Presence of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis> gall wasp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ophelimus maskelli</Emphasis> and its parasitoid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Closterocerus chamaeleon</Emphasis> in Portugal: First record,geographic distribution and host preference

The Eucalyptus gall wasp Ophelimus maskelli (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and its parasitoid Closterocerus chamaeleon (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) were observed for the first time in Portugal, in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Data on the distribution of O. maskelli in Portugal, differences in the susceptibility of two host species, Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and parasitism by C. chamaeleon are given.     

New distribution record of the invasive bronze bug Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero and Dellapé (Heteroptera,Thaumastocoridae) in Italy

The presence of the bronze bug Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero and Dellapé (Heteroptera; Thaumastocoridae), a serious invasive pest of Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) plantations, was recently reported for the first time in Europe in the Italian region of Latium. This study provides information on its occurrence in Sicily from Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.     

Citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella and its parasitoids in Sargodha region of Pakistan

In order to identify the parasitoids of Phyllocnistis citrella, an important pest of Citrus, the larvae and pupae of this pest were collected from Citrus reticulata Blanco orchards in the Sargodha region of Pakistan. The parasitoid species were identified, and their abundance was recorded. A total of two species were identified: Citrostichus phyllocnistoides (Narayan) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Cirrospilus ingenuus Gahan (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Out of a total of 409 P. citrella larvae and pupae collected, 73 C. phyllocnistoides and 39 C. ingenuus adults emerged. This paper documents the species and the abundance of the parasitoids associated with P. citrella in the Sargodha region of Pakistan.     

Note: First record of the eucalyptus gall wasp<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ophelimus maskelli</Emphasis> and its parasitoid,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Closterocerus chamaeleon</Emphasis>, in Turkey

The Eucalyptus gall waspOphelimus maskelli (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae: Ophelimini) and its introduced parasitoidClosterocerus chamaeleon (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae: Entedoninae) are recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean and Aegean Regions of Turkey. Some morphological characters of adult and larva ofO. maskelli and larva ofC. chamaeleon are described and illustrated. Distributions of the two wasps collected in Turkey are given. Results indicate that the biological control agent,C. chamaeleon, has spread over 1,300 km in the 16 months since its initial release.     

First report of the Opuntia cochineal scale Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) in Morocco

The Opuntia cochineal scale Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) causes severe damage to prickly pear (Opuntia ficus‐indica (L.) Miller). This scale insect was first detected in Morocco in 2015 during sampling in the cactus crop in the Sidi Bennour region (120 km north‐west of Marrakech). Methods for sampling, preservation and identification are described. Although this scale insect can be used for the production of the natural dye carmine, the damage it can cause is considerable. A pest risk analysis should be carried out and the ensuing management measures implemented to prevent severe economic and ecological losses.     

Anselmella malacia, a new pest wasp (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae) reared fromSyzygium samarangense in Malaysia

A new pest wasp,Anselmella malacia Xiao & Huang sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), is described fromSyzygium samarangense Merr. & Perry. The larvae ofAnselmella are phytophagous and develop as seed-eaters of some species ofSyzygium. This is the first record of anAnselmella species reared fromSyzygium samarangense. The type specimens are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting May 14, 2006.     

The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in Tunisia: current status and management strategies

The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) was first identified in the region of Akkouda in October 2008 before it spread to all tomato‐producing areas in Tunisia. The introduction of this pest disturbed existing pest control programmes in greenhouses and open fields, forcing Tunisian growers to use more chemicals to reduce its impact on their crops. A national programme was adopted to control T. absoluta, including cultural practices, the use of pheromones, the installation of insect‐proof screens in greenhouses, and the use of organic insecticides including Bacillus thuringiensis Kurstaki (Bt) and plant extract‐based products. In addition, a few experiments in biological control, using the predatory Mirid Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Heteroptera: Miridae) and the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), were conducted in greenhouses and open‐field crops (producing tomatoes for fresh consumption as well as for processing). This paper describes the status of T. absoluta in Tunisia, including data collected from sex pheromone traps installed in six tomato‐producing areas (Takelssa, Korba, Teboulba, Bekalta, Sousse and Kairouan) between 2009 and 2011, and control strategies in greenhouses and open fields.     

