Preliminary inventory of hymenopteran parasitoids associated with fruit-infesting flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Northern Ghana

Baseline studies were conducted to determine the parasitoids associated with fruit flies in the northern savanna ecology of Ghana. Fruit fly puparia obtained from incubation of 17 host fruit species were maintained in rearing cages for the emergence of parasitoid wasps. Four species of braconid parasitoids namely, Fopius caudatus (Szépligeti), Psyttalia cosyrae (Wilkinson), Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) and Diachasmimorpha fullawayi (Silvestri) were recovered. F. caudatus was the most abundant parasitoid (61.0%) reared from most host fruits while D. fullawayi was the least abundant (7.7%). The overall mean parasitism rate was 7.1% with the highest record in Annona senegalensis Pers., Sarcocepholus latifolium S. Bruce and Icacina senegalensis Juss. Ceratitis cosyra and Bactrocera invadens were the fruit fly species most commonly reared that produced F. caudatus, and to a lesser extent, P. cosyrae. The peak occurrence of the parasitoids coincided with the peak of the rains and the maturity period of many of the host fruits. This first inventory of tephritid parasitoids in Ghana provides critical baseline data for biological control efforts in the future.     

Parasitoid control of the tomato fruitworm,Helicoverpa armigera,in smallholder farmer fields in Senegal

In Africa, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) is a key pest of cotton and vegetable crops, particularly tomato. Alternatives to insecticides to control this pest are needed such as conservation biological control. However, knowledge on the diversity and ecology of naturally occurring enemies of H. armigera is limited. A two-year field survey was conducted in a set of tomato farmer fields in the main vegetable-growing area in Senegal (Niayes) to assess the spatial and seasonal occurrence of indigenous parasitoids of H. armigera, and to evaluate the effect of insecticide use on biological control efficiency. No parasitoid emerged from H. armigera eggs. Incidence of larval parasitoids was generally moderate (20%) but highly variable (0%–100%) among fields, independently of host abundance, and negatively affected by the number of insecticide applications. Larval parasitism was largely dominated by the larval parasitoid Meteorus laphygmarum Brues (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), but a positive correlation was found between specific richness or Shannon diversity index of the parasitoid community and parasitism rate. This study is a first step toward development of research and extension programs for conservation of natural enemies in the framework of integrated management of the tomato fruitworm in Senegal.     

Establishment and dispersal of the parasitoids Ageniaspis citricola Logvinovskaya (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Semielacher petiolatus Girault (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), introduced into Tunisia for the biological control of Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)

Abstract

A programme for the biological control of the citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) was carried out in Tunisia between 1996 and 1998. Two exotic parasitoids, Ageniaspis citricola (Logvinovskaya) (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) and Semielacher petiolatus Girault (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), were introduced from Australia, mass-reared in a greenhouse on Citrus aurantium L. seedlings infested with P. citrella, and released in different orchards located in the major citrus-growing area of Tunisia. In 1996, A. citricola was recovered in 39.13% of release sites, reaching a maximum percentage of parasitism of 28%. In 1997, the parasitoid was recovered in a third of all release points, with an average percentage of parasitism of 5%. However, the wasp was unable to survive the winter 1998, and has become extinct. The non-establishment of A. citricola may have been due to the more arid climatic conditions present during the rainless summer and most of the autumn in Tunisia. By contrast, the establishment, dispersal, and reduction in citrus leafminer population observed with S. petiolatus between 1997 and 1998 shows this species to be well-adapted to the Tunisian climate. The average percentage parasitism of P. citrella by S. petiolatus increased from 6.6% in 1997 to 15% in 1998. Moreover, S. petiolatus was established in 76% of release points in 1997 and in 82% in 1998. It spread as much as 30 km from some release points, with no apparent decline in parasitism levels with distance. Semielacher petiolatus is considered to be an effective biological control of the leafminer in Tunisia. Its biological control action would supplement the action of the native parasitoids Pnigalio sp. and Cirrospilus pictus Nees (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae).     

