Australian Journal of Entomology (2006) 45, 96-100

Scott Hardwick (2006)
Parasitoids and hyperparasitoids of Mythimna convecta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae infesting late-maturing maize in southern New South Wales
Australian Journal of Entomology 45 (1), 96-100
Abstract: After several reports of late-maturing maize in Murrumbidgee valley, southern New South Wales, Australia, being severely damaged by armyworm, five crops were surveyed for the presence of larvae in April 2003. Mythimna convecta Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was the only species successfully reared from armyworm larvae collected in the field. Ninety-six per cent of armyworm larvae collected were parasitised. Five parasitoid species, Cuphocera sp. nr pilosa (Malloch), Ceromya horma (Malloch), Tritaxys scutellate (Macquart), Chaetophthalmus sp. (Diptera: Tachinidae) and Netelia sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) were reared from M. convecta larvae. Cuphocera sp. nr pilosa was the most frequently encountered parasitoid being reared from 83% of M. convecta larvae collected. Examination of maize plants at each collection site showed high numbers of tachinid puparia adhering to plants. Cuphocera sp. nr pilosa was the only species reared from these puparia. Of the Cu. sp. nr pilosa puparia collected, 23-83% were parasitised by five parasitoid wasps: Trichomalopsis sp. Crawford (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), Brachymeria sp. Westwood, Eupelmus sp. Dalman (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae), Perilampus sp. Latreille (Hymenoptera: Perilampidae) and a species belonging to the family Diapriidae.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Scott Hardwick

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Mythimna convecta	Maize/corn (Zea mays)	Australia (South+SE)
Ceromya horma (parasitoid)	Mythimna convecta	Maize/corn (Zea mays)	Australia (South+SE)
Tritaxys scutellate (parasitoid)	Mythimna convecta	Maize/corn (Zea mays)	Australia (South+SE)