Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory
2016 Annual Report
Objectives
The long-term goal of this project is to study the systematics and natural history of parasitoid and phytophagous wasps to facilitate their identification, understand and predict their impact on agricultural commodities and products, and disseminate biosystematic information on them to an international clientele. Most species of Hymenoptera are beneficial natural enemies or pollinators, but some are plant pests or bio-control antagonists. This project will focus on chalcidoid, ichneumonoid, cynipoid, and platygastroid wasps, which are taxa of high priority to agriculture and for which the project investigators have expertise. Those groups are important to agriculture because they are useful for bio-control of pest insects and plants and also include species that cause damage to agricultural commodities and products or disrupt bio-control. In addition to conducting research on those groups, the investigators will develop expert systems to provide a broad community of customers increased access to information pertinent to beneficial natural enemies and pests. This project also includes an identification service function for regulatory and research organizations, as well as a curatorial service function for building and maintaining portions of the National Insect Collection (NIC) for use in specimen diagnostics and research. We will focus on the following objectives over the next five years:
Objective 1: Generate revised classifications, phylogenies, species concepts, natural history data and identification tools for wasps in the Cynipoidea, Chalcidoidea, Ichneumonoidea, and Platygastroidea lineages (the latter including Trissolcus wasps, which are important natural enemies of invasive stink bugs).
Objective 2: Compile, organize, and post on the web, searchable electronic databases of hymenopteran families in the U.S. National Insect and Mite Collection, tools, and images of parasitic and plant-feeding Hymenoptera. (non-hypothesis driven)
Objective 3: Provide accurate and efficient identifications of Hymenoptera for APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine and other federal and state regulatory agencies, ARS researchers, and stakeholders across the United States. (non-hypothesis driven)
Approach
Morphological and molecular characters (DNA sequences) will be generated to test species concepts and hypotheses of relationship among agriculturally important flies and parasitoid wasps that attack them. These data will be used to develop new diagnostic tools (descriptions, illustrations, keys). Databases containing scientific names, distributions, taxonomic literature, and host plant and specimen data pertaining to fruit flies will be expanded and disseminated to the user community. These and other taxonomic tools will be made accessible to the public via publications, the internet, and other electronic media. Timely and accurate identifications of flies will be provided, including those intercepted at ports-of-entry by APHIS-PPQ or submitted by a wide range of scientists and regulatory agencies, and portions of the National Collection in the National Museum of Natural History, a vital tool for research and identification, will be maintained and expanded.
Progress Report
Progress was made toward discerning the efficacy of flight traps, pan traps, and sweep netting for sampling parasitic and herbivorous wasps, as well as bees (via collaborators), in grasslands. Sixty-five samples were collected and sorted resulting in acquisition of thousands of specimens. Specimen preparation and identification are ongoing.
Progress was made toward discerning the efficacy of pan traps affixed to dying ash trees infested with emerald ash borer. Ten tree-pair replicates at each of four sites in the Washington D.C. metro area were deployed and samples are being collected during the 2016 field season. Statistical analyses will be conducted on the effect of trap placement on the diversity and abundance of parasitic wasps collected, wit particular focus on those that are known to attack emerald ash borer.
Data is ready for submission on the identification of species of parasitic wasp that attack a variety of insect leafminers in boreal forest of the north-central USA. Over 100 wasps have been identified, databased and a manuscript prepared. The paper will include information a wasp hosts and biology as well as diagnostics for recognizing host leafmine morphology.
Progress was made on the identification of two encyrtid wasps discovered attacking the eggs of a recent invasive species, the spotted lanternfly. Molecular and morphological comparisons will be made against known native and exotic species of encyrtid wasps and this data will be published with a key for species identification.
Progress was made on the identification and distribution of parasitoid species that attack spotted-wing Drosophila throughout North America, Mexico, southeast Asia, and Western Europe. To date, three species in two genera have been recorded, and data capture for this project is still ongoing.
Data is ready for submission on the identification of species of parasitic wasp that attack a variety of Drosophila species along the eastern seaboard of North America. Flies species include spotted-wing Drosophila. The paper will update new host records, provide synonymies, update nomenclature, describe new species, and provide an identification key.
Data is ready for submission on the identification of species of parasitic wasp that attack various species of stink bug (including pestiferous species) throughout the Palearctic region. The paper will update new host records, provide synonymies, update nomenclature, describe new species, and provide an identification key. A note is also in preparation reporting an Asian species of wasp from Washington State that is newly recorded there on pest stink bug.
Data is ready for submission on the efficacy of propylene glycol as an insect tissue preservative for the DNA barcode region. 376 specimens collected under ambient environmental conditions at Joshua Tree National Park were tested. Information on extraction amplification success rates and barcode sequence quality will be provided.
