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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #74236
Title: THE GENERA OF CHALCID PARASITES (HYMENOPTERA:CHALCIDOIDEA) OF CITRUS LEAFMINER, PHYLLOCNISTIS CITRELLA STAINTON (LEPIDOPTERA: GRACCILLARIIDAE)

Author
item Schauff, Michael
item LASALLE, JOHN - INTER.INST.ENT.,LONDON
item WIJESEKARA, GAMAGE - DEPT.ENT.,U.MD,COLLEGE PK

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/25/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The citrus leafminer mines the leaves of citrus trees and has become a significant pest of citrus crops in many parts of the world, including the United States. Biological control of the citrus leafminer by parasitic wasps offers the best chance of cost effective long term control and reduced pesticide usage. In this study a total of 38 genera of parasites in the superfamily Chalcidoidea have been discovered to attack citrus leafminer. An illustrated identification key to these genera is provided along with data on their distribution, taxonomy, numbers of species, and other information. This information will be of critical importance to biological control workers wishing to import parasites into the U.S., scientists working on integrated pest management of the leafminer, and to regulatory personnel who must make permitting decisions.

Technical Abstract: The genera of chalcid parasitoids (Hymenoptera:Chalcidoidea) of citrus leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella: Stainton; Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) are reviewed and an illustrated key is presented. Thirty-eight genera of Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) have been recorded as using the citrus leafminer as a host. Members of the famlies Elasmidae, Encyrtidae, Eulophidae, Eupelmidae, Eurytomidae, and Pteromalidae have been recorded, with the majority of the species being eulophids.