Family Braconidae Research Articles

Contribution to the knowledge of the parasitoid fauna of sawflies (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) mining leaves of forest plants in Hungary

Background and Purpose: Despite the importance of studying the native enemy complex of the introduced and invasive leaf miner sawfly species in their native territories, few studies have been done in recent years concerning the species component and the regulating potential of their parasitoid complexes (in both native and invaded area). Heterarthrus vagans and Fenusa dohrnii are only some of the species which are native in Palearctic area, but alien invasive in North America, causing damage on forest plantations. In this short paper we provide our original data to the knowledge of parasitoid fauna associated with seven leaf mining sawflies native in Hungary. Material and Methods: For a period of four years (2011-2014), several leaf miner species were collected and placed in single mine rearings. From the leafminers, belonging to the Tenthredinidae family, a total of 809 mines made by 9 different species (Heterarthrus wuestneii, Fenusa dohrnii, Heterarthrus vagans, Fenusa pumila, Fenusella nana, Profenusa pygmaea, Metallus pumilus, Parna apicalis, Fenusa ulmi) were collected from 19 locations across Hungary. Results and Conclusion: A total of 188 specimens of 13 parasitoid species belonging to 3 families (Braconidae - 1; Ichneumonidae - 1 and Eulophidae - 11) were reared out from our samples. Parasitoid adults were obtained from 7 of the 9 species of leaf mining sawfly hosts (Fenusa dohrnii, Fenusa pumila, Fenusa ulmi, Heterarthrus vagans, Metallus pumilus, Parna apicalis, Profenusa pygmaea). From Heterarthrus wuestneii and Fenusella nana no parasitoid adults emerged.The parasitoid species presented in this work are typically associated with leaf mining sawflies. Several new host-parasitoid associations have been described.

Keanekaragaman Serangga Hama dan Musuh Alami pada Lahan Pertanaman Kedelai di Kecamatan Balong-Ponorogo

The study aims to determine the presence of pests and natural enemies on soybean plants and to study the effect of insecticides on the diversity. Methods for observation of insects was done by using different type of traps i.e. yellow pan trap, pitfall trap, light trap, sweeping net and direct observation (visual). The presence of pests and natural enemies of soybean plants on plots without insecticide was lower than on the plots that was treated with insecticide. Composition of the population of pests found in soybean plots that were not treated with insecticide were dominated by Aphis sp. followed by Phaedonia inclusa, Riptortus linearis, Nezara viridula and Ophiomyia phaseoli. Composition of the population of natural enemies (predators) found in soybean cropps that were not treated with insecticide was family Coccinellidae followed by Syrphidae, Chrysopidae, Mantidae and Oxyopidae. The highest composition of natural enemies (parasites) found in treated and untreated soybean plots were family Braconidae then followed by family Ichneumonidae.

Predators and Parasitoids Associated with Scolytinae inPerseaSpecies (Laurales: Lauraceae) and Other Lauraceae in Florida and Taiwan

The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), due to its association with Raffaelea lauricola T.C. Harr., Fraedrich & Aghayeva (Ophiostomatales: Ophiostomataceae), a pathogen that causes laurel wilt, is considered one of the most damaging pests of Persea species (Laurales: Lauraceae) including avocado. Currently, there is no satisfactory method to control this pest. Biological control is being examined as an additional tool to be used to lower the pest population and slow its spread. The objective of this study was to determine the natural enemy community associated with X. glabratus in Florida and Taiwan by using 3 methods: 1) field-collected wood naturally infested with X. glabratus (Florida), 2) bolts of avocado artificially infested with X. glabratus (Florida) and 3) direct collection of natural enemies from a trap area baited with infested wood and known X. glabratus lures (Florida and Taiwan). Among the predacious insects, there were 8 species of Laemophloeidae, an unidentified species of Staphylinidae, Microsicus spp. (Zopheridae), and Europs sp. (Monotomidae) (all Coleoptera). Among the parasitoids, hymenopterans of the families Braconidae, Eulophidae, Pteromalidae, Encyrtidae, Eupelmidae, and Bethylidae emerged from wood containing various species of Scolytinae. However, the only specimens that emerged from logs in which X. glabratus was present were Bethylidae, Braconidae, Encyrtidae (perhaps Closterocerus sp.), and Scelionidae. Four hymenopteran species were collected using attractants in Florida and Taiwan. However, more studies are needed to clarify their role as natural enemies of X. glabratus.