浙江省不同寄主植物上烟粉虱寄生蜂之调查

为明确浙江省不同地区以及不同寄主植物上的烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci寄生蜂种类,更好地利用寄生蜂对烟粉虱进行生物防治,通过对浙江省8个地区进行田间烟粉虱末期若虫或伪蛹采样,并将其带回实验室内饲养直至寄生蜂成蜂羽化进行形态学鉴定。结果表明,在浙江省8个地区共采集到3 490头烟粉虱寄生蜂,其中蒙氏桨角蚜小蜂Eretmocerus mundus Mercet、狄氏桨角蚜小蜂Eretmocerus debachi RoseRosen和浅黄恩蚜小蜂Encarsia sophia(GiraultDodd)的数量最多,比例分别达到了53.0%、27.8%和9.9%;在温州发现的寄生蜂种类最多,共有10种;在20种寄主植物种类或品种上共发现10余种烟粉虱寄生蜂,其中17种寄主植物上共有的烟粉虱寄生蜂有蒙氏桨角蚜小蜂、12种寄主植物上共有的是浅黄恩蚜小蜂、10种寄主植物上共有的是狄氏桨角蚜小蜂;表明这3种寄生蜂是浙江省广泛分布的优势种类。     

Survey of indigenous parasitoids affecting the invasive chestnut gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region (North‐East Italy)

The Asian chestnut gall wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae), is one of the most damaging insect pests on Castanea sativa Miller trees (Fagales, Fagaceae) worldwide. Dryocosmus kuriphilus galls were collected between late May and August 2014 from 11 sites in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of North‐East Italy, differing in elevation and forest cover composition. The number of parasitoids that emerged was higher than the number of D. kuriphilus specimens that emerged for 5 out of 11 sites considered. The mean number of larval chambers per gall dissected was between 1.5 and 2.8 (for the 11 different sites). There were no fewer than 2–3 specimens of parasitoids emerging per 100 galls, in all sites. The parasitoids identified belonged to five different Chalcidoidea families (Torymidae, Eupelmidae, Eurytomidae, Pteromalidae and Eulophidae). Among them, Torymidae and Eupelmidae represented approximately 90% of the total hymenopteran parasitoids. The most represented species were Torymus flavipes (Walker), Megastigmus dorsalis (Fabricius) and Eupelmus urozonus Dalman, all indigenous parasitoids of species causing oak galls. All identified parasitoids were already known to be associated with D. kuriphilus in Italy. These data support the hypothesis of a high species richness of this parasitoid community.     

Side effects of fungicides on the abundance and the species diversity of the natural populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila</Emphasis> and their hymenopterous parasitoids in orchards

Within entomophagous insects, hymenopterous parasitoids are important regulators of natural populations of insects including pests. Pesticide treatments are largely used in orchards for economic reasons. These treatments allow for greater productivity, but they may also impact upon non-target insect populations. Drosophila and their hymenopterous parasitoids are abundant in orchards and are not direct targets of pesticide treatments. In this work, natural populations of Drosophila and their parasitoids were monitored from June to November, and their abundance was reported from two types of orchards. One type was under conventional pesticide treatments, mostly fungicides (“Treated plot”), and the other was under low-input treatments (“Low-input plot”). Five Drosophila species and five parasitoid species were present in both types of orchards. A time effect on abundance was found with two peaks of abundance, one in August and the other in autumn (October), corresponding to a fluctuation of numbers depending on the availability of resources. When comparing insect abundance between the two types of plots, the abundance in the Treated plot was found to be lower than or equal to that in the Low-input plot. Furthermore, a significant decrease in the abundance of two scarce parasitoid species (Leptopilina heterotoma and Asobara tabida) that could lead to their disappearance was also observed. The results are discussed in the context of the diverse lethal and sub-lethal effects of pesticides on the development and reproduction of natural populations of insects and their importance as natural enemies.     

