Natural egg parasitism by Scelionidae on a Phycitine cactus moth in Mexico

Authors

  • Maythe Morales -Galvez Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Departmento de Parasitología, Saltillo, Coahuila, 25315, Mexico
  • Renato Villegas-Lujan Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Departmento de Parasitología, Saltillo, Coahuila, 25315, Mexico
  • Robert Plowes University of Texas at Austin, Department of Integrative Biology, Austin, Texas 78712, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5803-755X
  • Lawrence Gilbert University of Texas at Austin, Department of Integrative Biology, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
  • Tanner Matson 3 University of Connecticut, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3043, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7560-7294
  • Gabriel Gallegos-Morales Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Departmento de Parasitología, Saltillo, Coahuila, 25315, Mexico
  • Sergio Sanchez-Peña Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Departmento de Parasitología, Saltillo, Coahuila, 25315, Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1505-8657

Abstract

The detection of native natural enemies that can use Cactoblastis cactorum as a host is relevant after its invasion of North America. We detected wasps (Scelionidae) parasitizing eggs of Melitara cf. junctolineella (a closely related cactus moth in the Phycitini) in Bustamante, Nuevo Leon, northeastern Mexico. This is the first report of Scelionidae parasitizing eggs of phycitine cactus moths. The capability of this wasp to parasitize C. cactorum eggs should be investigated.

 

Sumario

La detección de enemigos naturales nativos que pueden utilizar a Cactoblastis cactorum como hospedero, es relevante tras su invasión a Norteamérica. Detectamos avispas (Scelionidae) parasitando huevos de Melitara cf. junctolineella (una polilla del cactus en Phycitini estrechamente relacionada con C. cactorum) en Bustamante, Nuevo Leon, noreste de México. Este es el primer reporte de Scelionidae parasitando huevos de polillas del cactus (Phycitini). Debe investigarse la capacidad de esta avispa para parasitar los huevos de C. cactorum.

Key Words: agriculture; desert; invasive species; North America; herbivore; biological control

View this article in BioOne https://doi.org/10.1653/024.105.0212

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Published

2022-06-28

Issue

Vol. 105, No. 2 (June 2022)

Section

Scientific Notes

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