Journal of Insect Science (2021) 21 (2 - ieab020)

A.L. Favoreto, M.M. Domingues, J.E. Serrão, M.F. Ribeiro, C.A.D. Silva, J.C. Zanuncio and C.F. Wilcken (2021)
Courtship, mating behavior, and ovary histology of the nymph parasitoid Psyllaephagus bliteus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)
Journal of Insect Science 21 (2 - ieab020)
Abstract: The potential of the parasitoid Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek for the biological control of the eucalyptus pest Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) nymphs is high. This research sought to analyze the courtship, male competition, and mating behavior of P. bliteus at the proportions of 1:1 and 2:1 males to female in a Petri dish (5 cm diameter), and to describe the ovary histology of virgin and mated females of this parasitoid. At 1:1, males touch the antennae and thorax–abdomen of females during courtship, but females avoid mate attempts before they are 48 h old. At 2:1, the competition between male parasitoids inhibits mating. The histology of ovaries of virgin and mated P. bliteus females is similar, with two well-defined germarium and vitellarium regions, with oocytes at different developmental stages, including mature ones rich in yolk and with eggshell. A clearer understanding of the reproductive behavior and histology of P. bliteus aids in the use of this parasitoid for the biological control of G. brimblecombei.
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Full text of article
Database assignments for author(s): José Eduardo Serrao, José Cola Zanuncio, 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.
	Glycaspis brimblecombei	Eucalypt (Eucalyptus)	Brazil (south)
Psyllaephagus bliteus (parasitoid)	Glycaspis brimblecombei	Eucalypt (Eucalyptus)	Brazil (south)