The introduction and establishment of Campsomeris dorsata (Hymenoptera: Scoliidae) in Florida

Authors

  • Anthony Paul Abbate University of Florida
  • Joshua Campbell University of Florida, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
  • Jon Bremer University of Florida, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA;
  • William H Kern University of Florida, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA;

Keywords:

wasp, sugar cane, turf, dunes, biological control, survey

Abstract

Campsomeris dorsata is a hymenopteran scoliid that is endemic to South America, Central America, and parts of the West Indies. It has been used as a biological control agent in the past in Puerto Rico, Mauritius, and Florida to aid in reducing coleopteran pests in sugar cane agricultural systems. The status of C. dorsata’s establishment in Florida has been unknown since intentional introductions to sugarcane fields occurring during the 1930s. We surveyed primarily coastal sites throughout the state of Florida and captured 91 females ranging from Osceola County to Miami-Dade County (north vs south) and from Broward County to Collier County (east vs west). The results from this study show that C. dorsata is well established in these areas of Florida, and might still be an important biological control agent of white grubs in sugar cane as well as turf production and maintenance.

 

 

Sumario

Campsomeris dorsata es un scoliid himenóptero endémico de América del Sur, América Central y partes de las Indias Occidentales. Se ha utilizado en el pasado como un agente de control biológico en Puerto Rico, Mauricio y la Florida para ayudar a reducir las plagas de coleópteros en los sistemas agrícolas de caña de azúcar. Se desconoce el estado del establecimiento de C. dorsata en la Florida desde que se realizaron introducciones intencionales a los campos de caña de azúcar durante la década del 1930. Examinamos principalmente sitios costeros en todo el estado de Florida y capturamos 91 hembras, desde el condado de Osceola hasta el condado de Miami-Dade (norte versus sur) y desde el condado de Broward hasta el condado de Collier (este y oeste). Los resultados de este estudio muestran que C. dorsata está bien establecida en estas áreas de Florida, y aún podría ser un importante agente de control biológico de gusano blancos (Scarabaeidae) en la caña de azúcar, así como en la producción y mantenimiento del césped.

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Author Biography

Anthony Paul Abbate, University of Florida

Entomology & Nematology Department. Graduate Research Assistant.

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Published

2019-04-27

Issue

Vol. 101, No. 3 (September 2018)

Section

Scientific Notes

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