Reproductive Parameters and Host Specificity of <i>Eurytoma erythrinae</i> (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Erythrina Gall Wasp, <i>Quadrastichus erythrinae</i> (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)
<i>Eurytoma erythrinae</i> Gates & Delvare (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) is an important biological control agent of the erythrina gall wasp (EGW), <i>Quadrastichus erythrinae</i> Kim (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), an invasive species likely originating in eastern Africa that is...
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/12/923 |
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| author | Walter T. Nagamine Juliana A. Yalemar Mark G. Wright Mohsen M. Ramadan |
| author_facet | Walter T. Nagamine Juliana A. Yalemar Mark G. Wright Mohsen M. Ramadan |
| author_sort | Walter T. Nagamine |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Eurytoma erythrinae</i> Gates & Delvare (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) is an important biological control agent of the erythrina gall wasp (EGW), <i>Quadrastichus erythrinae</i> Kim (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), an invasive species likely originating in eastern Africa that is a threat to <i>Erythrina</i> trees in Hawaii and worldwide. Thousands of <i>Erythrina</i> trees in Hawaii have succumbed to EGW since 2005 and died within a few years of infestation. The endemic wiliwili tree, <i>Erythrina sandwicensis</i>, an important component of Hawaii’s dry forests and one of few deciduous native trees, were severely impacted by this wasp. Early during the invasion by EGW it became evident that the endemic species may be driven to extinction, and exploration programs for natural enemies of the EGW started in December 2005. East Africa was selected as the starting point for natural enemy exploration owing to high native <i>Erythina</i> species richness. Several gall formers were found in Tanzania and a putative color variant type of <i>Q. erythrinae</i> was detected in association with three ectoparasitoids. During January 2006, the dominant parasitoid of this gall former was introduced to Hawaii and described as the new species, <i>E. erythrinae</i>. It was found in Ghana and South Africa attacking other gall wasp species on <i>Erythrina</i>. <i>Eurytoma erythrinae</i> was a voracious ectoparasitoid feeding as a predator on 1–5 adjacent EGW immatures to complete its development. Host specificity studies that included seven nontarget gall-forming species showed no evidence of attraction or parasitism by this parasitoid. Mean ± SEM longevity of host-deprived females (40.4 ± 2.2 days) was significantly higher than males (20.5 ± 1.1 days). Host feeding enhanced longevity of ovipositing females (51.3 ± 1.5 days). Female <i>E. erythrinae</i> is synovigenic, with high egg-maturation rate. Peak fecundity (105–239 offspring/female), host feeding biology, short life cycle (18.4 ± 0.1 days), and synchronization with the host were additional desirable attributes of this species. The parasitoid was approved for field release in Hawaii in November 2008. A total of 3998 wasps were distributed on six Hawaiian Islands, with establishment in less than a year. Impacts on high density infestations of EGW were sufficient to prevent tree deaths. Limited rates of parasitism on low-density galled leaves, flowers, and seedpods necessitated the consideration for releasing a second parasitoid, <i>Aprostocetus nitens</i> Prinsloo & Kelly (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). We report on the reproductive characteristics and host specificity of <i>E. erythinae</i> that could be of importance for classical biocontrol programs in areas with an EGW problem. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:40:24Z |
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| spelling | doaj.art-fbd9bc5a3f674b97956636eb8ef767f92023-12-22T14:16:14ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502023-12-01141292310.3390/insects14120923Reproductive Parameters and Host Specificity of <i>Eurytoma erythrinae</i> (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Erythrina Gall Wasp, <i>Quadrastichus erythrinae</i> (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)Walter T. Nagamine0Juliana A. Yalemar1Mark G. Wright2Mohsen M. Ramadan3Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry, 1428 South King St., Honolulu, HI 96814, USAHawaii Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry, 1428 South King St., Honolulu, HI 96814, USADepartment of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 3050 Maile Way, Honolulu, HI 96822, USAHawaii Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry, 1428 South King St., Honolulu, HI 96814, USA<i>Eurytoma erythrinae</i> Gates & Delvare (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) is an important biological control agent of the