Dry season survival,diapause duration and timing of diapause termination in the millet stem borer,Coniesta ignefusalis (Hampson) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Northern Ghana

Studies were conducted between 1996 and 1997 in Northern Ghana on the dry season survival tactics of the millet stem borer Coniesta ignefusalis (Hampson). Results confirmed that the main survival tactic employed by the insect was larval diapause, which lasts from November to May the following year. In both years, diapause termination occurred in the field 4-6 weeks after the resumption of the rains, depending on the year and location. Larval mortality rate was high during diapause with peaks occurring towards the end of the dry season in May. During the 2 years, larval populations declined by at least 50% between the start of diapause and its termination. No parasitoids were encountered during the study period, suggesting that biocontrol agents are probably not very important in the population dynamics of the insect. The implications of these findings for management of the pest are discussed.     

Effect of the acylurea insect growth regulator teflubenzuron on the endo-larval stages of the hymenopteran parasitoids Cotesia plutellae and Diadegma semiclausum in a susceptible and an acylurea-resistant strain of Plutella xylostella

The toxicity of the acylurea, teflubenzuron, was assessed against larval stages of the hymenopteran parasitoids, Cotesia plutellae Kurdjumov and Diadegma semiclausum Hellén in a susceptible laboratory strain and a teflubenzuron-resistant field strain of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. In fourth-instar hosts (L4), when both parasitoid species were in their final larval instar, teflubenzuron significantly (P < 0.05) reduced emergence of adult D. semiclausum but had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on C. plutellae, although a small proportion of the latter were unable to reproduce. Treatment of L4 hosts with teflubenzuron ( > LD₅₀) had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on the fecundity of surviving females of D. semiclausum. Similar differential toxicity with teflubenzuron was observed in L2 hosts, when parasitoids were at the egg or early larval instar stage. There was no apparent increased effect of teflubenzuron on either species of parasitoid when highly resistant (c. 4000-fold) L2 hosts (field strain) were treated with concentrations of teflubenzuron two to three orders of magnitude greater than in equivalent experiments with the susceptible host strain. This suggests that host resistance to teflubenzuron confers some protection to both species of parasitoid. Uptake experiments with [¹⁴C]teflubenzuron showed that accumulation of radioactivity was much greater in D. semiclausum than in C. plutellae and this may account for the differential toxicity observed. The results are discussed in relation to the field status of these parasitoid species. The influence of insecticide resistance in the host on endo-larval parasitoids is also considered.     

Aphidius colemani Vier. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) detected in cereal fields in Germany

Studies conducted in the 2000 cropping season at two different localities, Flaeming and Magdeburger Boerde in Germany, have provided new information on cereal aphid (Sitobion avenae (F.), Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker), and Rhopalosiphum padi (L.)) parasitoids in winter wheat; their species composition, relative abundance, hosts, and location effects. The average aphid population density was higher at Magdeburger Boerde and lower at Flaeming. Among the aphid species, Sitobion avenae was more abundant at Flaeming and Metopolophium dirhodum at Magdeburger Boerde. In total, eight species of primary parasitoids were recorded: Aphidius colemani Viereck, Aphidius rhopalosiphi DeStefani Perez, Aphidius uzbekistanicus Luzhetzki, Aphidius ervi Haliday, Aphidius picipes (Nees), Ephedrus plagiator (Nees), Praon gallicumStarý, and Praon volucre (Haliday). The predominant parasitoid species were Aphidius colemani and Aphidius rhopalosiphi on Metopolophium dirhodum and Aphidius uzbekistanicus on Sitobion avenae. A low number of hyperparasitoids were also recorded. Aphidius colemani was recorded for the first time in the open winter wheat fields in Germany, although it has been used as a biocontrol agent in glasshouses in many European countries and overseas. An analysis of the aforementioned information shows that Aphidius colemani detected as a parasitoid of cereal aphids in Germany is likely a result of an accidental escape of parasitoids from a glasshouse, as well as their successful overwintering and establishment in the area. This study provides baseline information essential for assessing future changes in aphid parasitoid species guild and dynamics in cereal fields in Germany.     

