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Issue: Vol. 5497 No. 3: 26 Aug. 2024
Type: Article
Published: 2024-08-26
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5497.3.9
Page range: 444-450
Abstract views: 300
PDF downloaded: 13

A member of the Telenomus californicus Ashmead, 1893 complex parasitizing native cactus moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs in Mexico

Departamento de Parasitología; Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro; Saltillo; Coahuila; Mexico 25315
Departamento de Parasitología; Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro; Saltillo; Coahuila; Mexico 25315
University of Texas at Austin; Department of Integrative Biology; Austin; Texas 78712; USA
University of Texas at Austin; Department of Integrative Biology; Austin; Texas 78712; USA
Departamento de Parasitología; Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro; Saltillo; Coahuila; Mexico 25315
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Florida State Collection of Arthropods; 1911 SW 34 St.; Gainesville; FL 32667
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Florida State Collection of Arthropods; 1911 SW 34 St.; Gainesville; FL 32667
Departamento de Parasitología; Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro; Saltillo; Coahuila; Mexico 25315
Lepidoptera Nopal Cactoblastis Melitara invasive insect biological control

Abstract

A collection of egg parasitoids in the Scelionidae are identified as members of the Telenomus californicus Ashmead, 1893 complex (californicus+dalmanni+arzamae groups). They were reared from eggs of the cactus zebra worm, Melitara cf. junctoliniella Hulst, 1900 (Pyralidae: Phycitinae) infesting Opuntia streptacantha Lemaire, 1839 (Cactaceae) at Bustamante, Nuevo León, Mexico. Lacking both male specimens and a revision of the complex, no species-level identification could be made. The taxonomic placement of these wasps is discussed as well as possible implementation of these egg parasitoids in new-association biological control of the invasive cactus moth Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg, 1885) (Pyralidae: Phycitinae) in North America.

 

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