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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #281962
Title: Recognition of two additional pine-feeding Neodiprion species (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae) in the eastern United States

Author
item LINNEN, C. - University Of Kentucky
item SMITH, D. - Retired ARS Employee

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/30/2012
Publication Date: 10/17/2012
Citation: Linnen, C.R., Smith, D.R. 2012. Recognition of two additional pine-feeding Neodiprion species (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae) in the eastern United States. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 114:492-500.

Interpretive Summary: Sawfly larvae are plant feeders. Many species are of economic importance in forestry causing growth loss and tree mortality over widespread areas. One genus of about 35 species feeds primarily on pines. Genetic studies revealed that two additional, previously unrecognized species occur in eastern United States, and subsequent morphological studies support this conclusion. One species feeds on loblolly pine and shortleaf pine in the southeastern states, and the other feeds on sand pine in Florida. The species from Florida is described as new, and genetic and morphological evidence is presented that support recognition of both species. This will be of help to scientists and foresters involved with identification of insect pests in forest and on ornamental trees.

Technical Abstract: DNA sequence studies revealed two additional species of Neodiprion in eastern United States, and morphological studies support their recognition. One, which is sympatric with and morphologically similar to Neodiprion abbotii (Leach) in southeastern United States, is recognized as Neodiprion fabricii (Leach), revised status. The larvae feed on Pinus taeda L. and P. echinata Miller. The other, described as Neodiprion knereri Linnen and Smith, n. sp., on Pinus clausa (Chapm. ex Englem.) in Florida, is close to Neodiprion virginiana Rohwer.