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Title: Aphanogmus sp. (Hymenoptera: Ceraphronidae): a hyperparasitoid of the coffee berry borer parasitoid Prorops nasuta (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) in Kenya

Author
item JARA,O;;P, JULIANA - UNIV HANNOVER, GERMANY
item Vega, Fernando

Submitted to: Biocontrol Science and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/26/2008
Publication Date: 3/15/2009
Citation: Jara, O.J., Vega, F.E. 2009. Aphanogmus sp. (Hymenoptera: Ceraphronidae): a hyperparasitoid of the coffee berry borer parasitoid Prorops nasuta Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) in Kenya. Biocontrol Science and Technology. 19:113-116.

Interpretive Summary: The coffee berry borer is the most devastating pest of coffee throughout the world and causes millions of dollars in losses each year. Biologically-based insect control using beneficial insects reduces damage to crops and saves farmers time and money. In this paper we report on an insect in the genus Aphanogmus that attacks a beneficial insect (Prorops nasuta) that kills the coffee berry borer, thus reducing the effectiveness of an important natural enemy of the coffee berry borer. This information will be of use to coffee scientists, entomologists, and the coffee industry.

Technical Abstract: This is the first report of a hyperparasitod of the primary parasitoid of the coffee berry borer Prorops nasuta Waterston (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). Aphanogmus sp is a gregarious ectoparasitoid of larval and pupal stages of P. nasuta, which was found in coffee berry samples collected on the ground of an organic coffee plantation in Western Kenya. The hyperparasitoid shows a clear pattern of emergence from year to year, following its host. Aphanogmus sp parasitizes around 10% of P. nasuta immature stages under field conditions.