Journal of Economic Entomology (2000) 93, 1380-1390
J.A. Johnson, K.A. Valero, M.M. Hannel and R.F. Gill (2000)
Seasonal occurrence of postharvest dried fruit insects and their parasitoids in a culled fig warehouse
Journal of Economic Entomology 93 (4), 1380-1390
Abstract: Parasitoids of dried-fruit insects were surveyed at a culled fig warehouse in Fresno, CA. Three parasitoids of pyralid larvae were found: Habrobracon hebetor (Say), Venturia canescens (Gravenhorst), and at least one species in the genus Goniozus Förster. Two parasitoids of pyralid pupae also were noted: Mesostenus gracilis (Cresson) and a new species of Psilochalcis Keifer. The latter is a new host association. Several beetle parasitoids were present, including Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard), three species of Cephalonomia Westwood, Laelius centratus (Say), and Cerchysiella utilis Noyes. C. utilis, a parasitoid of driedfruit beetle, Carpophilus hemipterus (L.), is a new record for California. Most activity by parasitoids (detected by yellow flight traps) occurred directly above the fig mass. Pyralid parasitoids exhibited two peaks of seasonal activity; one in late summer through early fall, shortly after new figs were brought into the warehouse, and one in the spring. H. hebetor generally attacked older host larvae, whereas V. canescens equally attacked older and younger larvae, indicating that these two parasitoids may coexist by exploiting different portions of the host population. H. hebetor was active throughout the winter, suggesting that winter release of H. hebetor could be used to control diapausing pyralid populations in dried fruit and nut storage areas.
(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): Judy A. Johnson
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation
