Notes on distribution, host associations, and bionomics of Erythmelus klopomor Triapitsyn (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), an egg parasitoid of lace bugs in Missouri, USA, with particular reference to its primary host Corythucha arcuata (Say)(Hemiptera, Tingida)

Abstract

The fairyfly Erythmelus klopomor Triapitsyn (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae) is an idiobiont, multivoltine egg parasitoid of lace bugs (Hemiptera, Tingidae). The parasitoid apparently reproduces thelytokously and at present is only known in the USA from 36 counties in Missouri, two in Illinois, four in Florida and one each in North Carolina and Maryland. At least a somewhat wider occurrence of the parasitoid is indicated because of the ease by which it has been reared from its primary host the oak lace bug, Corythucha arcuata (Say). It also has been reared in Missouri from the additional hosts C. cydoniae (Fitch), C. marmorata (Uhler), C. pergandei Heidemann, C. ciliata (Say), and also from Gargaphia solani Heidemann (a new host record). The parasitoid is short lived with an average life cycle of 14.5 days and apparently overwinters as an adult. Erythmelus klopomor should be considered as a candidate classical biological control agent against the recently introduced C. arcuata in Bulgaria, northern Italy, Switzerland, and Turkey, and also possibly against the well-established invasive C. ciliata in Europe.

Keywords

• Mymaridae, Erythmelus klopomor, distribution, host association, lace bugs, Corythucha, classical biological control.