An additional list with new records of braconid wasps of the family braconidae (Hymenoptera) from Vietnam

An additional list with new records of braconid wasps of the family braconidae (Hymenoptera) from Vietnam

<b>Biological control of phytophagous arthropods in the physic nut tree <i>Jatropha curcas</i> L. in Brazil

Jatropha curcas has a high biofuel oil content, which could replace polluting fuels, and has great potential for large scale monoculture cultivation in the conventional system. We explored the occurrence, spatial distribution and the functional response of the main phytophagous species of this plant and their natural enemies to explore the potential for conservative biological control. We began sampling phytophagous species and predators when J. curcas plants were six months old. The most common species of phytophagous insects were nymphs and adults of Empoasca kraemeri, followed by Frankliniella schultzei and Myzus persicae. Among the predators, Ricoseius loxocheles, Iphiseioides zuluagai, Araneidae, larvae and adults of Psyllobora vigintimaculata and Anthicus sp. were the most frequently encountered. The most common parasitoids were the families Encyrtidae and Braconidae. The highest densities of E. kraemeri and F. schultzei on the edges of the J. curcas crop follow spatial patterns similar to those of their natural enemies I. zuluagai and Anthicus sp. These arthropods can be considered efficient predators of immature stages of E. kraemeri and F. schultzei on J. curcas.

New faunistic data on the family Braconidae (Hymenoptera) from Korea

Twenty-one species of the four genera in the family Braconidae (Hymenoptera) are reported for the first time in Korea. These species belong to the subfamily Euphorinae (Braconidae). Faunistic and distribution data are included.

Widespread genome reorganization of an obligate virus mutualist.

The family Polydnaviridae is of interest because it provides the best example of viruses that have evolved a mutualistic association with their animal hosts. Polydnaviruses in the genus Bracovirus are strictly associated with parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, and evolved ∼100 million years ago from a nudivirus. Each wasp species relies on its associated bracovirus to parasitize hosts, while each bracovirus relies on its wasp for vertical transmission. Prior studies establish that bracovirus genomes consist of proviral segments and nudivirus-like replication genes, but how these components are organized in the genomes of wasps is unknown. Here, we sequenced the genome of the wasp Microplitis demolitor to characterize the proviral genome of M. demolitor bracovirus (MdBV). Unlike nudiviruses, bracoviruses produce virions that package multiple circular, double-stranded DNAs. DNA segments packaged into MdBV virions resided in eight dispersed loci in the M. demolitor genome. Each proviral segment was bounded by homologous motifs that guide processing to form mature viral DNAs. Rapid evolution of proviral segments obscured homology between other bracovirus-carrying wasps and MdBV. However, some domains flanking MdBV proviral loci were shared with other species. All MdBV genes previously identified to encode proteins required for replication were identified. Some of these genes resided in a multigene cluster but others, including subunits of the RNA polymerase that transcribes structural genes and integrases that process proviral segments, were widely dispersed in the M. demolitor genome. Overall, our results indicate that genome dispersal is a key feature in the evolution of bracoviruses into mutualists.

New records of the genus Iporhogas Granger (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Rogadinae) from Vietnam, with description of four new species.

The genus Iporhogas Granger, 1949 (Braconidae: Rogadinae) is recorded for the first time for Vietnam. Four new species of the genus Iporhogas, viz. Iporhogas albilateralis sp. n., I. contrastus sp. n., I. simulatus sp. n. and I. tricoloratus sp. n., from Vietnam are described and illustrated, and additionally, one species, Iporhogas guangxiensis Chen & He, 1997, is newly recorded for Vietnam’s fauna of the family Braconidae. A key to the five Vietnamese species of the genus Iporhogas and a checklist with distributions of the ten species are provided.

