Distribution of Cotesia rubecula (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Its Displacement of Cotesia glomerata in Eastern North America

Authors

  • M. V. Herlihy
  • R. G. Van Driesche
  • M. R. Abney
  • J. Brodeur
  • A. B. Bryant
  • R. A. Casagrande
  • D. A. Delaney
  • T.E. Elkner
  • S. J. Fleischer
  • R. L. Groves
  • D. S. Gruner
  • J. P. Harmon
  • G. E. Heimpel
  • K. Hemady
  • T. P. Kuhar
  • C. M. Maund
  • A. M. Shelton
  • A. J. Seaman
  • M. Skinner
  • R. Weinzierl
  • K. V. Yeargan
  • Z. Szendrei

Abstract

A survey was conducted from May to Oct of 2011 of the parasitoid community of the imported cabbageworm, Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), in cole crops in part of the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. The findings of our survey indicate that Cotesia rubecula (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) now occurs as far west as North Dakota and has become the dominant parasitoid of P. rapae in the northeastern and north central United States and adjacent parts of southeastern Canada, where it has displaced the previously common parasitoid Cotesia glomerata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Cotesia glomerata remains the dominant parasitoid in the mid-Atlantic states, from Virginia to North Carolina and westward to southern Illinois, below latitude N 38° 48’. This pattern suggests that the released populations of C. rubecula presently have a lower latitudinal limit south of which they are not adapted.

Se realizó un sondeo de la comunidad de parasitoides del gusano importado del repollo, Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), en los cultivos de crucíferas en una parte del este de los Estados Unidos y del sureste de Canadá desde mayo hasta octubre del 2011. Se encontró que Cotesia rubecula (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), ahora se ha extendido hasta el oeste de Dakota del Norte y se ha convertido en el parasitoide dominante de P. rapae en el noreste y el norte central de los Estados Unidos y en los partes adyacentes del sureste de Canadá, donde ha desplazado al parasitoide anteriormente común, Cotesia glomerata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Cotesia glomerata sigue siendo el parasitoide dominante en los estados del Atlántico medio, desde Virginia hasta Carolina del Norte y hacia el oeste hasta el sur de Illinois, bajo la latitud N 38° 48’. Nosotros interpretamos este patrón que indica que las poblaciones liberadas de C. rubecula en la actualidad tiene un límite inferior de latitud mas al sur del que están adaptados.

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Published

2012-06-01

Issue

Vol. 95, No. 2 (June 2012)

Section

Research Papers

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