Taxonomic notes on primary and secondary parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae and Signiphoridae) of Hypogeococcus spp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Argentina

Abstract

A review is presented of the hymenopterous parasitoids, and their hyperparasitoids, associated with Hypogeococcus spp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), mealybugs that feed on Alternanthera spp., other Amaranthaceae, and various native cacti (Cactaceae). These parasitic Hymenoptera species were collected and reared in the course of a survey conducted in Argentina during 2010-2014. Of particular interest are the encyrtid (Encyrtidae) primary parasitoids of H. pungens Granara de Willink which are potential candidate biological control agents against a Hypogeococcus sp. (commonly called the Harrisia cactus mealybug and identified as H. pungens but possibly not belonging to that species) which threatens the native cacti in some Caribbean islands and Florida, USA, and is devastating the native columnar cacti in Puerto Rico. A Leptomastidea sp. (Encyrtidae) is for the first time recorded from Argentina as a primary parasitoid of Hypogeococcus spp. including H. pungens. The two hyperparasitoids collected in Argentina are Chartocerus axillaris De Santis (Signiphoridae) and Prochiloneurus sp. (Encyrtidae); the latter belongs to an undescribed species. Taxonomic notes are also provided on Gyranusoidea pseudococci (Brèthes) (Encyrtidae) [= Leptomastidea pseudococci Brèthes, for which a lectotype is designated]; it is also a primary mealybug parasitoid but not of Hypogeococcus spp.

Keywords

• Hypogeococcus
• mealybug
• parasitoid
• Leptomastidea
• hyperparasitoid
• Chartocerus