ARS | Publication request: Oestrophasia Sabroskyi (Diptera: Tachinidae), a Parasitoid of Artipus Floridanus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Submitted to: Annals of the Entomological Society of America
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 19, 2005
Publication Date: May 1, 2005
Citation: Kovarik, P.W., Reitz, S.R. 2005. Oestrophasia sabroskyi (Diptera: Tachinidae), a parasitoid of Artipus floridanus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 98:245-251.

Interpretive Summary: Citrus root weevils are among the most destructive pests of citrus and ornamental trees in Florida. Given this importance, efforts have been made to identify biological control agents of citrus root weevils. In this study, scientists from the USDA-ARS, Center for Biological Control, Tallahassee, FL, and the Ohio State University have identified a tachinid fly, Oestrophasia sabroskyi, as a parasitoid of adults a citrus root weevil, Artipus floridanus, and described its life stages. This information is a necessary basis to further explore the potential of this tachinid fly as a biological control agent of citrus root weevils.

Technical Abstract: Oestrophasia sabroskyi (Guimaraes) (Diptera: Tachinidae) is recorded as a parasitoid of adult Artipus floridanus Horn (Coleoptera: Curcuilionidae). Artipus floridanus is the first host record for O. sabroskyi. The adult male and the immature stages are described for the first time.