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

VIRLA, EDUARDO; LUFT ALBARRACIN, ERICA; TRIAPITSYN, SERGUEI; VIGGIANI, GENNARO; LOGARZO, GUILLERMO

STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT

TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

Año: 2009 vol. 44 p. 47 - 53

0165-0521

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.