Predatory potential of eleven native Moroccan adult ladybird species on different stages of Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae)

Dactylopius opuntiae is an insect pest of cactus which is currently causing severe damage to cactus crops in Morocco. It was first observed in 2014 in the Sidi Bennour region 120 km northwest of Marrakech, and has spread very quickly to destroy the prickly pear cactus crops (Opuntia ficus‐indica (L.) Miller) in several regions of country, causing very heavy economic losses. To control this pest, the predatory potential of eleven species of native Moroccan ladybird predators was investigated under laboratory conditions at 26 ± 2°C, 60 ± 10% RH and a 12 h light:12 h dark regime. The experiments were conducted in no‐choice feeding tests (only eggs, first instar or second instar of mealybugs were offered at one time) and free‐choice feeding tests (eggs and first and second instar larvae were offered simultaneously). In the no‐choice feeding tests, Exochomus nigripennis, Chilocorus bipustulatus and Chilocorus politus consumed the highest mean number of mealybug eggs and first instars, and the highest mean number of second instars was consumed by Hippodamia convergens. In the free‐choice feeding tests the highest mean number of mealybug eggs was eaten by Chilocorus bipustulatus and Chilocorus politus and Hippodamia convergens consumed the highest mean number of first and second instars of the mealybug.     

白蜡窄吉丁(鞘翅目:吉丁甲科)的生物防治研究进展

白蜡窄吉丁Agrilus planipennis Faimaire原分布在东北亚国家,包括俄罗斯远东地区,在原产地由于为害不重而受关注度不高,因此没有被列入世界各国危险性有害生物监测重点名单之中。但自21世纪初其传入美国和加拿大之后,已造成重大灾害,成为迄今为止北美地区危害性最大和造成经济损失最为严重的外来入侵森林害虫。由于该害虫的高度隐蔽性,在传入地的早期检测非常困难,发现该虫的地点往往其种群已经定殖多年,因此根除策略难以奏效。美国在白蜡窄吉丁入侵初期进行的根除策略失败后迅速启动了生物防治计划。通过国际合作研究,美国从中国引进了3种寄生性天敌:白蜡吉丁柄腹茧蜂Spathius agrili Yang、白蜡吉丁啮小蜂Tetrastichus planipennisi Yang和白蜡吉丁卵跳小蜂Oobius agrili Zhang & Huang,经大量人工繁殖后在林间进行了释放,现已在当地成功建立了天敌种群,开始发挥越来越重要的控制作用。本文对最近10多年来白蜡窄吉丁生物防治方面的研究进展进行了回顾和简要综述,希望对我国同类蛀干害虫的研究工作有所启示。     

Introduced and native parasitoids of Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton in Greece: short term post-release evaluation

The Citrus Leafminer (CLM) Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) is considered an important pest of citrus, damaging mainly nursery plants. In Greece it was first recorded on the island of Rhodes in 1995 and rapidly spread to all citrus growing areas of the country. Due to its wide expansion and damage, efforts were initiated to control this pest with biological control agents. For this purpose, a number of exotic parasitoids, such as Citrostichus phyllocnistoides (Narayanan), Quadrastichus sp. Girault and Semielacher petiolata (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), were introduced, reared in insectaries and released in several regions of Greece. The species composition and the seasonal abundance of the native parasitoids, as well as the recovery of the released parasitoids, were investigated in weekly samplings during 1998 and 1999 in a citrus orchard in Argolis district. Results showed that among the released parasitoids, only C. phyllocnistoides was recovered. Among the native parasitoids, Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood), Pnigalio pectinicornis (L.) and Cirrospilus sp. Westwood (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) were identified. The most abundant parasitoid species was the exotic C. phyllocnistoides. The highest percent of parasitism in 1999 increased approximately by 46% compared with that of the previous year. The percent of parasitism increased to its maximum level during November, at the end of the sampling period in both years, when the population density of C. phyllocnistoides was high.     

