First record of Ooencyrtus nezarae (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a parasitoid of Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) in Florida

Authors

  • Worrel A. Diedrick Florida A&M University, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Center for Biological Control, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
  • Lambert H. B. Kanga Florida A&M University, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Center for Biological Control, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
  • Muhammad Haseeb Florida A&M University, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Center for Biological Control, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
  • Jesusa Legaspi USDA Agricultural Research Service, CMAVE, Tallahassee, Florida 32308, USA
  • Mrittunjai Srivastava Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA

Abstract

During our study on egg parasitoids of the kudzu bug in Florida, we collected egg masses of Megacopta cribraria on kudzu and catnip for laboratory rearing. We found a new egg parasitoid, Ooencyrtus nezarae on M. cribraria, which represents the first Florida record of this parasitoid species. The wasp is widely distributed in Asia, and it will strengthen biological control of the kudzu bug in Florida. Future studies will assess comparative parasitism levels of Paratelenomus saccharalis and O. nezarae, as well as the dynamics of populations of these biological control agents.

Resumen

Durante nuestro estudio sobre los parasitoides de huevos del chinche del kudzu en la Florida, recolectamos masas de huevos de Megacopta cribraria sobre el kudzu y la hierba gatera para la cría en laboratorio. Encontramos un nuevo parasitoide de huevo, Ooencyrtus nezarae en M. cribraria, que representa el primer registro de esta especie parasitoide en la Florida. La avispa está ampliamente distribuida en Asia y fortalecerá el control biológico del chinche del kudzu en la Florida. Los estudios futuros evaluarán los niveles de parasitismo comparativo de Paratelenomus saccharalis y O. nezarae, así como la dinámica de las poblaciones de estos agentes de control biológico.

Key Words: kudzu bug; egg parasitoid

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Author Biography

Lambert H. B. Kanga, Florida A&M University, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Center for Biological Control, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA

Department of Entomology Professor

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Published

2020-07-10

Issue

Vol. 103, No. 2 (June 2020)

Section

Scientific Notes

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