Aphidius colemani Vier. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) detected in cereal fields in Germany

Studies conducted in the 2000 cropping season at two different localities, Flaeming and Magdeburger Boerde in Germany, have provided new information on cereal aphid (Sitobion avenae (F.), Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker), and Rhopalosiphum padi (L.)) parasitoids in winter wheat; their species composition, relative abundance, hosts, and location effects. The average aphid population density was higher at Magdeburger Boerde and lower at Flaeming. Among the aphid species, Sitobion avenae was more abundant at Flaeming and Metopolophium dirhodum at Magdeburger Boerde. In total, eight species of primary parasitoids were recorded: Aphidius colemani Viereck, Aphidius rhopalosiphi DeStefani Perez, Aphidius uzbekistanicus Luzhetzki, Aphidius ervi Haliday, Aphidius picipes (Nees), Ephedrus plagiator (Nees), Praon gallicumStarý, and Praon volucre (Haliday). The predominant parasitoid species were Aphidius colemani and Aphidius rhopalosiphi on Metopolophium dirhodum and Aphidius uzbekistanicus on Sitobion avenae. A low number of hyperparasitoids were also recorded. Aphidius colemani was recorded for the first time in the open winter wheat fields in Germany, although it has been used as a biocontrol agent in glasshouses in many European countries and overseas. An analysis of the aforementioned information shows that Aphidius colemani detected as a parasitoid of cereal aphids in Germany is likely a result of an accidental escape of parasitoids from a glasshouse, as well as their successful overwintering and establishment in the area. This study provides baseline information essential for assessing future changes in aphid parasitoid species guild and dynamics in cereal fields in Germany.     

Maize planting time and arthropod abundance in southern Mindanao,Philippines. II. Population dynamics of natural enemies

Abstract

Beneficial arthropods were monitored in monthly plantings over 4 years in a rainfed, triple-maize cropping system in southern Mindanao, Philippines. Generalist predators and two egg parasitoids of the Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (ACB) did not show significant differences in abundance with respect to calendar month of planting over 39 crops. Two species of Trichogramma (T. evanescens Westwood and T. chilonis Ishii) collectively parasitized 67% of ACB egg masses and 58% eggs over the study becoming more abundant as the crop aged. The closeness of the two parasitism rates suggests that to increase parasitoid efficacy, particularly early in the crop, the best strategy would be augmentation and to increase longevity of wasps by providing carbohydrate sources to extend their searching time. Unparasitized egg masses tended to be smaller showing they were more likely to be overlooked. The ratio between the two parasitoids was 56:44 in favour of the former. Trichogramma evanescens had been introduced 2 years earlier by a government project, whereas T. chilonis probably was introduced by sugarcane estates. Prior to their introduction there were no ACB egg parasitoids in the Philippines and both are firmly established as annual parasitism levels did not continue to rise during the study. Parasitoid activity caused significant reductions in neonate ACB larval numbers beginning 7 weeks after crop emergence in an average crop. Egg parasitism rates were positively and linearly correlated with ACB egg mass density. A quadratic regression model was established between mean egg parasitism rates and egg masses size with peak parasitism rates occurring at 25 eggs per mass. Collectively 32 species of generalist predators averaged 0.9 – 1.5 individuals per plant based on weekly samplings. If ants were excluded, the average dropped to 0.1 – 0.3 per plant. Ants, dominated by Solenopsis geminata (F.), fed on ACB eggs and larvae. Coccinellids as the next most numerous were represented by three species where Micraspis crocea (Mulsant) in particular tracked ACB egg masses and probably the corn leaf aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) as well. Four species of orthropterans also tracked ACB egg masses. The third most abundant guild was 17 spiders with the oxyopid Oxyopes javanus Thorell and the araneid Araneus inustus (C.L. Koch) highly correlated with ACB egg mass densities. Other spiders targeted ACB moths and Atherigona oryzae Malloch adults. The predatory mirid Cyrtorhinus lividipennis Reuter probably targeted the corn leafhopper Cicadulina bimaculata (Evans) and possibly thrips Thrips palmi Karny and Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall). The lacewing Chrysopa sp. was abundant late in the crop when aphids were present on tassels.     