Bioactivity of compounds from Acmella oleracea against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and selectivity to two non-target species

BACKGROUND: Tropical plants are recognised sources of bioactive compounds that can be used for pest control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biological activity of compounds present in Acmella oleracea (Asteracea) against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), which is the main pest of tomato crops in Latin America. The selectivity of these compounds to the predator Solenopsis saevissima (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and to the pollinator Tetragonisca angustula (Latr.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponinae) was also of interest. RESULTS: A bioassay screening with hexane and ethanol extracts from 23 plants was performed. The hexane extract of A. oleraceae was the most active of the extracts and was selected for further study. The following three alkamides were isolated from a hexane extract of the aerial parts of A. oleracea : spilanthol, (E)‐N‐isobutylundeca‐2‐en‐8,10‐diynamide and (R, E)‐N‐(2‐methylbutyl)undeca‐2‐en‐8,10‐diynamide. All of the isolated compounds showed insecticidal activity, with spilanthol being the most active (LD₅₀ = 0.13 µg mg^?1) against T. absoluta . The alkamides were selective to both beneficial species studied. CONCLUSION: The crude hexane extract of A. oleraceae showed high insecticidal activity and can be used to control T. absoluta in organic or conventional crops. Quantification of LD₅₀ values of isolated compounds against T. absoluta showed that alkamides could serve as potent insecticides for T. absoluta control programmes. Spilanthol was the main alkamide active isolated. This alkamide is the most promising as it has the highest insecticidal activity and is selective to non‐target organisms. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Baeoentedon balios (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae): a parasitoid of ficus whitefly,Singhiella simplex (Singh) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), new to the United States

A new host and distribution record is provided for the whitefly parasitoid Baeoentedon balios Wang, Huang, & Polaszek (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Specimens were reared from ficus whitefly, Singhiella simplex (Singh) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), in St. Petersburg, FL, USA, representing the second confirmed host for B. balios, as well as the first record of Baeoentedon Girault from the Western Hemisphere.     

Management strategies for the control of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) damage in open‐field cultivations of processing tomato in Tuscany (Italy)

Since its recent introduction into the Mediterranean area, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) has become widespread and an important pest throughout the region, including in Tuscany, where it was first recorded in 2009. Although several studies have been conducted within controlled environments on the ecology and management of T. absoluta, limited information is currently available on the importance of this pest in open‐field cultivations, which may lead to ineffective management strategies. This study was carried out to monitor fluctuations in adult populations of T. absoluta in organic and conventional cultivations of processing tomatoes using pheromone lures, and to collect inter‐annual data on direct yield loss and fruit damage from larval feeding in two separate trials in Grosseto (Tuscany). The first trial included eight conventionally managed fields; the second trial was carried out in four organically managed fields. Results show relatively higher crop damage for tomatoes transplanted later in the season and harvested towards the end of August to early September, and limited fruit damage from this pest during the second year of the study for both conventional and organically managed fields. Finally, biological and chemical pest management strategies for the control of T. absoluta adopted by farmers within the region are reviewed and discussed.     

