Pediobius cajanus sp. n. (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), an important natural enemy of the Asian fly (Melanagromyza obtusa (Malloch)) (Diptera, Agromyzidae) in the Dominican Republic

By

Taveras, Rosina
Hansson, Christer

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2015

Original Publication

Journal of Hymenoptera research

Volume

45

Pages

41-54

Subjects

Guandul , Neotropics , potential biocontrol agent

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Washington, D.C International Society of Hymenopterists

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/JHR.45.4964

 

Abstract

Pediobius cajanus sp. n. is described based on material from the Dominican Republic, where it is widespread, and it is anticipated to have a much larger distribution in tropical America. It is compared to other species of Pediobius from the New World, and is also compared to P. vignae (Risbec), a similar species from Africa with similar biology. The new species is a gregarious endoparasitoid of the pupae of the Asian fly, Melanagromyza obtusa (Malloch), an agromyzid that causes major damage to pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan (L). Millspauh. In the Dominican Republic P. cajanus sp. n. is the most important parasitoid of this pest. Details on its biology are provided.