International Journal of Tropical Insect Science (2011) 31, 118-121

Bruno Zaché, Ronelza Rodrigues da Costa Zaché, Everton Pires Soliman and Carlos Frederico Wilcken (2011)
Evaluation of Trichospilus diatraeae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) as parasitoid of the eucalyptus defoliator Euselasia eucerus (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae)
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 31 (1-2), 118-121
Abstract: Lepidopteran pests have occurred in eucalyptus plantations in Brazil since 1948, reaching high population levels, reducing tree growth and causing considerable losses in wood production. The control of defoliating caterpillars in eucalyptus forests is complex, mainly due to the large extent of forest plantations and tree height, necessitating the aerial application of chemical or biological insecticides. Due to this complexity, alternative control methods have been proposed, for instance biological control through the use of parasitoids. Trichospilus diatraeae Cherian and Margabandhu, 1942 is a gregarious pupal parasitoid that preferentially attacks species of the order Lepidoptera. This is the first report of T. diatraeae parasitizing pupae of the eucalyptus defoliator Euselasia eucerus Hewitson in Brazil. This parasitoid offers new perspectives for the biological control programmes of this species in eucalyptus plantations in Brazil.
(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): Carlos Frederico Wilcken

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Euselasia eucerus	Eucalypt (Eucalyptus)
Trichospilus diatraeae (parasitoid)	Euselasia eucerus	Eucalypt (Eucalyptus)