Investigations on Oecophylla longinoda (Latreille) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) as a biocontrol agent in the protection of cashew plantations

BACKGROUND: Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) has become a very important non‐traditional tree crop in Ghana. The crop is, however, attacked by sap‐sucking insects, particularly the mosquito bug, Helopeltis schoutedeni Reuter, the leaf‐footed bug, Pseudotheraptus devastans (Dist.), and the coreid bug, Anoplocnemis curvipes (F.), which feed on shoots, panicles and fruits. Their damage is characterised by withering of the latter. In Ghana, Oecophylla longinoda Latr. occurs in large numbers on cashew and other native plants, but little is known about its relationship with insect pests. The relationship between O. longinoda and shoot and panicle damage by sap‐sucking bugs and the effectiveness of O. longinoda as a biocontrol agent in the protection of cashew as compared with two chemical insecticides, lambda‐cyhalothrin (Karate^®) and cypermethrin + dimethoate (Cyperdim^®), were therefore investigated at Bole in the northern region of Ghana. RESULTS: There was a negative correlation between numbers of O. longinoda nests and pest damage. Trees treated with cypermethrin + dimethoate (969 mg AI mL^?1 tree^?1) and lambda‐cyhalothrin (100 mg AI mL^?1 tree^?1) recorded the smallest bug numbers, followed by O. longinoda. Trees infested by Oecophylla longinoda and trees treated with cypermethrin + dimethoate and with lambda‐cyhalothrin had less than 6% pest damage to shoots, panicles and fruits, while water‐sprayed trees recorded damage as high as 36.8% (shoots) in February, 32.9% (panicles) in February and 37.8% (fruits) in March. Cypermethrin + dimethoate again recorded the highest (485.0 kg ha^?1) nut yield, followed by O. longinoda (431.0 kg ha^?1), with water recording the lowest (93.0 kg ha^?1) nut yield. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that O. longinoda can be used to control some sucking bugs as effectively as some insecticides. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

New parasitoids of Paraphytomyza populi (Kltb.) (Diptera, Agromyzidae) in Bulgaria

The parasitoid complex of Paraphytomyza populi (Kltb.) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) was studied in Sofia, Bulgaria in 1997. Poplar leaves with P. populi larvae and pupae were collected from poplar stump shoots and examined in a laboratory. As a result, eleven parasitoid species were established: Chorebus albipes (Haliday) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), Pediobius metallicus (Nees), Danuviella subplana Erdos, Chrysocharis nephereus (Walker), Chrysocharis pubicornis (Zetterstedt), Diglyphus crassinervis Erdos, Diglyphus isaea (Walker), Diglyphus albiscapus Erdos, Cirrospilus diallus Walker, Cirrospilus pictus (Nees) (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) and Elasmus sp. (Hymenoptera, Elasmidae). Six species (D. crassinervis, D. isaea, D. albiscapus, C. diallus, C. pictus and Elasmus sp.) have been recorded as new parasitoids of P. populi. The genus Danuviella was found for the first time in Bulgaria. Five species (C. albipes, P. metallicus, D. subplana, D. crassinervis and D. albiscapus) are new records for the fauna of the country. The total mortality of P. populi caused by parasitoids was 19.1% and 49.0% for the overwintering and the summer generations, respectively. P. metallicus was the most important in reducing the pest number.     

First record of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Syria

The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda is a lepidopteran pest that can damage and destroy a wide variety of crops. It is widely present in the Americans and has been invasive in Africa since 2016. Larvae of S. frugiperda were found for the first time in four rural farms on maize plants (Zea mays) located in Tafas town (Dara’a Governorate, in the south‐west of Syria) in November 2020. Infested maize showed the typical damage symptoms caused by S. frugiperda. Furthermore, morphological identification of larvae based on standard parameters of larvae confirmed the identity of the pest as fall armyworm. Considering the recent introduction of the pest into the EPPO region, it could be concluded that the pest probably entered Syria through natural spread (active flight and via wind currents) from Jordan, which borders Syria in the southern part and where the pest was found very recently.     

