A new species of Gonatocerus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) from Argentina, an egg parasitoid of Tapajosa rubromarginata (Hemiptera: Cleadellidae)

Authors: TRIAPITSYN, SERGUEI - UNIV.OF CA-RIVERSIDE; LOGARZO, GUILLERMO - USDA-ARS-SABCL-ARGENTINA; VIRLA, EDUARDO - CONICET-PROIMI-ARGENTINA; De Leon, Jesus

Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/26/2007
Publication Date: 10/19/2007
Citation: Triapitsyn, S.V., Logarzo, G., Virla, E.G., De Leon, J.H. 2007. A new species of Gonatocerus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) from Argentina, an egg parasitoid of Tapajosa rubromarginata (Hemiptera: Cleadellidae). Zootaxa. 1619:61-68.

Interpretive Summary: A new species of egg parasitoid from Argentina is described herein. The new species, named Gonatocerus virlai (previously G. sp. 6), is a potential biological control candidate agent for the glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis) (Germar) in California. The known distribution and host associations (both natural and fictitious) of the new species are indicated. This species was successfully reared for many generations on a fictitious host, the glassy-winged sharpshooter under quarantine laboratory conditions in Riverside, California, USA.

Technical Abstract: A new species from the ater species group of Gonatocerus Nees (Mymaridae) is described from Argentina. Specimens of G. virlai S. Triapitsyn, Logarzo & de León sp. n. were reared mostly from wild-collected and sentinel eggs of the proconiine sharpshooter Tapajosa rubromarginata (Signoret) (Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae: Proconiini) on citrus and corn plants. Known distribution and host associations (both natural and fictitious) of the new species are indicated; under quarantine laboratory conditions in Riverside, California, USA, it was successfully reared for many generations on a fictitious host, the glassy-winged sharpshooter Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar).