Egg parasitoids of Megamelus spp. (Hemiptera:Delphacidae) in Argentina

Authors: TRIAPITSYN, SERGUEI - University Of California; SOSA, ALEJANDRO - South American Biological Control Lab(SABCL); HERNANDEZ, M. CRISTINA - South American Biological Control Lab(SABCL)

Submitted to: Argentina Entomological Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/29/2010
Publication Date: 12/1/2010
Citation: Triapitsyn, S.V., Sosa, A.J., Hernandez, M. 2010. Egg parasitoids of Megamelus spp. (Hemiptera:Delphacidae) in Argentina. Revista De La Sociedad Entomologica Argentina. 69(3-4):171-188.

Interpretive Summary: We collected egg parasitoids (wasps emerged from eggs of another insect, the host) from two planthoppers. One of these planthoppers is being tested as a candidate for biological control of waterhyacinth in the USA. The emerged wasps are new to science, so we described and named them. All insects were collected in the surrounding area of Buenos Aires city, in a wetland region called Delta del Paraná. We also discussed the similarities with other known parasitoids of these planthoppers and those similar ones from USA.

Technical Abstract: Egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae, Mymaridae, and Platygastridae) of Megamelus spp. (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) in Argentina are reviewed and keyed. Newly described are Anagrus (Anagrus) empanadus Triapitsyn, sp. n. (Mymaridae, parasitoid of M. scutellaris Berg on water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes), Aprostocetus (Ootetrastichus) riverplaticus Triapitsyn, sp. n. (Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae, parasitoid of M. bellicus Marino de Remes Lenicov & Sosa), and A. (Ootetrastichus) yerbamatei Triapitsyn, sp. n. (parasitoid of M. scutellaris and Megamelus sp.), all from Buenos Aires Province. Other known egg parasitoids of Megamelus spp. in Argentina include Kalopolynema poema Triapitsyn & Berezovskiy (Mymaridae) and Parascelio sp. (Platygastridae: Scelioninae).