ARS | Publication request: Parasitism of Northern Corn Rootworms (Chrysomelidae: Diabrotica barberi) by Celatoria diabroticae (Tachinidae) in South Dakota: New Geographic Record

Submitted to: Journal of Kansas Entomological Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: June 17, 2008
Publication Date: October 1, 2008
Citation: Prischmann, D.A., Dashiell, K.E. 2008. Parasitism of Northern Corn Rootworms (Chrysomelidae: Diabrotica barberi) by Celatoria diabroticae (Tachinidae) in South Dakota: New Geographic Record. J of Kansas Entomol. Society. 81(4): 392-393.

Interpretive Summary: Corn rootworms (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are devastating pests of maize (Zea mays L.). Recently, there has been increased interest in biological control of rootworms, and one group of parasitoids under investigation for their potential as natural enemies of Diabrotica spp. are Celatoria (Diptera: Tachinidae). There is little information on the incidence of parasitism of Diabrotica barberi by C. diabroticae, although it has been reported in Kansas and Illinois. From 18-24 September 2007, we collected three C. diabroticae females, three males, two empty puparia, and two intact puparia from a colony of field-collected colony D. barberi. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. diabroticae parasitizing D. barberi in South Dakota. More research is needed to determine the importance of this tachinid parasitoid in biological control of corn rootworm pests in South Dakota.

Technical Abstract: Corn rootworms (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are devastating pests of maize (Zea mays L.). Recently, there has been increased interest in biological control of rootworms, and one group of parasitoids under investigation for their potential as natural enemies of Diabrotica spp. are Celatoria (Diptera: Tachinidae). There is little information on the incidence of parasitism of Diabrotica barberi by C. diabroticae, although it has been reported in Kansas and Illinois. From 18-24 September 2007, we collected three C. diabroticae females, three males, two empty puparia, and two intact puparia from a colony of field-collected colony D. barberi. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. diabroticae parasitizing D. barberi in South Dakota. More research is needed to determine the importance of this tachinid parasitoid in biological control of corn rootworm pests in South Dakota.