The Genera of Chalcid Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) of Citrus LeafminerPhyllocnistis citrellaStainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)

The Alien to Cyprus Entomofauna (ACE) database: a review of the current status of alien insects (Arthropoda, Insecta) including an updated species checklist, discussion on impacts and recommendations for informing management

Alien insects represent one of the most species rich groups of organisms introduced to Europe, with some responsible for adverse social-economic, human-health, biodiversity and ecosystem impacts. The impacts of invasive alien species, especially on island ecosystems, have been a hot topic of research worldwide. Cyprus is a Mediterranean island at the biogeographic crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe. This study presents the database of the alien insects of the island of Cyprus as a whole, created through an extensive review including grey literature and online sources. The Alien to Cyprus Entomofauna (ACE) triples the known number of alien insects and adds supplemental information to existing species. Data concerning a total of 349 alien insects are presented alongside an updated checklist and recommendations for informing management. The status of alien insects on the island, their origin, trophic guilds, establishment, pathways of introduction and impacts are discussed. Developing an alien species inventory for the island is challenging due to its geographic position and the increasing movement of people and goods leading to new species introductions. This publication constitutes an important first step towards providing information for effective actions to tackle invasive alien insects on Cyprus. The checklist and accompanying information can underpin understanding of the status and trends of alien species including providing information for risk assessments. ACE will continue to be maintained and updated as new records for Cyprus are made.

Effect of bifenthrin application at different maturity stages on its dissipation and residues in kumquat (Citrus japonica) and dietary intake risk assessment

Bifenthrin is a pyrethroid pesticide widely used on kumquats, but the residues in the peel and pulp after bifenthrin application at different maturity stages of kumquats have not been evaluated. This study developed a simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the quantitative analysis of bifenthrin residues in whole fruit, kumquat peel, kumquat pulp, and soil. The results showed that regardless of whether bifenthrin was applied one or three times during the near-mature period, the half-lives of the fruit peel and fruit pulp were longer than those in the immature period. Kumquat fruit residues decreased with time at both maturity levels. The residues of bifenthrin in near-mature fruit exceeded the MRL in Guangxi and Fujian 14 days after the three applications of bifenthrin, suggesting that this issue should be focused on in kumquat production and supervision. However, for bifenthrin application in either the near-mature or the immature fruit period, the calculated risks for chronic dietary intake of kumquat were well below 100%. The data demonstrate that the chronic dietary intake risk of bifenthrin through kumquat consumption is low and within acceptable limits. These results provide a reference and risk assessment data for the safe and rational use of bifenthrin insecticides.

Review of the genus Pleurotroppopsis Girault (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) with interspecific phylogenetic relationships based on morphological characters

This study is dedicated to the late Dr. John LaSalle, and reviews the world species of Pleurotroppopsis Girault (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae); fourteen species are treated, of which two are newly described: P. dactylispae Cao & Zhu sp. nov. from China and P. peukscutella Cao & Zhu sp. nov. from Malaysia. On the basis of morphological characters, tentative relationships among genera allied to Pleurotroppopsis are discussed. A revised definition of Pleurotroppopsis is presented based on study of type specimens of all species and a critical review of previous studies on the genus. In addition, parsimony analyses were conducted to infer a phylogeny of Pleurotroppopsis species based on a unique data matrix of morphological characters. Keys to genera allied to Pleurotroppopsis and to known species of Pleurotroppopsis are provided.  

Genetic diversity of Diaphorina citri and its endosymbionts across east and south-east Asia

BACKGROUND

Diaphorina citri is the vector of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus', the most widespread pathogen associated huanglongbing, the most serious disease of citrus. To enhance our understanding of the distribution and origin of the psyllid, we investigated the genetic diversity and population structures of 24 populations in Asia and one from Florida based on the mtCOI gene. Simultaneously, genetic diversity and population structures of the primary endosymbiont (P-endosymbiont) 'Candidatus Carsonella ruddii' and secondary endosymbiont (S-endosymbiont) 'Candidatus Profftella armatura' of D. citri were determined with the housekeeping genes.

RESULT

AMOVA analysis indicated that populations of D. citri and its endosymbionts in east and south-east Asia were genetically distinct from populations in Pakistan and Florida. Furthermore, P-endosymbiont populations displayed a strong geographical structure across east and south-east Asia, while low genetic diversity indicated the absence of genetic structure among the populations of D. citri and its S-endosymbiont across these regions.