New parasitoids of Paraphytomyza populi (Kltb.) (Diptera, Agromyzidae) in Bulgaria

The parasitoid complex of Paraphytomyza populi (Kltb.) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) was studied in Sofia, Bulgaria in 1997. Poplar leaves with P. populi larvae and pupae were collected from poplar stump shoots and examined in a laboratory. As a result, eleven parasitoid species were established: Chorebus albipes (Haliday) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), Pediobius metallicus (Nees), Danuviella subplana Erdos, Chrysocharis nephereus (Walker), Chrysocharis pubicornis (Zetterstedt), Diglyphus crassinervis Erdos, Diglyphus isaea (Walker), Diglyphus albiscapus Erdos, Cirrospilus diallus Walker, Cirrospilus pictus (Nees) (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) and Elasmus sp. (Hymenoptera, Elasmidae). Six species (D. crassinervis, D. isaea, D. albiscapus, C. diallus, C. pictus and Elasmus sp.) have been recorded as new parasitoids of P. populi. The genus Danuviella was found for the first time in Bulgaria. Five species (C. albipes, P. metallicus, D. subplana, D. crassinervis and D. albiscapus) are new records for the fauna of the country. The total mortality of P. populi caused by parasitoids was 19.1% and 49.0% for the overwintering and the summer generations, respectively. P. metallicus was the most important in reducing the pest number.     

Biology,revised taxonomy and impact on host plants of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ophelimus maskelli</Emphasis>, an invasive gall inducer on<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis> spp. in the Mediterranean Area

Ophelimus maskelli (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), an invasive species in the Mediterranean area that occurs naturally onEucalyptus camaldulensis at Wagga Wagga in New South Wales, was studied in Israel on the same host plant. The most distinctive characteristic ofO. maskelli as compared with other congeners is the presence of only a single seta on the submarginal vein.O. maskelli shows a clear tendency to oviposit in developed, immature leaves, and it prefers to oviposit on an area of the leaf blade near the petiole. The female lays an average of 109 eggs when maintained on water alone. The egglaying distribution tended towards aggregation, and the same tendency has also been observed within and among trees. The wasp prefers to attack the lower canopy. The gall diameter ranged from 1.2 to 0.9 mm, and gall density from 11.5 to 36.0 galls cm⁻², respectively. The typical color of the gall appeared as soon as third instar larva developed. Galls on shaded leaves remained green or greenish-yellow, whereas those that were exposed to the sun were reddish.O. maskelli produces three generations per year in Israel. High flight occurs among the spring generations, starting in early March. The wasps were attracted to green sticky plates much more than to the other tested colors. Heavy galling byO. maskelli results in premature shedding of the leaves, soon after the emergence of the wasps. Among the 84 eucalyptus species tested, the following 14 species were found to be suitable hosts:E. botryoides, E. bridgesiana, E. camaldulensis, E. cinerea, E. globulus, E. gunii, E. nicholii, E. pulverulenta, E. robusta, E. rudis, E. saligna, E. tereticornis andE. viminalis. This study focused on morphological and development characters that can clearly distinguishO. maskelli fromOphelimus eucalypti Gahan, and on examining the effect of crossing between eucalyptus species on the development possibilities of the wasps. Also considered were the effect of the food on adult survival, the competition between the eulophid gall makerLeptocybe invasa Fisher & LaSalle andO. maskelli, the heavy damage inflicted on eucalyptus, and the health problems and nuisance to people caused by the wasp near heavily infested trees during the mass emergence of adults. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 5, 2006.     

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.     

Seven invasive owlet moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Israel and their potential parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea)

Invasive tropical Noctuidae pest species collected in Israel included Spodoptera mauritia (Boisduval), Trichoplusia vittata (Wallengren), Anomis flava (Fabricius), Anomis sabulifera (Guenée), Earias vittella (Fabricius), Earias biplaga Walker, and Earias cupreoviridis (Walker). All seven noctuid species were rare and sporadically present only along the coastal plain. Possible reasons for this type of distribution are discussed. Abundance was greatest in May with smaller peaks present in February–March and September. Several common parasitoid species – Elasmus flabellatus (Fonscolombe), Elasmus nudus (Nees) and Elasmus viridiceps Thomson (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), with potential as biological control agents for tropical noctuids, are detected in Israel.