Reversion of developmental mode in insects: evolution from long germband to short germband in the polyembrionic wasp Macrocentrus cingulum Brischke.

Germband size in insects has played a central role in our understanding of insect patterning mechanisms and their evolution. The polarity of evolutionary change in insect patterning has been viewed so far as the unidirectional shift from the ancestral short germband patterning of basal hemimetabolous insects to the long germband patterning observed in most modern Holometabola. However, some orders of holometabolic insects display both short and long germband development, though the absence of a clear phylogenetic context does not permit definite conclusions on the polarity of change. Derived hymenoptera, that is, bees and wasps, represent a classical textbook example of long germband development. Yet, in some wasps putative short germband development has been described correlating with lifestyle changes, namely with evolution of endoparasitism and polyembryony. To address the potential reversion from long to short germband, we focused on the family Braconidae, which displays ancestral long germband development, and examined the derived polyembryonic braconid Macrocentrus cingulum. Using SEM analysis of M. cingulum embryogenesis coupled with analyses of embryonic patterning markers, we show that this wasp evolved short germband embryogenesis secondarily, in a way that is reminiscent of embryogenesis in the beetle Tribolium castaneum. This work shows that the evolution of germband size in insects is a reversible process that may correlate with other life-history traits and suggests broader implications on the mechanisms and evolvability of insect development.

HYMENOPTEROUS BIOPESTICIDES AND THEIR PRELIMINARY BIOCONTROL POTENTIAL FROM WESTERN MAHARSHTRA INCLUDING GHATS

Hymenpterous parasitoids are biopesticides scattered in the environment which develop on pest insects and kill them. The use of pesticides leads tremendous pressure on various ecosystems causing pest resistance, secondary pest outbreak, pest resurgence, pollution, health hazards and destruction to ecocycles. Hence, biopesticides (parasitoids) play a very crucial role in pest control and keeping environment ecofriendly. A total of 96 hymenopterous parasitoids belonging to 6 prominent families namely, Ichneumonidae, Braconidae, Chalcidae, Eulophidae, Trichogrammatidae and Aphelinidae were recorded parasitizing and killing various insect pests both from plain and forest (Western Ghats) ecosystems. The family Braconidae was dominant over others by the number of individuals (39) parasitizing pest insects. Second dominant family was Ichneumonidae with 36 species followed by Eulophidae, Trichogrammatidae, Chalcidae and Aphelinidae by the numbers 7, 7, 6 and 1 respectively. The results also indicated that 84 species of parasitoids were common, 12 rare and parasitized and killed more than 40 species of insect pests.

Biodiversidad de Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea) en México

We revise the taxonomic richness of the parasitoid wasp family Braconidae in Mexico. The main regional and national faunistic and the most relevant taxonomic studies for Braconidae in this country are given. A total of 704 described species of Braconidae belonging to 318 genera and 35 subfamilies have been reported in the Mexican territory.

Natural parasitism of Braconidae and Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) on Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Parasitoids Hymenoptera of the families Braconidae and Ichneumonidae were collected, also was determinate their natural parasitism on fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the Durango valley region, Mexico. The Braconids species found were: Chelonus insularis (= texanus), Ch. cautus and two species of Meteorus sp., and of Ichneumonidae: Pristomerus spinator and Campoletis sonorensis. In the spring-summer cycle 2012, were collected 1,600 larvae at four locations within the region with altitude range of 1,876-1,973 masl; from these, 316 larvae showed parasitism, which represents a level of natural parasitism on fall armyworm larvae of 19.75%. C. sonorensis was the most abundant specie in J. Gpe. Aguilera (44.25%) to 1,952 masl, while the less abundant was Meteorus sp.1 (2.25%) in Lerdo de Tejada to 1,883 masl. Ch. insularis was present in four localities around area of 5, 543.1 km2, with a larval parasitism levels of 6.75 to 19%. The other five species of parasitoids are considered new reports in the studied area. This work is a contribution to the knowledge of the family Braconidae and Ichneumonidae parasitoids, and their parasitism level on the armyworm in Durango, Mexico.

