Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #241870
Title: Parasitoid Complex of the Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) in the Increase-phase Populations in Korea

Author
item LEE, JANG-HOON - Dongguk University
item Pemberton, Robert

Submitted to: Journal of Ecology and Field Biology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/18/2009
Publication Date: 4/15/2009
Citation: Lee, J., Pemberton, R.W. 2009. Parasitoid Complex of the Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) in the Increase-phase Populations in Korea . Journal of Ecology and Field Biology, 32 (2): 75-81, 2009.

Interpretive Summary: Gypsy moth is a serious pest of forest in North America. Its populations both in its native Eurasia and in its invasive range in North America undergo cycles of increase and decrease. It is useful understand what parasitoids in the native region are affecting the gypsy populations during these phases. In this study the parasitoids of an increasing-phase population in Korea were determined by collecting and rearing mid to late instar larvae and pupae. Two tachinid flies (Blepharipa schineri and Parasetigena silvestris), and the ichneumonid wasp (Coccygomimus disparis) were the most abundant parasitoids. The NPVirus was found to occur at low levels and this in-turn is thought to have influenced the parasitism and relative dominance of these parasitoids. Both of these flies, Blepharipa schineri and Parasetigena silvestris, and the wasp, Coccygomimus disparis, have been established in the United States for the control of gypsy moth. Understanding their dominant role in the increase phase of the gypsy moth and the possible influence of NPVirus on parasitism in their native Korea may contribute to a better understanding their behavior in North America, and lead to better utilization.

Technical Abstract: The species composition of the parasitoid complex and the degree of parasitism by each species were analyzed for gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) populations in the increasing phase. Total of 7,826 mid-late instar larvae and pupae were collected and reared from two collection sites in Gangwon Province, Korea. Two tachinid flies (Blepharipa schineri and Parasetigena silvestris), and the ichneumonid wasp (Coccygomimus disparis) were the most abundant parasitoids, in the order of decreasing importance. Other parasitoids occurring included Coteisa melanoscelus, Cotesia scheaferi, Glyptapanteles liparidis, Brachymeria lasus, and Exorista spp. The low incidence of the NPVirus is hypothesized to be an important factor in determining degree of parasitism rate by P. silvestris and B. schineri, and their relative dominance in the parasitoid complex.