Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #368738
Research Project: Identification, Evaluation, and Implementation of Biological Control Agents for Invasive Weeds of Southeastern Ecosystems

Location: Invasive Plant Research Laboratory

Title: THREE SPECIES OF HETEROPERREYIA (HYMENOPTERA: PERGIDAE) FEEDING ON BRAZILIAN PEPPERTREES, SCHINUS SPP. (ANACARDIACEAE), INCLUDING A NEW SPECIES

Author
item Smith, David
item Wheeler, Gregory
item SANCHEZ-RESTREPO, A.F. - Fuedei
item MC KAY, FERNANDO - Fuedei
item GUALA, M. - Fuedei
item CORIA, C. - Fuedei

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/26/2019
Publication Date: 11/23/2019
Citation: Smith, D.R., Wheeler, G.S., Sanchez-Restrepo, A., Mc Kay, F., Guala, M., Coria, C. 2019. THREE SPECIES OF HETEROPERREYIA (HYMENOPTERA: PERGIDAE) FEEDING ON BRAZILIAN PEPPERTREES, SCHINUS SPP. (ANACARDIACEAE), INCLUDING A NEW SPECIES. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 121(4):704-719. https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.121.4.704.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.121.4.704

Interpretive Summary: Brazilian peppertree a perennial tree native to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Worldwide, Brazilian peppertree is one of the most aggressive and widespread invasive species especially in Florida, Hawaii, and Texas (USA). During a recent survey in Brazil and Argentina searching for new biological control agents of this weed, USDA scientists discovered a new insect species. This new species is a member of the Heteroperreyia genus, similar to a rejected biological control agent for Brazilian peppertree. This new species is known only from southern Brazil where it was only collected feeding on the weed, Brazilian peppertree. Both traditional morphology and molecular techniques were used to distinguish this from other known species.

Technical Abstract: Three species of the sawfly genus Heteroperreyia Schrottky are now known to feed on Schinus spp. (Anacardiaceae): H. jorgenseni (Jörgensen), H. hubrichi Malaise, and H. kava Smith, n. sp. All occur from southeastern Brazil to northeastern Argentina. The species separation is supported by the description, illustrations, and genetic differences included here.