Studies on the Parasitoids of the Serpentine Leaf Miner, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) in Tomato Ecosystem under Mid Hill Condition of Himachal Pradesh

The species diversity of parasitoids of the serpentine leaf miner, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) in tomato ecosystem was conducted under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh during 2008–2010. The tomato leaves were collected periodically from June to September from three strata i.e. bottom, middle and top portion of the plants at random. During the course of study four species of larval parasitoids viz., Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood), Diglyphus sp., Asecodes sp. and Chrysocharis sp. belonging to the family Eulophidae and one species of larval-pupal parasitoid, Opius sp. belonging to the family Braconidae were identified. These parasitoids were active throughout the cropping season and the parasitization ranged from 6.0 - 21.1, 19.4 - 28.6 and 13.6 - 23.1 per cent during 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. It was maximum (20.1 - 28.6%) during the month of August. Marginally higher parasitization (14.3 - 26.7%) was observed in the middle stratum of the foliage than in top (11.1 - 24.0%) or bottom (6.7 - 20.0%) stratum during all the three years of study. Among the larval parasitoids, N. formosa was the predominant species (81.5%), whereas, other parasitoids such as Diglyphus sp., Chrysocharis sp. and Asecodes sp. comprised of 7.4, 7.4 and 3.7 per cent of the total population of the larval parasitoids.

EFEK PERPADUAN BEBERAPA TUMBUHAN LIAR DI SEKITAR AREA PERTANAMAN PADI DALAM MENARIK ARTHROPODA MUSUH ALAMI DAN HAMA

<em>This study aims to determine the interest Arthropoda against some wild mix consisting of Chromolaena odorata, Bidens pilosa., Echinochloa Cruss-galli, and Pistia stratiotes. This research is a semi experimental parameters observed were differences in the abundance of arthropods in each observation plot good plot consisting of some combination of wild plants (block refugia) and plot a block away from refugia based on spatial and temporal distribution. Observations using the "visual control" developed Freie and Manhart (1992). Achieved 9 order Arthropoda consists of 32 families were recorded visiting a mix of wild plants, the Coccinellidae, Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Chrysomelidae, Curculionidae, Coenagrionidae, Libellulidae, Tettigonidae, Gryllidae, Acrididae, Mantidae, Syrphidae, Drosophilidae, Tipulidae, Formicidae, Vespidae, Sphecidae, Ichneumonidae, Braconidae, Pyralidae, Papilionidae, Noctuidae, Nymphalidae, Alydidae, Pentatomidae, Reduviidae, Cicadellidae, Delphacidae, Flatidae, Tetragnathidae, and Oxyopidae. The mean abundance was highest in plots dominated by observation block refugia of the family Coccinellidae arthropods that act as natural enemies with a mean abundance reached 29 individuals per day. While the family Reduviidae which acts as a pest has the lowest with a mean abundance value of 1 individual per day. The analysis shows there are 6 families Arthropod natural enemies and pests that show distribution patterns are influenced by the presence of a mix of wild plants (the spatial distribution pattern) and different observation time (temporal distribution pattern), from the family Coccinellidae, Ichneumonidae, Braconidae, Acrididdae, Drosophilidae and Coreidae with a P value <0.05.</em>

Parasitoids of Monochamus galloprovincialis (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae), vector of the pine wood nematode, with identification key for the Palaearctic region

The parasitoid complex associated with Monochamus galloprovincialis (Olivier), vector of the pine wood nematode, is discussed. Four species of the family Braconidae and one Ichneumonidae were found associated with Monochamus galloprovincialis in Portugal, namely Atanycolus denigrator (Linnaeus), Atanycolus ivanowi (Kokujev), Cyanopterus flavator (Fabricius), Doryctes striatellus (Nees) (Braconidae), and Xorides depressus (Holmgren) (Ichneumonidae). Atanycolus ivanowi, Atanycolus denigrator, Doryctes striatellus and Xorides depressus are new species for Portugal fauna, and Monochamus galloprovincialis is recorded as a new host of Xorides depressus. A key for determination of the ichneumonoid parasitoids of the pine sawyer is provided for the Palaearctic fauna.