Diversity of stem borer parasitoids and their associated wild host plants in South Africa and Mozambique

The diversity of lepidopterous stem borers, their parasitoids and their associated wild host plants was studied in South Africa between 2006 and 2009 and in Mozambique between 2005 and 2010. In South Africa, 20 species of parasitoids were recovered from 17 stem borer species collected on 16 wild host plant species. From Mozambique, 14 parasitoid species were recorded from 16 stem borer species collected on 14 wild host plant species. The highest diversity of parasitoids was recorded on stem borers that attacked the host plants Phragmites australis (7 spp.) and Panicum maximum (6 spp.), in South Africa and Mozambique, respectively. Bracon sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Procerochasmias nigromaculatus (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) were the most recorded parasitoid species in South Africa while Cotesia sesamiae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) parasitized most stem borer species in Mozambique. The most common tachinid parasitoid recorded in this study was Sturmiopsis parasitica (Diptera: Tachinidae). Parasitism of stem borers during the off season was previously thought to occur mainly in natural habitats but this study shows that although natural habitats provided refuges for some parasitoid species, stem borer parasitism was generally low in wild host plants, irrespective of whether collections were done during the cropping or off-season. Parasitoid beta diversity did not depend on habitat or host plant species, but was determined by stem borer diversity.     

Soybean stem fly,Melanagromyza sojae (Diptera: Agromyzidae), on Sumatra: Seasonal incidence and the role of parasitism

Abstract

The density of M. sojae and percentage parasitism was studied in unsprayed soybean at 18 farmers’ field sites in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra provinces, Indonesia, during 1992 and 1993. M. sojae generally infested soybean throughout the season; infestation was initially low, reached its peak from the fifth till the eighth week after planting and declined towards the end of the season. A complex of seven hymenopterous parasiloids had a high impact on the pest. Parasitism levels built up alongside with host density and remained high until just before harvest. The eucoilid Gronotoma sp. was the most prevalent species during the early and mid‐season; a complex of pteromalids became dominant towards the end of the season. In soybean planted successively at 2‐week intervals, the parasitism level in the first‐planted crop built up slowly, whereas the parasitism level in the third‐planted crop was high from the early crop stage onwards, which suggests that the third‐planted crop benefited from parasitism build‐up in the earlier‐planted crops. The role of parasitoids in controlling beanflies in unsprayed soybean is discussed.     

Occurrence of two localMegastigmus species parasitic on the eucalyptus gall waspLeptocybe invasa in Israel and Turkey

Two localMegastigmus species were found to be parasitoids on the invasive Eucalyptus gall waspLeptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle in Turkey and Israel.Megastigmus sp, from Israel is a larval and pupal parasitoid ofL. Invasa. Both species are biparental. Features showing morphological differences between them are presented. The biology, distribution and potential efficiency as biological control agents are discussed.     

Valuation of gamma irradiation for proficient production of parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae & Eucoilidae) in the management of the peach fruit-fly,Bactrocera zonata (Saunders)

