Author
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DIAZ, EDGAR - SAN LORENZO, PARAGUAY |
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Smith, David |
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Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 7/12/2000 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: The caterpillar-like larvae of sawflies are a component of the plant-feeding complex of insects that cause millions of dollars of damage each year to agricultural crops, forests, and ornamental plantings. Sawfly larvae were discovered damaging leaves of ornamental villetana trees, a common and important ornamental tree, in Paraguay. Comparison of specimens with related described species revealed that this represented a species new to science. The adults and larvae are described, and notes on the biology are presented. This provides scientists and pest management specialists with information that can be used to identify this harmful species. It also will be of use to APHIS to help prevent accidental introduction of destructive species into the United States. Technical Abstract: A sawfly was discovered severely damaging leaves of villetana trees, triplaris caracasana Cham. (Polygonaceae) in Paraguay. The sawfly, Sericoceros vitellanae Smith, n.sp., is described and separated from other Sericoceros species. Triplaris is a new host record for a species of Sericoceros. Notes on the maternal care, larval feeding habits, and pupation of the sawfly are presented. |