Parasitóides (Braconidae) associados à Anastrepha (Tephritidae) em frutos hospedeiros do litoral sul da Bahia

Among the organisms acting in the natural biological control of tephritids, members of the family Braconidae are the most active form of natural parasite, and in Neotropical regions, members of Opiinae are the main control agents of Anastrepha. The objective of this work was to discover the percentage of parasitism and the species of braconid associated with fruit trees growing in cities on the southern coast of Bahia. During the period of August, 2005 to March, 2008, hosts fruits of fruit flies from several plant species were collected and from the fruits the following species of Anastrepha were obtained: A. fraterculus, A. obliqua, A. bahiensis, A. serpentina, A. sororcula and A. zenildae. Of the total of 838 specimens of braconids, 21.36% were of the species Utetes anastrephae (Viereck), obtained from yellow mombin, carambola, guava, mango and pitanga; 4.42% were of the species Asobara anastrephae (Muesebeck) obtained from the fruits of the yellow mombin, carambola and guava, and only one example of Opius bellus Gahan (0.12%) that came from a guava sample. The species Doryctobracon areolatus (Szepligeti) (74.10%) was predominant and emerged from puparia from all the host fruits collected, probably due to the greater efficiency of this species in locating tephritid larvae. The mean percentage of parasitism by Anastrepha spp. was 4.45%.

Cretaceous Braconid Wasps from the Magadan Province of Russia

The Cretaceous genera of the hymenopteran family Braconidae are discussed. Overall, eight braconid subfamilies, including two only known from this period, and 17 genera together with two having unclear subfamily position, have been recorded in Cretaceous period. Two new genera, Magadanobracon gen. nov. (with two species, Magadanobracon rasnitsyni sp. nov. and M. zherikhini sp. nov.) and Cretorhyssalus gen. nov. (with type species Cretorhyssalus brevis sp. nov.) are described. The discussed position of the new genera in Protorhyssalinae remains putative owing to a lack of information about multiporous sensillae of the antenna and the poor preservation of the basal half of the hind wing. The earliest recorded thickened hind tibia in the female sex, as a probable apomorphic character of the subfamily Protorhyssalinae, and the evolutionary state of the antefurcal vs. postfurcal positions of the recurrent vein in the fore wing of Braconidae are discussed.

A survey on the overwintering larval parasitoids of Ectomyelois ceratoniae in three regions in Iran

Carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is the most important pest of pomegranate, Punica granatum (Punicaceae), in Iran. The most recommended procedure to control of this pest is collecting and destroying infested fruits in the orchards at the end of cropping season to eliminate overwintering sites. In order to determine the parasitoid species and the parasitism percentage during fall-winter season (2006–2007) a study was conducted in three commercial pomegranate orchards in Varamin, Qom, and Saveh, (central Iran). Our results revealed that E. ceratoniae had numerous parasitoids from the families Braconidae and Ichneumonidae. Apanteles myeloenta Wilkinson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was the most prevalent species among the collected parasitoids in all studied sites. More parasitoids were found in fruits on trees than those on the ground. Fruits on the ground were more infested than fruits on trees. According to our results collecting and destroying the infected fruits in the orchards at the end of cropping season, had negative effects on parasitoids population and diversity.

Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Opiinae, Alysiinae) Reared from Aquatic Leaf-Mining Diptera onLagarosiphon major(Hydrocharitaceae) in South Africa

Three new species belonging to two genera of the family Braconidae (Hymenoptera) are recorded from a dipterous aquatic leaf miner on Lagarosiphon major (Hydrocharitaceae): Ademon lagarosiphonae sp. n. (Opiinae) and Chaenusa anervata sp. n. and C. seminervata sp. n. (Alysiinae: Dacnusini). The genera Ademon Haliday, 1833, and Chaenusa Haliday, 1839, are new for the fauna of South Africa.

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

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%.