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Allorhogas pyralophagus [Hym.: Braconidae], a gregarious external parasite imported into texas, USA, for biological control of the stalkborerEoreuma loftini [Lep.: Pyralidae] on sugar cane

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Abstract

Allorhogas pyralophagus Marsh is a recently discovered doryctine braconid with potential for field trials against stalk borers infesting both large- and small- stemmed Graminacea. This external gregarious parasite was originally reared fromEoreuma loftini (Dyar) larvae infesting Johnson grass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] and sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) from the states of Sinaloa and Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The parasite is easily reared in the laboratory using a wide range of host larvae [Diatraea spp.,E. loftini, Chilo sp. andTryporyza nivelli (F)]. Hosts are placed in grass stems or paper straws for exposure to ovipositing females.A. pyralophagus has been field released and recovered from the following hosts infesting sugar cane:E. loftini andD. saccharalis (F.) in Texas.Diatraea spp. in Trinidad,D. rufescens in Bolivia andT. nivella in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Résumé

Allorhogas pyralophagus Marsh est un braconide doryctine récemment découvert qui constitue un agent de lutte biologique potentiel contre les mineuses s'attaquant aux cultures de graminées à tiges larges ou étroites. Cet ectoparasite grégaire a été elevé à l'origine à partir de larves d'Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) présentes dans des tiges de sorgo d'Alep [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] et de canne à sucre (Saccharum officinarum L.) récoltées dans les Etats du Sinaloa et du Nuevo Leon au Mexique.A. pyralophagus peut être élevé aisément en laboratoire sur une grande variété d'hôtes [Diatrae spp.E. loftini, Chilo sp., etTryporyza nivella (F.)]. Ces hôtes sont placés dans des tiges de graminées ou des «pailles» en papier pour être ensuite exposés à des femelles prêtes à pondre.A. pyralophagus a été libéré dans des cultures et on l'a retrouvé parasitant les insectes ravageurs de la canne à sucre suivants:E. loftini etD. saccharalis (F.) au Texas,diatraea spp. à Trinidad,D. rufescens en Bolivie, etT. nivella à Sumatra en Indonésie.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Texas A & M University, 77843, College Station, Texas

    J. W. Smith Jr., H. W. Browning & F. D. Bennett

  2. Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, 2415 East Highway 83, 78596, Weslaco, Texas

    J. W. Smith Jr., H. W. Browning & F. D. Bennett

  3. Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, 32611, Gainesville, FL

    J. W. Smith Jr., H. W. Browning & F. D. Bennett

Authors
  1. J. W. Smith Jr.
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  2. H. W. Browning
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  3. F. D. Bennett
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Approved as Contribution No. TA-20743 of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station.

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Smith, J.W., Browning, H.W. & Bennett, F.D. Allorhogas pyralophagus [Hym.: Braconidae], a gregarious external parasite imported into texas, USA, for biological control of the stalkborerEoreuma loftini [Lep.: Pyralidae] on sugar cane. Entomophaga 32, 477–482 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02373516

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02373516

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