A NEW BARYSCAPUS (HYMENOPTERA: EULOPHIDAE) PARASITIC ON DIORHABDA ELONGATA BRULLE (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE) AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF SALTCEDAR (TAMARIX SPP.; TAMARICACEAE)

Authors: GATES, MICHAEL - U. OF MD POSTDOC; MYARTSEVA, S - TAMAULIPAS, MEXICO; Schauff, Michael

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/5/2004
Publication Date: 7/5/2004
Citation: Gates, M.W., Myartseva, S.N., Schauff, M.E. 2004. A new baryscapus (hymenoptera: eulophidae) parasitic on diorhabda elongata brulle (coleoptera: chrysomelidae) and implications for the biological control of saltcedar (tamarix spp.; tamaricaceae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 107:1.

Interpretive Summary: Noxious invasive weeds can sometimes be controlled by releasing natural enemies such as insects that will attack the plants. A leaf beetle from central Asia has been released in several western states and is being considered for release in others for control of saltcedar, an invasive plant. A new species of parasitic wasp has been found to attack this leaf beetle in its native range. If this wasp is accidentally introduced with the beetle, it could be detrimental to planned biocontrol programs. The new parasitic wasp from Turkemistan is described, illustrated, and separated from related species. This information will be useful to insect identifiers, scientists, and workers involved in the biocontrol of weeds in western U.S.

Technical Abstract: Baryscapus diorhabdivorus Gates and Myartseva, n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is described and illustrated. This species was reared from the saltcedar leaf beetle, Diorhabda elongata Brulle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in Turkmenistan. It is compared to closely related species, and its implications upon the biocontrol of Tamarix spp. are discussed.