Data is ready for submission on the identification of species of parasitic wasp that attack various species of leaf mining fly (including pestiferous species) throughout the New World. The paper will update new host records, provide synonymies, update nomenclature, describe new species, and provide an identification key.
Funding was secured through the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) for the investigation of parasitoid phylogenetics using ultra-concerved elements (UCE’s) of the hymenopteran genome. This proven technique provides ample sequence data from over 1000 genes per species, and can generate quality sequence data from very old specimens, thereby increasing the sampling rate for phylogenetic work. Scientist in Beltsvile, Maryland, as well as post-docs and an emeritus scientist, are cooperating on this joint project that spans the diversity of the order Hymenoptera.
Progress was made toward discerning the efficacy of adding pan traps to malaise traps for increased sampling efficiency in threatened coastal strand habitat. 288 samples were collected and sorted resulting in acquisition of thousands of specimens. Three replicate plots are currently being sampled, and year one of the study is sorted to family; year two is currently underway.
Progress was made in the statistical analysis of pan-trap color preference study that has been underway since 2007. The data have been fully groomed and are undergoing statistical analysis and visualization using R (in conjunction with collaborators).
Progress was made toward determining the community of insects parasitic on herbivorous insects on American chestnut, Chinese chestnut, and red oak. Samples (n=108) were collected and sorted resulting in thousands of wasp specimens. Tens of thousands of herbivorous insect specimens were pulled from the samples and distributed to collaborators. Caterpillar specimens (n=279) were collected on the host plants resulting in 60 parasitic wasp specimens reared from hosts isolated individually. Specimen rearing, preparation, and identification are ongoing.
Progress was made toward determining braconid parasitic wasp diversity in managed meadows near organic crop fields. Fifty-three samples were sorted resulting in acquisition of thousands of wasp specimens. Specimen preparation and identification are ongoing.
Funds was secured from NMNH to renovate the gall wasp collection. This involves rehousing this critical collection, updating names on drawers and unit trays, and replacing the currently outdated storage system.
The Systematic Entomology Laboratory (SEL) Hymenoptera Unit completed 347 ‘urgent’ identifications, 48 ‘prompt’ identifications, and 234 ‘routine’ identifications for APHIS and other ARS cooperators and stakeholders. At the museum level, the Hymenoptera Unit completed a total of 72 transactions through the NMNH, with nearly 1300 specimens going out in 13 transactions, and acquiring some 3 million specimens in another 48 transactions; these transactions were with a total of 14 countries worldwide, as well as numerous institutions in the United States. An estimated 5000 images were captured for three superfamilies of wasps, and these images are publically available on the web; a further 2000 species names were checked and verified in the National Insect Collection. Finally, the entire Hymenoptera Collection was re-organized to make room for collection growth and expansion over the next 20 years.
Accomplishments
1. Agroecosystem vegetation and parasitic insect diversity. The wasps and flies treated attack herbivorous insects, including crop pests. The relationship between vegetational surroundings and natural enemy species richness was tested for parasitic insects foraging in cole crops. As landscape intensification for crop production increased, overall parasitic wasp and fly richness and abundance in the focal crop field decreased. Parasitic wasp and fly richness overall was positively associated with the amount of forest and grassland surrounding crop fields. This research is useful to scientists conducting research on vegetable crop pests, as well as vegetable producers and agricultural extension agencies.
2. Parasitic wasps associated with herbivorous insects on delta arrowhead. The wasps treated parasitize fly larvae that feed on a plant related to an aquatic weed targeted for biocontrol. The weed is targeted for biocontrol using herbivores such as the fly species parasitized by this wasp. Increased knowledge of this wasp can help determine its potential impact as a biocontrol antagonist. One new braconid wasp species was described, and a key for identifying 16 species was revised. This research is useful to scientists, as well as State and Federal personnel, involved in aquatic weed biocontrol.
3. Parasitic wasp diversity in grasslands near agroecosystems. The wasps treated attack plant-feeding insects, including species that attack pests such as potato tuberworm moth. This paper provides information on identification, biology, and distribution of eight species. One new species was described, diagnoses to facilitate identification were provided for eight species, and new distribution records were reported for two species. This research is useful to scientists conducting research on these wasps and their hosts, as well as pest management and regulatory personnel responsible for controlling and limiting the spread of plant-feeding insects.
4. Revision of parasitic braconid wasps from Mesoamerica. The parasitic wasps treated attack caterpillars, including pests of sweet potato and tobacco. Increased knowledge of these wasps can help determine their impact as natural enemies of pest and potential pest caterpillars. Twenty-eight species from Costa Rica new to science were described, and a key to 33 species from Costa Rica was provided. This research is useful to scientists conducting research on caterpillars in the Western Hemisphere, as well as personnel responsible for controlling and regulating the distribution of pest and potential pest caterpillars.
