Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory
Title: The great greenbriers gall mystery resolved? New species of Aprostocetus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) gall inducer and two new parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) associated with Smilax in southern Florida, USAAuthor
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Gates, Michael |
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ZHANG, YUANMENG MILES - University Of Central Florida |
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Buffington, Matthew |
Submitted to: Journal of Hymenoptera Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 12/2/2020 Publication Date: 12/29/2020 Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/7235637 Citation: Gates, M.W., Zhang, Y., Buffington, M.L. 2020. The great greenbriers gall mystery resolved? New species of Aprostocetus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) gall inducer and two new parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) associated with Smilax in southern Florida, USA. Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 80:71-98. Interpretive Summary: Gall-inducing insects cause tumor-like deformities on plants that can affect their growth of reproduction. Many gall inducers are pests of agricultural or horticultural plants and cost millions of dollars of loss annually in the USA. We describe a new species of gall-inducing wasp and two new parasitic wasps that attack it. Parasitic wasps provide a measure of biological control of pest insects. This information will be useful to biocontrol specialists, extension agents, entomologists, and those with an interest in insect gall induction. Technical Abstract: Aprostocetus smilax Gates & Zhang, sp. nov., is described from stem and leaf galls on Smilax havanensis in southern Florida, USA. It is the third species of Aprostocetus known to induce plant galls. Two parasitoids of A. smilax are also described: Phylloxeroxenus smilax Gates & Zhang sp. nov. and Sycophila smilax Gates & Zhang, sp. nov.. We conclude A. smilax is the true gall inducer on Smilax, and thus the host records of Diastrophus smilacis Ashmead and their inquiline Periclistus smilacis Ashmead from Smilax, are erroneous. |