CONCLUSION

The 'Ca. C. ruddii' is more diverse and structured than the D. citri and the 'Ca. P. armatura' across east and south-east Asia. Multiple introductions of the psyllid have occurred in China. Management application for controlling the pest is proposed based on the genetic information of D. citri and its endosymbionts. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

A literature-based review of HymenopteraParasitica and Chrysidoidea from Reunion Island

A review of the genera and species of Hymenoptera Parasitica and Chrysidoidea reported so far from Reunion Island is provided with host information. Data presented here is based on a review of the existing literature by the authors. The list includes: (1) 156 species of Ichneumonoidea belonging to 65 genera and 25 subfamilies (Braconidae: Agathidinae, Alysiinae, Aphidiinae, Braconinae, Charmontinae, Cheloninae, Doryctinae, Euphorinae, Gnamptodontinae, Microgastrinae, Opiinae; Ichneumonidae: Banchinae, Campopleginae, Cremastinae, Cryptinae, Diplazontinae, Ichneumoninae, Mesochorinae, Metopiinae, Ophioninae, Orthocentrinae, Pimplinae, Tersilochinae, Tryphoninae); (2) 121 species of Chalcidoidea belonging to 56 genera and 8 families (Agaonidae, Aphelinidae, Chalcididae, Encyrtidae, Eulophidae, Eupelmidae, Eurytomidae, Ormyridae, Pteromalidae, Signophoridae, Torymidae and Trichogrammatidae); (3) seven species of Cynipoidea (family Figitidae); (4) six species of Chrysidoidea in three families (Bethylidae, Chrysididae, Dryinidae); (5) five species of Platygastroidea (families Platygastridae and Scelionidae); (6) five species of Diaprioidea (family Diapriidae); (7) four species of Ceraphronoidae (families Ceraphronidae and Megaspilidae); and (8) two species of Evanioidea (family Evaniidae). This review records a total of 306 species.

Overview of worldwide diversity of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 haplotypes: two Old World lineages and a New World invasion

Relationships among worldwide collections of Diaphorina citri (Asian citrus psyllid) were analyzed using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) haplotypes from novel primers. Sequences were produced from PCR amplicons of an 821bp portion of the mtCOI gene using D. citri specific primers, derived from an existing EST library. An alignment was constructed using 612bps of this fragment and consisted of 212 individuals from 52 collections representing 15 countries. There were a total of eight polymorphic sites that separated the sequences into eight different haplotypes (Dcit-1 through Dcit-8). Phylogenetic network analysis using the statistical parsimony software, TCS, suggests two major haplotype groups with preliminary geographic bias between southwestern Asia (SWA) and southeastern Asia (SEA). The recent (within the last 15 to 25 years) invasion into the New World originated from only the SWA group in the northern hemisphere (USA and Mexico) and from both the SEA and SWA groups in the southern hemisphere (Brazil). In only one case, Reunion Island, did haplotypes from both the SEA and SWA group appear in the same location. In Brazil, both groups were present, but in separate locations. The Dcit-1 SWA haplotype was the most frequently encountered, including ~50% of the countries sampled and 87% of the total sequences obtained from India, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The second most frequently encountered haplotype, Dcit-2, the basis of the SEA group, represented ~50% of the countries and contained most of the sequences from Southeast Asia and China. Interestingly, only the Caribbean collections (Puerto Rico and Guadeloupe) represented a unique haplotype not found in other countries, indicating no relationship between the USA (Florida) and Caribbean introductions. There is no evidence for cryptic speciation for D. citri based on the COI region included in this study.

The preimaginal stages of Pnigalio gyamiensis Myartseva & Kurashev, 1990 (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), a parasitoid associated with Chrysoesthia sexguttella (Thunberg) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae)

The larval instars of Pnigalio gyamiensis Myartseva and Kurashev are described in detail for the first time. This species is a larval-pupal ectoparasitoid of Chrysoesthia sexguttella (Thunberg) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae), which forms leaf mines in the plant Chenopodium album L. (Caryophyllales: Amaranthaceae). The female of Pnigalio gyamiensis lays a single egg on the skin of the host larva or nearby it, without any significant preference for a particular variant. The presence of long hairs on its body provides the newly-hatched first larval instar with high mobility. Some peculiarities in this parasitoid-host relationship are described.