erythrina gall wasp (EGW), <i>Quadrastichus erythrinae</i> Kim (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), an invasive species likely originating in eastern Africa that is a threat to <i>Erythrina</i> trees in Hawaii and worldwide. Thousands of <i>Erythrina</i> trees in Hawaii have succumbed to EGW since 2005 and died within a few years of infestation. The endemic wiliwili tree, <i>Erythrina sandwicensis</i>, an important component of Hawaii’s dry forests and one of few deciduous native trees, were severely impacted by this wasp. Early during the invasion by EGW it became evident that the endemic species may be driven to extinction, and exploration programs for natural enemies of the EGW started in December 2005. East Africa was selected as the starting point for natural enemy exploration owing to high native <i>Erythina</i> species richness. Several gall formers were found in Tanzania and a putative color variant type of <i>Q. erythrinae</i> was detected in association with three ectoparasitoids. During January 2006, the dominant parasitoid of this gall former was introduced to Hawaii and described as the new species, <i>E. erythrinae</i>. It was found in Ghana and South Africa attacking other gall wasp species on <i>Erythrina</i>. <i>Eurytoma erythrinae</i> was a voracious ectoparasitoid feeding as a predator on 1–5 adjacent EGW immatures to complete its development. Host specificity studies that included seven nontarget gall-forming species showed no evidence of attraction or parasitism by this parasitoid. Mean ± SEM longevity of host-deprived females (40.4 ± 2.2 days) was significantly higher than males (20.5 ± 1.1 days). Host feeding enhanced longevity of ovipositing females (51.3 ± 1.5 days). Female <i>E. erythrinae</i> is synovigenic, with high egg-maturation rate. Peak fecundity (105–239 offspring/female), host feeding biology, short life cycle (18.4 ± 0.1 days), and synchronization with the host were additional desirable attributes of this species. The parasitoid was approved for field release in Hawaii in November 2008. A total of 3998 wasps were distributed on six Hawaiian Islands, with establishment in less than a year. Impacts on high density infestations of EGW were sufficient to prevent tree deaths. Limited rates of parasitism on low-density galled leaves, flowers, and seedpods necessitated the consideration for releasing a second parasitoid, <i>Aprostocetus nitens</i> Prinsloo & Kelly (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). We report on the reproductive characteristics and host specificity of <i>E. erythinae</i> that could be of importance for classical biocontrol programs in areas with an EGW problem.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/12/923biological control<i>Erythrina sandwicensis</i>EulophidaeEurytomidaeHawaiiwiliwili |
| spellingShingle | Walter T. Nagamine Juliana A. Yalemar Mark G. Wright Mohsen M. Ramadan Reproductive Parameters and Host Specificity of <i>Eurytoma erythrinae</i> (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Erythrina Gall Wasp, <i>Quadrastichus erythrinae</i> (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) Insects biological control <i>Erythrina sandwicensis</i> Eulophidae Eurytomidae Hawaii wiliwili |
| title | Reproductive Parameters and Host Specificity of <i>Eurytoma erythrinae</i> (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Erythrina Gall Wasp, <i>Quadrastichus erythrinae</i> (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) |
| title_full | Reproductive Parameters and Host Specificity of <i>Eurytoma erythrinae</i> (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Erythrina Gall Wasp, <i>Quadrastichus erythrinae</i> (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) |
| title_fullStr | Reproductive Parameters and Host Specificity of <i>Eurytoma erythrinae</i> (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Erythrina Gall Wasp, <i>Quadrastichus erythrinae</i> (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reproductive Parameters and Host Specificity of <i>Eurytoma erythrinae</i> (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Erythrina Gall Wasp, <i>Quadrastichus erythrinae</i> (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) |
| title_short | Reproductive Parameters and Host Specificity of <i>Eurytoma erythrinae</i> (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Erythrina Gall Wasp, <i>Quadrastichus erythrinae</i> (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) |
| title_sort | reproductive parameters and host specificity of i eurytoma erythrinae i hymenoptera eurytomidae a biological control agent of the erythrina gall wasp i quadrastichus erythrinae i hymenoptera eulophidae |
| topic | biological control <i>Erythrina sandwicensis</i> Eulophidae Eurytomidae Hawaii wiliwili |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/12/923 |
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