POPULATION CHARACTERIZATION OF INTRODUCED BALCHA INDICA (MANI & KAUL) (HYMENOPTERA: EUPELMIDAE) IN NORTH AMERICA, A PARASITOID OF EMERALD ASH BORER, AGRILUS PLANIPENNIS FAIRMAIRE (COLEOPTERA: BUPRESTIDAE).

Authors: Gates, Michael; GIBSON, GARY - CANDIAN NATIONAL COLLECTI; BAUER, LEAH - USDA FOREST SERVICE; LIU, HOUPING - MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/2005
Publication Date: 12/15/2005
Citation: Gates, M.W., Gibson, G.A., Bauer, L., Liu, H. 2005. Population characterization of introduced Balcha indica (Mani & Kaul) (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) in North America, a parasitoid of Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Meeting Abstract.(#183699: December 15, 2005)

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Old World eupelmid wasp, Balcha indica(Mani & Kaul), has been known from North America since its collection in Virginia in 1995. It was subsequently discovered parasitizing the Emerald Ash Borer in Michigan in 2003 and suburban Maryland later that same year. This wasp appears to be parthenogenetic and we are exploring the hypothesis that this species was introduced twice into the United States. Cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequence data is being used to examine the relationships of representatives of three sampled North American populations