Journal of Pest Science - SPECIAL ISSUE 2019: The South American tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta: recent advances in management methods against the background of an ongoing worldwide invasion

SALAS GERVASSIO N.G; AQUINO D; VALLINA C; BIONDI A; LUNA MG

JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE

SPRINGER HEIDELBERG

Lugar: HEIDELBERG; Año: 2019

1612-4758

We conducted a review of published information on T. absoluta parasitoids for the Neotropical region to (1) corroborate species records, (2) analyze associations including the T. absoluta, other insect and plant hosts, and (3) identify research directions for enhancing their use as biological control agents. The literature review shows more than 50 species or morphospecies of Hymenoptera associated with T. absoluta, but less than a half (23) could be confirmed as parasitizing T. absoluta. As a result of erroneous reports or invalid names of species, and two new species records were found. Over a 100 pest and non-economically important insect and cultivated and non-cultivated plants directly or indirectly interact with T. absoluta in the Neotropical region. Four T. absoluta parasitoid species include in their host range predatory insects or act as hyperparasitoids, a negative feature considered for a biocontrol agent. Five larval parasitoids seem to have a narrow host range and could be considered for classical biocontrol programs in the areas of new invasion. Six Trichogrammatidae species are commercially used various countries; of those, T. minutum and T. pretiosum are considered to be moderately generalist, being able to exploit several insect resources. Apart from Apanteles gelechiidivoris and Pseudapanteles dignus, other native species have been the subject of field studies to determine their biocontrol efficacy. The review presented here provides useful insights for identifying species that deserve further evaluation as T. absoluta biocontrol agents through augmentative or conservation strategies in South America, as well as for potential T. absoluta classical biological control programs in other continents.