Natural enemies of the Harrisia cactus mealybug and other Hypogeococcus species (Hemiptera:Pseudococcidae) in Puerto Rico:Identification and taxonomic notes on primary and secondary parasitoids

Authors: TRIAPITSYN, SERGUEL - University Of California; Hight, Stephen; LOGARZO, GUILLERMO - Fuedei; AGUIRRE, MARIA - Fuedei; VERLE RODRIGUES, JOSE CARLOS - University Of Puerto Rico; TRJAPITZIN, VLADIMIR - Russian Academy Of Sciences; RIVERA OCASIO, ZOELI - University Of Puerto Rico; RIVERA-VAZQUES, MARIA LUISA - Puerto Rico Department Of Agriculture; WEST ORTIZ, MICHAEL - University Of Puerto Rico; RODRIGUEZ REYES, YORELYZ - University Of Puerto Rico

Submitted to: Neotropical Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/18/2020
Publication Date: 1/29/2020
Citation: Triapitsyn, S.V., Hight, S.D., Logarzo, G.A., Aguirre, M.B., Verle Rodrigues, J., Trjapitzin, V.A., Rivera Ocasio, Z., Rivera-Vazques, M., West Ortiz, M.J., Rodriguez Reyes, Y. 2020. Natural enemies of the Harrisia cactus mealybug and other Hypogeococcus species (Hemiptera:Pseudococcidae) in Puerto Rico:Identification and taxonomic notes on primary and secondary parasitoids. Neotropical Entomology. 49:369-391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13744-019-00754-w.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13744-019-00754-w

Interpretive Summary: The South American Harrisia cactus mealybug (HCM) was introduced into Puerto Rico and is devastating native cactus species. A biological control program is underway to introduce host specific parasitoids from South America into Puerto Rico to help save cactus species in the Caribbean. Before releasing biological control agents, it is important to determine what natural enemies are already attacking the HCM in Puerto Rico, including any potential natural enemies of mealybug parasitoids and predators. Scientists with USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Tallahassee, Florida, in collaboration with USDA-APHIS, the Argentine Foundation for the Study of Invasive Species, and Universities of California, Puerto Rico, and Moscow conducted multiyear field surveys in Puerto Rico to collect and identify current primary and secondary mealybug natural enemies. Eight primary natural enemies (three parasitoids and five predators) were found attacking the HCM in Puerto Rico. Two of the parasitoids also occur in South America on the HCM. Four natural enemies of the three HCM parasitoids were also identified. Additional studies are planned between the HCM primary and secondary natural enemies to evaluate if undesirable interactions might occur that could negatively affect control of the target pest by the introduced biological control agents.

Technical Abstract: Primary and secondary parasitoids of Hypogeococcus spp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on Cactaceae, Amaranthaceae and Portulacaceae were reported from field surveys conducted in Puerto Rico, USA since 2009. Resident natural enemies of the Harrisia cactus mealybug (HCM), Hypogeococcus sp., which is devastating native cacti in Puerto Rico and threatening cacti in the adjacent Caribbean islands, were documented prior to the planned introductions of non-native biological control agents from South America against this pest. Two species of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) were recorded as primary parasitoids of the HCM on Cactaceae: Leptomastidea hypogeococci Triapitsyn and Anagyrus quilmes Triapitsyn, Logarzo & Aguirre. Another primary parasitoid, Acerophagus sp. near nubilipennis Dozier (Encyrtidae), was also reared from a different Hypogeococcus sp. on Amaranthaceae and Portulacaceae. Hyperparasitoids complex, usually via L. hypogeococci, included Prochiloneurus narendrani Noyes & Triapitsyn (Encyrtidae), Pachyneuron sp. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), Chartocerus elongatus (Girault) and Chartocerus niger (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Signiphoridae). Cheiloneurus chrisiantorresi Triapitsyn sp. n. (Encyrtidae) is newly described and illustrated; its status as a suspect hyperparasitoid of Hypogeococcus sp. on Amaranthaceae and Portulacaceae, along with that of Cheiloneurus sp., will need to be verified. HCM predators include one species of Chamaemyiidae (Diptera), Leucopina bella (Loew), and at least three species of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera): Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, Decadiomus austrinus (Gordon), and Scymnobius flavifrons(Melsheimer).