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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #311302
Title: Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) as a potential natural enemy of corn-infesting Ulidiidae

Author
item OWENS, D. - University Of Florida
item NUESSLY, GREGG - University Of Florida
item Gates, Michael

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/2014
Publication Date: 3/15/2015
Citation: Owens, D., Nuessly, G., Gates, M.W. 2015. Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) as a potential natural enemy of corn-infesting Ulidiidae. Florida Entomologist. 98(1):276-279.

Interpretive Summary: Sweet corn in Florida is produced on 16,000 have and is valued at 180 million dollars. It is attacked by four fly pests, referred to as silk flies. These flies were discovered to be attacked by parasitic wasps with the potential for controlling these flies naturally. This paper reports on the evaluation of the ability of this wasp to locate its host and its resistance to insecticides used to control the flies. This information will be useful to producers, extensions specialists, and scientists.

Technical Abstract: A four-species complex of corn-infesting Ulidiidae (Diptera) are primary sweet corn pests in Florida. Few natural enemies of these flies are known. The pupal parasitoid Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae Rondani (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) was discovered in a laboratory colony of Euxesta eluta Loew (Diptera: Ulidiidae) and investigations into its potential as a biological control agent were conducted, specifically determining its host location abilities and insecticide resistance.