Larval parasitoids and larval diseases of Malacosoma neustria L. (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) detected in Erzurum Province, Turkey

Abstract

The larval parasitoids and larval diseases of Malacosoma neustria (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) in various host plants were investigated in Erzurum Province, Turkey, during 2004 and 2005. The larval parasitoids were reared in a laboratory, and a total of 29 parasitoid species were established in association with the larvae of M. neustria in the families Tachinidae (Diptera), Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, and Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera). Of the 6 tachinid parasitoids, Pales pavida (Meigen) was the most prevalent species and accounted for 25% of the tachinid records. Among the tachinids, there were 2 new records for the Turkish fauna: Exorista amoena Mesnil and Palesisa nudioculata Villeneuve. Exorista amoena was reared from M. neustria for the first time. The braconid species Meteorus lionotus Thomson and Cotesia vanessa (Reinhard) were also reared from M. neustria for the first time. Among the 10 chalcidoid species reared, Monodontomerus aereus Walker and Brachymeria secundaria (Rusc.) were the most prevalent species. Five chalcidoid species, Asaphes suspensus (Nees), A. vulgaris Walker (Pteromalidae), Brachymeria secundaria (Ruschka) (Chalcididae), Eupelmus urozonus Dalman (Eupelmidae), and Eurytoma verticillata (F.) (Eurytomidae), were reared from M. neustria for the first time. Of the 10 species of ichneumonids reared, Exeristes roborator F. was the most abundant and accounted for 35% of the total ichneumonid records. The total parasitism rate of all parasitoids was 33.7%. As disease agents of M. neustria, the nuclear polyhedrosis virus and 4 pathogenic bacteria, Brevibacillus agri, Alcaligenes xylosoxydans xylosoxydans (Achromobacter xylosoxidans), Bacillus lentimorbus, and Serratia fonticola, were diagnosed. All of the bacteria from M. neustria were recorded for the first time. The percentage of diseased larvae was low, about 3%.