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Title: A critical evaluation of host ranges of parasitoids of the subtribe Diabroticina (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Luperini) using field and laboratory host records

Author
item TOEPFER, STEFAN - CABI EUOROPE, SWITZERLAND
item CABRERA, WALSH - USDA/ARS/SABCL
item EBEN, ASTRID - INST. DE ECOLOGIA, MEXICO
item ALVAREZ ZAGOYA, REBECA - INST. POLITECNICO, MEXICO
item HAYE, TIM - CABI EUROPE, SWITZERLAND
item ZHANG, FENG - CABI EUROPE, SWITZERLAND
item KUHLMANN, ULRICH - CABI EUROPE, SWITZERLAND

Submitted to: Biocontrol Science and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/2008
Publication Date: 5/1/2008
Citation: Toepfer, S., Cabrera, W.G., Eben, A., Alvarez Zagoya, R., Haye, T., Zhang, F., Kuhlmann, U. 2008. A critical evaluation of host ranges of parasitoids of the subtribe Diabroticina (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Luperini) using field and laboratory host records. Biocontrol Science and Technology.Vol.18(5); pp. 483-504

Interpretive Summary: The Diabroticina are a large group of leaf beetles that include such pests as corn rootworms, cucumber beetles, and bean leaf beetles. The recent introduction of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, into Europe, and limitations in the traditional pesticide applications, call for new approaches in the management of these pests, however parasitoids have been recorded in the group. Only two species in the genus Centistes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and four in the genus Celatoria (Diptera: Tachinidae), have been reported to develop in Diabroticina adults regularly. In this study the existing references are rectified under the light of new information and the more reliable literature, in order to present a clearer view of the host range and biocontrol potential of the known parasitoids. The sole parasitoids deemed potential candidates for the biocontrol of D. v. virgifera are Celatoria compressa, C. diabroticae, and Centistes gasseni.

Technical Abstract: The Diabroticina are a large group of American Chrysomelidae that include such pests as corn rootworms, cucumber beetles, and bean leaf beetles. Classical biocontrol has not been for these pests because they are mostly pests of crops under intensive pesticide use, and because they are native to their distribution areas. But the recent introduction of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, into Europe, and limitations in the traditional pesticide applications, call for new approaches in the management of these pests. Few parasitoids have been recorded in the group. Only two species in the genus Centistes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and four in the genus Celatoria (Diptera: Tachinidae), have been reported to develop in Diabroticina adults regularly. However, there are references that have propagated errors regarding the host ranges and taxonomic status of some parasitoid species. In this study the existing references are rectified under the light of new information and the more reliable literature, in order to present a clearer view of the host range and biocontrol potential of the known parasitoids. Other parasitoids reported from Diabroticina have had very rare, probably fortuitous appearances, and are thus not considered for biocontrol purposes. Nematodes are recurrent natural enemies of Diabroticina, but are considered adequate for a different biocontrol approach due to their limited dispersion capabilities and wide host ranges. The sole parasitoids deemed potential candidates for the biocontrol of D. v. virgifera are Celatoria compressa, C. diabroticae, and Centistes gasseni.