Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #267411
Title: Egg parasitoid of Saccharosydne subandina (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) in Neuquen, Argentina

Author
item TRIAPITSYN, SERGUEI - University Of California
item LOGARZO, GUILLERMO - South American Biological Control Lab(SABCL)
item VIRLA, EDUARDO - Consejo Nacional De Investigaciones Científicas Y Técnicas(CONICET)

Submitted to: Boletin MIP
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2010
Publication Date: 12/1/2010
Citation: Triapitsyn, S.V., Logarzo, G.A., Virla, E.G. 2010. Egg parasitoid of Saccharosydne subandina (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) in Neuquen, Argentina. Boletin MIP. 20:15-16.

Interpretive Summary: Saccharosydne subandina is a recently described planthopper from Argentina which is known to feed on garlic, rye and pampas grass. The research note reports the first known egg parasitoid recorded for this host which might play a role in the natural control of the planthopper in Argentina.

Technical Abstract: Saccharosydne subandina Remes Lenicov & Rossi Batiz is a recently described planthopper from Argentina which is known to feed on garlic, rye, and pampas grass (de Remes-Lenicov & Rossi-Batiz 2010). During a trip to Neuquén Province in February 2007, we noticed a heavy infestation of pampas grass, Cortaderia sp., grown as ornamental plants near a supermarket in the downtown San Martín de los Andes, with a planthopper species (Delphacidae). We collected both adults and nymphs of this planthopper and sent them for identification to Dr. A.M. Marino de Remes Lenicov at Museo de la Plata. Some of those specimens, first identified as Saccharosydne sp., were later designated as paratypes of S. subandina by de Remes-Lenicov & Rossi-Batiz (2010). At the same time we collected pieces of plant tissue with numerous eggs of the planthopper hoping to obtain egg parasitods. Indeed, a good number of fairyfly (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) wasps emerged a few days later, these were preserved and sent to SVT for identification. Three females and one male were slide-mounted, and the rest of specimens were point-mounted. A positive identification of Anagrus (Anagrus) flaveolus Waterhouse was made, and that constitutes the first known egg parasitoid record for this host because it was reported earlier simply as Saccharosydne sp. by Luft Albarracin et al. (2009). Anagrus flaveolus is a common egg parasitoid of various planthoppers and leafhoppers in the New World, where it is known to parasitize also eggs of Delphacodes haywardi Muir, D. kuscheli Fennah, Peregrinus maidis (Ashmead), Pissonotus sp., Saccharosydne saccharivora (Westwood), Toya propinqua (Fieber) (Delphacidae), as well as Amplicephalus simpliciusculus Linnavuori, Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott), and Exitianus obscurinervis (Stål) (Cicadellidae) (Luft Albarracin et al. 2009; Triapitsyn 1997, 2002). Some of these hosts are agricultural pests, and it is likely that A. flaveolus plays a role in their natural control. Material examined of A. flaveolus: ARGENTINA, Neuquén, San Martín de los Andes, 40°09’26.5’’S, 71°21’22.5’’W, 663 m, 26.ii.2007, G.A. Logarzo, S.V. Triapitsyn, E.G. Virla (emerged 1-3.iii.2007 from eggs of S. subandina on pampas grass) [31 females, 2 males, deposited in Entomology Research Museum, University of California at Riverside].