the Southern Tagalog Region, and also in the Zamboanga Peninsula where similar recovery of coconut trees were observed within a year after inoculative releases of C. calauanica.

Mitochondrial genome of Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae) and phylogenetic analysis.

Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis is an important natural enemy of the psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, a vector of the huanglongbing (HLB). Here, we sequenced and annotated the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of D. aligarhensis. This mitogenome was 16,264 bp long and encoded 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and two ribosomal RNA unit genes (rRNAs). All 13 PCGs were initiated by the ATN (ATG, ATT, ATA, and ATC) codon. All PCGs terminate with the stop codon TAA except for cox2 and nad1 which end with the incomplete codon T-. Phylogenetic analysis showed that D. aligarhensis got together with the same family species Encyrtus infelix, and Encyrtidae had a close relationship with Agaonidae.

The mitochondrial genome of Platencyrtus parkeri Feriere (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae).

The mitochondrial genome of the Platencyrtus parkeri Feriere (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was obtained via next-generation sequencing. The assembled mitogenome is 13,393 bp in length, which contains 33 classical eukaryotic mitochondrial genes with three tRNA genes and rrnS gene missing. All the 13 PCGs begin with typical ATN codons. The 19 detected tRNAs range from 58 to 70 bp in length with typical cloverleaf structure except for trnS1, whose dihydrouridine (DHU) arm forms a simple loop. Meanwhile, they have six tRNAs inserted between nad2 and nad3 compared with Encyrtus infelix. Phylogenetic analysis highly supported the monophyly of Pteromalidae. Eupelmidae and Encyrtidae have a close relationship. Within Encyrtidae, Platencyrtus parkeri Feriere and Encyrtus infelix are close to each other.

Parasitoids of jumping plant-lice (Psylloidea, Hemiptera) from the family Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) in Serbia.

The aim of this research was to study the diversity of jumping plant-lice parasitoids and to investigate their potential in biological control applicable to cultivated and ornamental plants. Thirteen species from six genera of encyrtid wasps (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Encyrtidae) were reared from 24 species of jumping plant-lice (Hemiptera, Psylloidea) in Serbia. A total of 689 encyrtid wasps were collected since 2003 from 51 localities, reared from hosts. The richest genera are Psyllaephagus with four species (P. belanensis (Hoffer), P. fulvipes Erdös, P. procerus Mercet and Psyllaephagus sp.) and Syrphophagus with three species (S. aphidivorus (Mayr), S. taeniatus (Förster) and S. ariantes (Walker)). The most common species, comprising about half of the reared specimens, is Prionomitus mitratus (Dalman). Eight species are new to Serbia: Microterys annulatus (Erdös, 1957), Prionomitus tiliaris (Dalman), Psyllaephagus belanensis, P. fulvipes, P. procerus, Sectiliclava cleone (Walker), Syrphophagus ariantes and Trechnites flavipes (Mercet). Psyllaephagus fulvipes was reared from the nymphs of Craspedolepta conspersa (Löw), the only known host of this species so far. In the present study, 27 new host associations were found.

New records of Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) from the Maltese Islands with an updated checklist.

Thirty-three species of Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) are newly recorded from the Maltese Islands, of which, 19 include host data. An updated checklist for the 181 chalcidoid species recorded from Malta is also included, which belong to 17 families as follows: Agaonidae (3), Aphelinidae (21, 1 as new record), Azotidae (1), Chalcididae (8 species, 5 as new records), Encyrtidae (24, 1 as new record), Eulophidae (51, 16 are new records), Eupelmidae (9, 2 as new records), Eurytomidae (6, 1 as new record), Leucospidae (4), Megastigmidae (1), Mymaridae (2), Ormyridae (1), Perilampidae (1 new record), Pteromalidae (39, 5 as new records), Signiphoridae (2), Tetracampidae (1) and Torymidae (7, 1 as new record).

Archaeocercus gen. nov. (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Encyrtidae) from Late Eocene Rovno Amber.

Archaeocercus schuvachinae, gen. et sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on a female specimen from Rovno amber (Ukraine). This fossil genus is characterized by the apical position of cerci on metasoma, absence of filum spinosum on distal margin of linea calva on forewings, triangular hypopygium reaching metasomal apex, mesoscutum with incomplete notauli, long veins on forewings and apically expanded antennae. A brief comparative morphological analysis of some structures of the extinct and extant Encyrtidae is provided. The new genus is considered unplaced within Encyrtidae.

Effects of climate on pine processionary moth fecundity and on its egg parasitoids.

Climate change may be affecting the fecundity of phytophagous insects as well as impacting their natural enemies. However, temperature impacts these two insect groups differently, disrupting population regulation mechanisms, and ultimately, possibly culminating in an outbreak of the host. The pine processionary moth (PPM) is one of the most harmful insects of the Mediterranean basin. Not only are PPM larvae harmful to plants, but they are also dangerous to humans because of their urticating hairs. Although some information is available on climate change effects on the PPM, little is known about its potential effects on PPM egg parasitoids, especially on their distribution range or on their role in controlling PPM populations. The aim of this article was to verify the effects of climate on PPM fecundity and on its egg parasitoids. Our results show that climate warming may affect the PPM positively, but not its egg parasitoids. Specifically, during our study mild winters directly favored the PPM, while increasing summer temperatures (over 30°C) also favored the PPM indirectly, by decreasing parasitism rates. We predict that ever-milder winters will not only favor PPM development, but also encourage it to spread in otherwise previously inhospitable environments.