You can run, but you will never escape: A new species of Psyllaephagus Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae), parasitoid of the classical biological control agent Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Moore) (Hemiptera, Aphalaridae) in Florida, USA

By

Mcclelland, Alana
Moore, Matthew R.
Bremer, Jonathan
Talamas, Elijah
Halbert, Susan
Singarayan, Virgine
Brown, Bradley
Purcell, Matthew
Brookes, Dean
Hentz, Matthew

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025

Original Publication

Journal of Hymenoptera research

Volume

98

Pages

95--116

Subjects

biocontrol , Melaleuca quinquenervia , taxonomy , Tri-trophic

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Washington, D.C International Society of Hymenopterists

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.98.133593

 

Abstract

Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) is an invasive tree in Florida, USA, for which a psyllid, Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Moore) (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), was successfully established in April, 2002 to control its spread. A parasitoid wasp, Psyllaephagus migrator McClelland, sp. nov. was found to parasitize this psyllid in Australia, which we consider to be its native range, and in Florida, where we consider it to be adventive. We provide a description, high resolution images and morphological diagnosis for P. migrator and a molecular data set of five gene regions to facilitate its identification and use in phylogenetic studies. The biology of the parasitoid is presented with documentation of its immature stages. Trapping data suggest that P. migrator has reduced populations of the biocontrol agent B. melaleucae in Florida.