5. Description of a new species of parasitic encyrtid wasp from North America. The emerald ash borer, a massively destructive invasive beetle from China, is responsible for the destruction of hundreds of millions of ash trees in the U.S. Parasitic wasps that attack this beetle have been discovered and imported from the beetle’s native range and released in the U.S. to provide biological control of this beetle. The wasp treated here is compared to new native U.S. species in the same genus recently discovered in the U.S., enabling workers to reliably separate the different species from one another. This work will be used by scientists, foresters, ecologists involved in biological control of the emerald ash borer in the U.S.
6. Comparison of exotic parasitic encyrtid wasps attacking emerald ash borer and description of a new species. The emerald ash borer, a massively destructive invasive beetle from China, is responsible for the destruction of hundreds of millions of ash trees in the U.S. Parasitic wasps attacking the eggs of this beetle have been discovered and imported from the beetle’s native range and released in the U.S. to provide biological control of this beetle. One species treated here is compared with another closely related species using large genomic and morphological datasets, providing a name for the sister species so that it may be released against the emerald ash borer in the U.S. This work will be used by scientists, foresters, and ecologists involved in biological control of the emerald ash borer in the U.S.
7. Report on the efficacy of native parasitic wasps attacking a pest of squash. Parasitic wasps provide natural control of insect pests in a variety of agricultural and horticultural ecosystems, saving hundreds of millions of dollars annually. We reported on wasps that provide control of squash bugs by attacking their eggs. These wasps can help growers of squash (and relatives) reduce chemicals used in control of these pests, reducing harmful effects on the environment caused by chemicals. This work will be used by biocontrol specialists, scientists, and extension agents.
8. Report on the parasitic wasps attacking a biocontrol agent of Old World climbing fern. Parasitic wasps are often instrumental in providing biological control of insect pests of agricultural and horticultural crops. However, in some cases these wasps may have an antagonistic effect in attacking a biological control agent released to control some pest, often an invasive plant. In this paper, we report on a species of wasp that attacks the eggs of a moth released to control an invasive plant in Florida. This is the first report of any parasitic wasp attacking the eggs of a member of this genus of moth.
9. New genus and species of gall wasp. Gall wasps and their relatives include numerous agricultural pests, as well as many predators important in biological control. The genus and species described in this paper possess characters unlike any other known wasp species. This paper provides detailed diagnostic information and illustrations that will assist other researchers in distinguishing the new species from other species. This information will assist a broad array of scientists in better understanding the relationships, evolution, and feeding habits of these enigmatic wasps.
10. A survey of natural enemies of the invasive spotted wing drosophila fly. The invasive spotted wing drosophila fly (SWD) is a native of East Asia and is now widely established in North America and Europe. Unlike other species in this genus, SWD is a major pest of soft fruits worldwide. This paper summarizes work to date on research focused on locating natural enemies of SWD to control its populations. Research entomologists, extension agents, biological control practitioners, and ecologists will find these data essential for their work.
11. Redescription of a natural enemy of spotted wing drosophila flies. The highly invasive and destructive spotted-wing drosophila is a major pest of soft fruits worldwide. As solutions are sought for the control of this species, natural enemy wasps are being investigated, and the species treated here has great potential to kill these flies as larvae. The species here is carefully described and illustrated, so other researchers will be able to identify this wasp from other species they may be investigating. This product will be useful to biological control practitioners, extension agents, and research entomologists investigating the control of pest flies.
12. Description of a new species of pest gall wasp. Many species of gall wasp essentially co-exist with their host oak tree species. Occasionally, the association becomes destructive to the tree, as is the case with new species described here. This species is a twig galler, and as such, in the cases of heavy infestation, cause flagging, leaf clumping, and dieback of branches and twigs. Records of this species in North America, as well as related species, are summarized, and methods for their identification are discussed. This product will be very useful to extension entomologists dealing with these pest species, as well as research entomologists and ecologists working on oak-related species.
13. A survey of the fossil parasitic wasps in the NMNH. Two new species are described from fossils imbedded in amber; another 20 species are reviewed. All the specimens are housed at the National Museum of Natural History. Fossils have been used to determine the minimum age of animals, and here, we use this new fossil to question how insects and their natural enemies evolved. We posit that long associations may result in better management of natural enemies, while novel associations may be more virulent, yet may lead to unexpected consequences later on. Biological control specialists, taxonomists, and extension agents will find the published data useful for their work.
14. A survey of beetles that live in ant nests. Leaf beetles and ants and wasps are among the most important insects for U.S. agriculture. This works synthesizes our knowledge about the relationship between ants, parasitoid wasps, and beetles with discussion on the evolution of this interesting behavior and interdependency of these various insect groups. This contribution should stimulate future research on ant loving beetles and their parasitoid wasps. This publication will be useful to biological control workers, taxonomists, ecologists, conservation biologists, coleopterists, morphologists and those interested in plant-feeding beetles.
