First report of an egg parasitoid reared from Neomusotima conspurcatalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), a biological control agent of Lygodium microphyllum (Schizaeales: Lygodiaceae)

Authors

  • Ellen C. Lake USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, 3225 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314, USA
  • Michael W. Gates USDA-ARS Systematic Entomology Laboratory, P.O. Box 37012, c/o National Museum of Natural History, MRC 168, Washington, District of Columbia 20013-7012, USA
  • Melissa C. Smith USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, 3225 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314, USA
  • Gloria L. Witkus
  • Paul D. Pratt USDA-ARS Exotic and Invasive Weeds Research Unit, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, California 94710, USA

Keywords:

egg parasitism, Trichogramma, Old World climbing fern, weed biological control

Abstract

Neomusotima conspurcatalis Warren (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) was first released in Florida, USA, as a biological control agent of Lygodium microphyllum (Cavanilles) R. Brown (Schizaeales: Lygodiaceae), Old World climbing fern, in 2008. The first egg parasitoid, a Trichogramma sp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), was reared from N. conspurcatalis in 2013. The parasitoid is widely distributed in south Florida, where its egg mass parasitism rates can reach 100%.

 

Sumario

Neomusotima conspurcatalis Warren (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) fue liberado por primera vez en la Florida, EE.UU., como un agente de control biológico de Lygodium microphyllum (Cavanilles) R. Brown (Polypodiales: Lygodiaceae), el helecho trepador del Viejo Mundo, en 2008. El primer parasitoide de huevos, un Trichogramma sp., fue criadocriado de N. conspurcatalis en 2013. El parasitoide se distribuye ampliamente en el sur de Florida, donde sus tasas de parasitismo de masas de huevos pueden llegar al 100%.

 

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Published

2015-09-30

Issue

Vol. 98, No. 4 (December 2015)

Section

Scientific Notes

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