Rickettsia symbionts cause parthenogenetic reproduction in the parasitoid wasp Pnigalio soemius (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Bacteria in the genus Rickettsia are intracellular symbionts of disparate groups of organisms. Some Rickettsia strains infect vertebrate animals and plants, where they cause diseases, but most strains are vertically inherited symbionts of invertebrates. In insects Rickettsia symbionts are known to have diverse effects on hosts ranging from influencing host fitness to manipulating reproduction. Here we provide evidence that a Rickettsia symbiont causes thelytokous parthenogenesis (in which mothers produce only daughters from unfertilized eggs) in a parasitoid wasp, Pnigalio soemius (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Feeding antibiotics to thelytokous female wasps resulted in production of progeny that were almost all males. Cloning and sequencing of a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene amplified with universal primers, diagnostic PCR screening of symbiont lineages associated with manipulation of reproduction, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed that Rickettsia is always associated with thelytokous P. soemius and that no other bacteria that manipulate reproduction are present. Molecular analyses and FISH showed that Rickettsia is distributed in the reproductive tissues and is transovarially transmitted from mothers to offspring. Comparison of antibiotic-treated females and untreated females showed that infection had no cost. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA and gltA gene sequences placed the symbiont of P. soemius in the bellii group and indicated that there have been two separate origins of the parthenogenesis-inducing phenotype in the genus Rickettsia. A possible route for evolution of induction of parthenogenesis in the two distantly related Rickettsia lineages is discussed.

LEVANTAMENTO E IDENTIFICAÇÃO DE PARASITÓIDES DE DÍPTEROS MINADORES EM PLANTAS DE CRESCIMENTO ESPONTÂNEO EM POMAR ORGÂNICO DE CITROS EM MONTENEGRO, RS, BRASIL

RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivos realizar o levantamento e a identificação dos parasitóides associados aos dípteros minadores presentes na vegetação de crescimento espontâneo, em pomar orgânico de citros, e verificar se estes parasitóides são os mesmos relatados para o minador-dasfolhas-dos-citros (Phyllocnistis citrella). O trabalho foi conduzido em Montenegro, RS, em um pomar de tangoreiro Murcott. Realizaram-se amostragens quinzenais, de maio de 2003 a maio de 2004, coletando-se em cada ocasião 60 unidades de amostra. Cada unidade era constituída de todas as folhas com minas contidas na área delimitada por um aro de 0,28 m2, que era jogado na linha e na entrelinha de 30 árvores sorteadas.No laboratório as folhas foram mantidas, individualmente, em placas de Petri até a emergência dos parasitóides ou das moscas. Foram registradas 15 espécies de microimenópteros: sete de Eulophidae (Closterocerus coffeellae Ihering, Closterocerus sp., Chrysocharis tristis Hansson, Chrysocharis vonones Walker, Chrysocharis sp. 1, Chrysocharis sp. 2 e Neochrysocharis sp.), sete de Braconidae (Opius sp. 1, Opius sp. 2, Opius sp. 3, Opius sp. 4, Opius sp. 5, Centistidea sp. 1, Centistidea sp. 2) e uma de Figitidae, (Agrostocynips clavatus, Díaz). De acordo com os resultados, verificou-se que algumas espécies registradas no estudo pertencentes aos gêneros Closterocerus, Chrysocharis e Neochrysocharis são relatadas como parasitóides de P. citrella.

Effect of temperature on development and survival of the parasitoid Pnigalio pectinicornis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) reared on Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)

Laboratory studies were conducted to assess the effect of temperature on the development and survival of the indigenous parasitoid Pnigalio pectinicornis L. on the citrus leaf miner Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton as host, fed on leaves of Citrus sinensis L. Osbck cultivar Washington navel and Citrus reticulata Blanco cultivar Clementine. Experiments were conducted at five constant temperatures ranging from 15 to 32.5 degrees C, with 60 +/- 10% RH and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h. The relationship between the developmental rate and temperature was determined using both linear and nonlinear (Lactin's formula) models. Developmental time of immature stages tended to be shorter as the temperature increased the range from 15 to 30 degrees C. Mortality was greater at the temperatures extreme tested. Both linear and nonlinear models provided a reliable fit of developmental rates versus temperature for all immature stages. Developmental thresholds that were estimated by the linear model for eggs were higher than those estimated by the nonlinear model. However, higher values of the low developmental threshold for larva and pupa stage of P. pectinicornis were estimated by the Lactin-2 model than that by the linear model. The potential of these models to predict the phenology of this parasitoid and its biological characteristics found in this study are discussed for its proper use as a biological control agent.

