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Title: THE STEM-BORING SAWFLY GENUS CEPHUS (HYMENOPTERA: CEPHIDAE) IN JAPAN

Author
item Smith, David
item SHINOHARA, AKIHIKO - NATIONAL SCIENCE MUSEUM

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/25/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Stem-boring sawflies feeding on grasses cause millions of dollars annually in losses to cultivated grain crops such as wheat. A North American species, the wheat stem sawfly, is believed to originate from or have its closest relatives in eastern Asia. Because eastern Asia is the most promising area to search for biological control agents, it is necessary to know what stem-boring sawflies occur there and their distributions. Two species of grass stem-boring sawflies, one of which is newly recorded, occur in Japan. The two species are identified, described, and illustrated. Results of this study will help biological control personnel in their search for natural enemies of the wheat stem sawfly, the control of which will be of great financial benefit to wheat growers. Knowledge of stem-boring sawflies in Japan will also be beneficial to APHIS and will aid in identification of potential invasive species.

Technical Abstract: Two species of Cephus occur in Japan, C. hyalinatus Konow from Hokkaido and C. brachycercus Thomson, newly recorded from Japan, from Honshu. Clarification of past records of Cephus in Japan are presented. A key, descriptions, and illustrations of the abdomen are given for both species.