First record of Diaeretus leucopterus (Haliday) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae), the parasitoid of the aphid species, Eulachnus agilis (Kaltenbach) (Hemiptera, Aphididae) in North Africa

Abstract

Abstract A survey of pine-associated aphids and their parasitoids was carried out in the arboretum of Pinus halepensis Miller in the Higher Agronomic Institute Chott Mariem (ISA CM, Tunisia) during 2010–2011 and 2018. The survey revealed the presence of the aphid parasitoid species, Diaeretus leucopterus (Haliday) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae). This is the first record of D. leucopterus from Tunisia and the African continent. The parasitoid emerged from the spotted green pine needle aphid, Eulachnus agilis (Kaltenbach) (Hemiptera, Aphididae, Lachninae), on P. halepensis. The generalist hyperparasitoid, Asaphes suspensus (Nees) (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae), was also found attacking D. leucopterus. The diagnosis of the primary parasitoid, on the basis of relevant illustrations, was provided, and the possible routes of its transportation into North Africa were discussed.

Keywords

• Pine aphids
• Eulachnus agilis
• Diaeretus leucopterus
• Hyperparasitoids
• Tunisia