Recognizing the potential significance of using nuclear techniques in biological control, investigations were conducted on the rearing of parasitoids of the peach fruit-fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae) to lead to a greater flexibility in the use of irradiated hosts. For improving mass production of the biological control agents, the use of irradiated fruit-fly larvae at the dose of 15 Gy proved useful for enhancing the parasitism and adult emergence of the larval parasitoid, Trybliographa daci (Weld) (Hymenoptera: Eucoilidae) due to no negative repercussions on parasitoid development. Overall, parasitism by the parasitoid increased with age of the host larvae; however, significantly higher parasitism occurred on 4 d-old irradiated larvae of B. zonata compared to those aged 5 d. The female parasitoids preferred the irradiated larvae, and significantly higher numbers of larvae were parasitized compared with non-irradiated larvae. There was no significant difference in adult parasitoid emergence with respect to the sex of the host. A radiation level of 80 Gy was the best dose for rearing of the pupal parasitoid, Dirhinus giffardii (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) owing to broad tolerances in the use of irradiation for the rearing of fruit-fly's parasitoids. Percentage parasitism by D. giffardii varied with host pupal age, and the preference of the female parasitoid was lower on 48 h old host pharate pupae due to optimum size and mass of host. Present findings further revealed that the 24 h old host pupae of B. zonata were relatively more suitable for the maximum parasitism and progeny production of D. giffardii. Parasitisms by D. giffardii and T. daci were significantly higher on B. zonata host when parasitoids were released at a density of 3000 individuals per acre (7500 per hectares) than the other release rates of parasitoids for the management of fruit-flies in mango orchards. The implementation of these findings ought to help improve the mass production of parasitoids and the effectiveness of releases of biocontrol agents for control of B. zonata in mango plantations.     

Leafminers in vegetables,ornamental plants and weeds in Indonesia: Surveys of host crops,species composition and parasitoids

Extensive surveys of vegetable, ornamental and weedy plant species were conducted in highland and lowland vegetable production areas in Indonesia with the aim of recording leafminer species present and their associated natural enemies. The most common dipterous species reared from samples was the pea leafminer, Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae). This introduced pest was particularly serious in highland vegetables in Java, Sumatra and South Sulawesi, causing yield losses as high as 60-70%. Another alien species, the vegetable leafminer, Liriomyza sativae Blanchard, contributed to problems in lowland areas on the north coast of West Java, where cucumbers were heavily damaged. An Asian leafminer species, Chromatomyia horticola Goureau, was more common in snow peas (Pisum sp.). Intensive sampling of leafminer-infested leaves from surveyed host plants yielded 11 species of hymenopteran parasitoids: 10 eulophids (Asecodes sp., Chrysocharis sp., Cirrospilus ambiguus (Hansson and LaSalle), Closterocerus sp., Hemiptarsenus varicornis (Girault), Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood), Neochrysocharis sp., Pnigalio sp., Quadrastichus sp., Zagrammosoma sp.) and 1 eucoilid (Gronotoma sp.). The most abundant parasitoid species was H. varicornis. Levels of parasitism varied among crops and growing seasons, but were usually low, especially on potato (< 3%). Surveys revealed that most farmers (63%) attempted to control leafminers by applying insecticides twice weekly although these applications were neither effective nor economical according to responses of about 72% of the farmers. An integrated pest management approach is suggested that emphasizes IPM training for vegetable farmers and includes reductionor elimination of broad spectrum chemicals that would adversely affect parasitoids that may already be present as well as those that may be introduced. The initiation of a classical biological control programme is recommended to enhance the limited parasitoid complex present in Indonesia and increase levels of biological control.     

Contribution of Biological Control to Integrated Pest Management of Tephritid Fruit Flies in the Tropics and Subtropics

The biological control of pest tephritid flies using parasitoids has been successful in relatively few subtropical and tropical regions. The best documented successes were in Hawaii and Florida, USA, Fiji and southern Europe. There were relatively limited successes in Australia, Costa Rica and Mexico. With the accidental establishment of new pest tephritids, such as Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) in Hawaii or Bactrocera papayae Drew and Hancock in Australia, foreign exploration for new parasitoids is essential. A renewal of interest in classical biological control has recently occurred, although not at the same level as in the 1940s and 1950s. New parasitoid species are currently being obtained for several tephritids, such as Ceratitis capitata (Weidemann), B. latifrons and Anastrepha suspensa (Loew). The advances in mass rearing and quality control technology for parasitoids has enabled researchers to perform large-scale field testing of these parasitoids to determine the potential of augmentative releases. Numerous studies on the augmentative release of parasitoids have been done. Historically, the larval—pupal parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) has been the most frequently studied parasitoid, due to the ease of rearing this species. However, recent successes in rearing other species with different biologies, e.g. the egg—pupal parasitoid Biosteres arisanus (Sonan), the gregarious eulophid, Tetrastichus giffardianus (Silvestri) and the pupal parasitoid, Coptera sp., will enable researchers to broaden the repertoire of parasitoid species for the future. Both successes and failures in augmentative releases have occurred. Without knowledge of the behavioural ecology of parasitoids, the reasons for success or failure can only be surmised. Recent research on the dispersal and host habitat finding of tephritid parasitoids will provide insights into improving augmentation and conservation strategies. The integrated pest management (IPM) of tephritid flies in the tropics has been less well-developed than research and programmes for tephritids in temperate zones. Significant emphasis is now being placed on the development of quarantine treatment methods that are environmentally sound; thus IPM will take a larger role. Several existing pest management strategies are reviewed which show the potential for compatibility with the activities of tephritid parasitoids. These include trap cropping, insecticides with selective toxicity to the target pests, mass trapping with parapheromones, the sterile insect technique and field sanitation.     