DIVERSIDADE DE PARASITÓIDES DE PHYLLOCNISTIS CITRELLA LEPIDOPTERA: GRACILLARIIDAE) EM VARIEDADES DE CITROS E A RELAÇÃO COM FATORES BIÓTICOS E ABIÓTICOS

RESUMO A diversidade de parasitóides do minador-dos-citros, Phyllocnistis citrella (Lep.: Gracillariidae), bem como a relação destes insetos com fatores bióticos e abióticos, foram avaliados por amostragens quinzenais, de julho/2003 a junho/2005, em 2 pomares sob manejo orgânico, um de tangerineira ‘Montenegrina’ (Citrus deliciosa) e outro do tangoreiro ‘Murcott’ (C. sinensis x C. reticulata), em Montenegro (29°37’51" S, 51°28’10" W), RS. Em cada ocasião de amostragem, em 24 plantas sorteadas, examinaram-se todas as folhas contendo câmaras pupais do minador. Em laboratório, a porção da folha com a câmara foi individualizada em tubos de ensaio, mantidos em câmara climatizada até a emergência dos parasitóides ou de P. citrella. Estimou-se, nos dois anos, o número de brotos das copas das plantas. Ageniaspis citricola foi o parasitóide mais abundante, representando mais de 80% do total de parasitóides nas duas variedades e diferentes anos. Os outros parasitóides registrados foram Cirrospilus neotropicus, Cirrospilus floridensis, Elasmus phyllocnistoides e Chrysocharis vonones, este último constitui o primeiro registro desta espécie atuando sobre P. citrella. A diversidade de parasitóides foi semelhante entre as variedades e diferente entre os anos. A temperatura máxima teve maior influência sobre o minador e os parasitóides, mas após o estabelecimento, P. citrella também apresenta correlação com os fluxos de brotação. Os períodos de estiagens durante o trabalho podem ter influenciado as populações do minador e de parasitóides por diminuírem os recursos disponíveis para ambos os grupos.

Complexo de parasitóides de Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) em dois pomares de citros em Montenegro, RS, Brasil

Diversas vespas parasitóides, especialmente Eulophidae e Chalcididae, têm sido registrados atuando sobre populações de Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, 1856 (larva-minadora-dos-citros), uma das principais pragas da citricultura mundial. O presente trabalho objetivou identificar o complexo de parasitóides de P. citrella em dois pomares de citros situados em Montenegro, RS, um de tangerineira variedade Montenegrina e outro do híbrido tangor Murcott. Em amostragens quinzenais de julho de 2001 a junho de 2003, todos os brotos de plantas sorteadas aleatoriamente eram inspecionados. Todas as folhas com pupas de P. citrella foram coletadas e acondicionadas individualmente em placas de Petri até a emergência dos parasitóides ou dos adultos de P. citrella. No primeiro ano foram obtidos 101 parasitóides, dos gêneros Elasmus Westwood, 1833, Cirrospilus Westwood, 1832, Sympiesis Förster, 1856 e Galeopsomyia fausta LaSalle, 1997 (Eulophidae). Ageniaspis citricola Logvinovskaya, 1983 (Encyrtidae) foi registrada somente na área de 'Murcott'. Esta espécie foi intencionalmente introduzida em pomares próximos para o controle do minador. No segundo ano foi amostrado um total de 609 parasitóides e A. citricola foi também registrada na área de 'Montenegrina'. Com a introdução e o estabelecimento da espécie exótica nos pomares, houve uma grande mudança na freqüência relativa das espécies. Ageniaspis citricola representou mais de 75% dos indivíduos presentes em ambos pomares no segundo ano, diminuindo a freqüência relativa das espécies nativas. Estudos sobre a comunidade de inimigos naturais associados ao minador-dos-citros, e o efetivo impacto que a espécie exótica causa sobre as nativas, são necessários antes de tomarem-se quaisquer medidas de controle.