15. Description of new technology for micro photography. Effective illustration enhances the scientific content of any work on the classification of insects. Extremely small insects, on the order of 0.5-1.5mm adult length, can confound this process. We have developed a lighting system for photographing such small insects that is both modular and scalable. Further, the system can be built, by hand, using basic tools, saving researchers time and money. This system will be extremely useful to systematic entomologists, extension agents, and biological control workers that need to photograph small insects.
16. Report on a worldwide survey for natural enemies of spotted wing drosophila fly. The invasive spotted wing drosophila fly (SWD) is a native of East Asia and is now widely established in North America and Europe. Unlike other species in this genus, SWD is a major pest of soft fruits worldwide. This paper summarizes work to date on research focused on locating natural enemies of SWD to control its populations. Research entomologists, extension agents, biological control practitioners, and ecologists will find these data essential for their work.
17. Redescription of a native African species of wasp. Parasitoid wasps are potent natural enemies of many species of pest insect. Correct identification and name usage in parasitoid wasp biology are key factors in the success of biological control. This paper helps clarify the identity of a species of wasp that attacks lacewing larvae, and expands the known distribution of the species throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Biological control workers, extension agents, and APHIS cooperators worldwide will find this research product essential for their own work.
NONE.
Review Publications
Kula, R.R. 2016. Cardiochilinae and Ichneutinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) of Konza Prairie. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 118(2):273-288.
Kula, R.R., Harms, N.E. 2016. A new species of Chaenusa Haliday sensu lato (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from the Nearctic Region. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 118(1):101-108.
Fernandez-Triana, J., Whitfield, J.B., Smith, M.A., Kula, R.R., Hallwachs, W., Janzen, D.H. 2015. Revision of the genera Microplitis and Snellenius (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) from Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, Costa Rica, with a key to all species previously described from Mesoamerica. Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift . 62(2):137-201.
Letourneau, D.K., Bothwell, A.G., Kula, R.R., Sharkey, M.J., Stireman, J.I. 2015. Habitat eradication and cropland intensification may reduce parasitoid diversity and natural pest control services in annual crop fields. Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene. 3:1-13.
Triapitsyn, S., Petrice, T., Gates, M.W., Bauer, L.S. 2015. Two new species of Oobius Trjapitzin (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) egg parasitoids of Agrilus spp. (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) from the USA, including a key and taxonomic notes on other congeneric Nearctic taxa. ZooKeys. 498:29-50.
Buffington, M.L., Copeland, R. 2015. Muhaka icipeins, an enigmatic new genus and species of Kleidotomini (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Eucoilinae) from an East African coastal forest. Journal of Natural History. doi: 10.1080/00222933.2015.1042411.
Daane, K., Wang, X., Biondi, A., Miller, B., Miller, J.C., Riedl, H., Shearer, P.W., Guerrieri, E., Giorgini, M., Buffington, M.L., Van Achterberg, K., Song, Y., Kang, T., Yi, H., Jung, C., Lee, D., Chung, B., Hoelmer, K.A., Walton, V.M. 2016. First foreign exploration for asian parasitoids of Drosophila suzukii. Journal of Pest Science. doi: 10.1007/s10340-016-0740-0.
Agrain, F.A., Buffington, M.L., Chaboo, C.S., Chamorro, M.L., Scholler, M.S. 2015. Leaf beetles are ant-nest beetles: the curious life of the juvenile stages of case-bearers (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cryptocephalinae). ZooKeys. 547:133-164.
Kawada, R., Buffington, M.L. 2016. Advanced imaging techniques III: a scalable and modular dome illumination system for scientific microphotography on a budget. PLoS One. 11(5):e0153426. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153426.
Lake, E., Gates, M.W., Smith, M., Witkus, G., Pratt, P. 2015. First report of an egg parasitoid reared from Neomusotima conspurcatalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) a biological control agent of Lygodium microphyllum (Polypodiales: Lygodiaceae). Florida Entomologist. 98:(4):1244-1246.
Buffington, M.L., Forshage, M. 2016. Redescription of Ganaspis brasiliensis (Ihering, 1905), new combination, (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) a natural enemy of the invasive Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 118(1):1-13.doi: 10.4289/0013-8797.118.1.1.
Buffington, M.L., Melika, G., Davis, M., Elkinton, J.S. 2016. The description of Zapatella davisae, new species, (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) a pest gall wasp of black oak (Quercus velutina) in New England. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 118(1): 14-26.doi: 10.4289/0013-8797.118.1.14.
Yao, Y., Duan, J.J., Hopper, K.R., Mottern, J.L., Gates, M.W. 2016. A new species of genus Oobius (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) from the Russian Far East that parasitizes eggs of Emerald Ash Borer. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 1-10: doi: 10.1093/aesa/saw022.
