Abstract
Larvae of Strobilomyia flies (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) are serious pests in conifer-seed orchards because they feed on the seed inside the cones. Figitid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea) of Strobilomyia larvae in conifer cones are commonly reported but under various generic names. It is argued here that, across the entire Holarctic region, these figitids belong to Amphithectus and perhaps also to Sarothrus (Figitinae), but not to Melanips (Aspicerinae), contrary to some reports. We conclude that the identity of the commonly found figitid associated with conifer cones (Larix and Picea) in Europe and Asia is Amphithectus austriacus (Tavares, 1928) comb. n. This is most likely considering the original description and the host association, although the type specimen of Seitneria austriaca Tavares, 1928 is lost. This species name takes priority over the recently described Amphithectus coriaceus Paretas-Martinez & Pujade-Villar, 2013. Seitneria Tavares, 1928 becomes a new junior synonym of Amphithectus Hartig, 1840, and Amphithectus coriaceus Paretas-Martinez & Pujade-Villar, 2013 becomes a new synonym of Amphithectus austriacus (Tavares, 1928) comb. n.
Highlights
Conifer cones host a diverse community of phytophagous insects and their natural enemies (Stadnitsky, 1969; Turgeon et al, 1994)
Species of Figitidae (Cynipoidea) are known to attack Strobilomyia fly larvae in cones of coniferous trees (“cone maggots”), both larches (Larix) and spruces (Picea), in Europe (Tavares, 1928; Stadnitzskii et al, 1978; Annila, 1981; Pulkkinen, 1989; Roques & von Hirschheydt, 1990; Brockerhoff & Kenis, 1997b; Belova et al, 1998), North America (Fidgen et al, 1999; Sweeney et al, 2001) and
Figitid specimens reared from Strobilomyia in Europe have been referred to as Seitneria austriaca from larch (Tavares, 1928; Roques & Hirschheydt, 1990), Melanips austriacus from larch (Pulkkinen, 1989), Sarothrus sp. from spruce (Stadnitzskii et al, 1978; Brockerhoff & Kenis, 1997), Melanips sp. from spruce (Annila, 1981) and Sarothrus abietis from spruce (Stadnitzskii et al, 1978)
Summary
Conifer cones host a diverse community of phytophagous insects and their natural enemies (Stadnitsky, 1969; Turgeon et al, 1994). Reduced seed production caused by insects is a serious problem for forest regeneration that relies on seeds from genetically improved trees grown in seed orchards (Turgeon et al, 1994; Rosenberg et al, 2015). These seeds are primarily used in nurseries for the production of seedlings that are planted in regeneration areas after harvesting the previous forest stand (Nilsson et al, 2010). This study deals with the identity of certain parasitoids of anthomyiid flies of the genus Strobilomyia, which are among the more serious pest insects of conifer cones in temperate regions (Brockerhoff & Kenis, 1997b). Species of Figitidae (Cynipoidea) are known to attack Strobilomyia fly larvae in cones of coniferous trees (“cone maggots”), both larches (Larix) and spruces (Picea), in Europe (Tavares, 1928; Stadnitzskii et al, 1978; Annila, 1981; Pulkkinen, 1989; Roques & von Hirschheydt, 1990; Brockerhoff & Kenis, 1997b; Belova et al, 1998), North America (Fidgen et al, 1999; Sweeney et al, 2001) and
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