Distribution and tephritid hosts (Diptera) of braconid parasitoids (hymenoptera) in Brazil

Tephritid parasitoids reared from 26 different host fruit species showed remarkably little diversity across 21 Brazilian counties. The majority of the parasitoids (81.4%) belonged to the braconid subfamily Opiinae, with Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti) the most commonly encountered species. Four other opiines, namely D. brasiliensis (Szépligeti), Opius bellus Gahan, Optus sp. and Utetes (Bracanastrepha) anastrephae (Viereck) were also reared, but in much smaller numbers. Asobara anastrephae (Muesebeck), an alysiine braconid parasitoid of tephritids, accounted for an additional 18–6% of the individuals reared from tephritids. The hosts and distribution patterns of the braconid parasitoids of Brazilian fruit‐infesting Tephritidae are summarized.     

Biological control of Tuta absoluta in Argentina and Italy: evaluation of indigenous insects as natural enemies

By means of an international project, Argentinian and Italian researchers are carrying out joint research to study biological and ecological aspects of Tuta absoluta biological control. This paper lists indigenous natural enemies reported for T. absoluta, as well as the current results on T. absoluta egg and larval parasitoids in both countries. Parasitoid species that conformed to different guilds are shown to coexist in cropping conditions, and some show positive characteristics as potential biocontrol agents against T. absoluta by means of augmentative releases. Future laboratory and field evaluations of the efficacy of biological control programmes in Argentina and Italy are proposed.     

Distribution and relative importance of lepidopteran cereal stemborers and their parasitoids in Uganda

Infestation levels and parasitism of lepidopteran stemborers on maize were assessed in four agroecological zones (AEZ) in Uganda. The indigenous noctuidBusseola fusca Fuller (Noctuidae) and the invasiveChilo partellus Swinhoe (Crambidae) were the most important stemborers recorded.C. partellus represented 77% of the stemborers in the Eastern AEZ whileB. fusca was dominant in the other AEZs, accounting for 60–79%. The proportion of infested plants was between 16% and 45% and borer density between 0.2 and 1.0 borers per plant. There was no clear relationship between damage and stem tunneling, which is often used to estimate yield loss.Telenomus busseolae Gahan (Scelionidae), the only egg parasitoid recovered, caused parasitism of up to 46% onB. fusca eggs. Several larval and pupal parasitoid species were recorded. The most common were the indigenous braconidCotesia sesamiae and the introducedCotesia flavipes, which are larval parasitoids ofB. fusca andC. partellus, respectively. Mean parasitism by the indigenousC. sesamiae ranged between 2.0% and 29.4% onB. fusca and from 0 to 13% onC. partellus. C. flavipes was recovered at most locations with parasitism of 0–30.5% onC. partellus and 0–12% onB. fusca; the latter was probably the result of multiparasitism as laboratory studies have shown that it was not a suitable host forC. partellus. Results indicated further that the parasitoid has not attained equilibrium 5 years after its introduction. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Nov. 20, 2006. Teddy Matama-Kauma died suddenly in an accident on Dec. 10, 2006, while this paper was in press.