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Title: Description and biological traits of a new species of Paracentrobia (Hymenoptera:Trichogrammatidae), an egg parasitoid of the sharpshooter Tapajosa rubromarginata (Hemiptera:Cicadellidae) in Argentina

Author
item VIRLA, EDUARDO - Consejo Nacional De Investigaciones Científicas Y Técnicas(CONICET)
item LUFT ALBARRACIN, ERICA - Consejo Nacional De Investigaciones Científicas Y Técnicas(CONICET)
item TRIAPITSYN, SERGUEI - University Of California
item VIGGIANI, GENNARO - Universita Di Napoli
item LOGARZO, GUILLERMO - South American Biological Control Lab(SABCL)

Submitted to: Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/17/2009
Publication Date: 4/1/2009
Citation: Virla, E.G., Luft Albarracin, E., Triapitsyn, S.V., Viggiani, G., Logarzo, G.A. 2009. Description and biological traits of a new species of Paracentrobia (Hymenoptera:Trichogrammatidae), an egg parasitoid of the sharpshooter Tapajosa rubromarginata (Hemiptera:Cicadellidae) in Argentina. Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment.Vol.44(1),47-53.

Interpretive Summary: During the studies carried out in South America to identify natural enemies of the glassy winged sharpshooter (GWSS), an undescribed species of a parasitoid that attack eggs of a close relative of the GWSS was discovered. In this article this new species is described and its main biological attributes are reported. Laboratory data suggest a likely potential of this species as a biological control agent.

Technical Abstract: During a survey of egg parasitoids of sharpshooters (Cicadellidae: Cicadellini and Proconiini), an undescribed species of Paracentrobia Howard was detected. It is here described and illustrated, and laboratory data on its life cycle are reported. Paracentrobia tapajosae sp. n. is a primary parasitoid of Agalliana ensigera Oman and Tapajosa rubromarginata (Signoret). Sixty-seven percent of the exposed host eggs were parasitized by P. tapajosae sp. n., and eggs with well-developed sharpshooter embryos were successfully attacked. The developmental cycle from egg to adult was 21.3±2.3 days. Adult longevity was 6.8±4.5 days, with females living longer than males. The sex ratio, considering only mated females, was 1:2.2 (males/females). Under laboratory conditions, P. tapajosae is a facultatively gregarious parasitoid. Laboratory data suggest a likely potential of this species as a biological control agent.