Biocontrol Science and Technology (2012) 22, 61-66

Elad Chiel, Dan Gerling, Shimon Steinberg, Johannette Klapwijk, Karel Bolckmans and Einat Zchori-Fein (2012)
Contagious sterility in the parasitoid wasp Eretmocerus mundus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)
Biocontrol Science and Technology 22 (1), 61-66
Abstract: The parasitoid wasp Eretmocerus mundus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is used commercially to control the sweet potato whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Recently, a rapid deterioration of E. mundus populations has been documented under mass-rearing conditions. We found that deteriorating cultures consist of increasing proportions of sterile individuals, up to 90% within 6 months. Microscopic examination revealed that the gonads of wasps from both sexes are severely underdeveloped. Preliminary screening for potential pathogen candidates by means of polymerase chain reaction and denaturating-gradient gel electrophoresis did not provide any indication of possible causative agents.
(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): Einat Zchori-Fein, Elad Chiel

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
rearing/culturing/mass production

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Bemisia tabaci
Eretmocerus mundus (parasitoid)	Bemisia tabaci