Some biological characteristics of the ectoparasitoid Dineulophus phtorimaeae (de Santis) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and field interaction with the endoparasitoid Pseudapanteles dignus (Muesebeck), both larval parasitoids of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), were examined. In addition, we completed the original description of D. phtorimaeae. Preimaginal developmental time of the ectoparasitoid was 11.17 ± 0.60 d for both sexes, and adult life span was 11.73 ± 0.92 d for females and 8.78 ± 0.93 d for males. The proportion of males to females was equal. In the field, hosts were parasitized at the third larval instar. On average, a female attacked ca. four hosts throughout her lifetime and deposited eggs in ≈50% of cases. The most successful female attacked six hosts, yielding a potential fecundity of ≈10 eggs. Host paralysis without parasitism was observed, suggesting stinging for host feeding. The daily oviposition curve is compatible with a synovigenic-type parasitoid. Our prediction stating that D. phtorimaeae would succeed when competing for hosts with P. dignus was correct, because the former species had greater parasitism rates. In the field, both T. absoluta parasitoids were able to coexist at leaf scale. The negative aspects of differences in feeding behavior, narrower host range (third instar), and lower fecundity of D. phtorimaeae would be compensated by its better attributes as natural enemy, in comparison with P. dignus, enabling coexistence.
We report the first record of Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood) parasitizing larvae of the tomato moth, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), in tomato crops in Northern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Tomato moth larvae were sampled during four consecutive growing cycles, between 2003 and 2005, in 10 sites. Neochrysocharis formosa was present only in organic outdoor and protected crops, and predominantly during the late season. Parasitism rates varied from 1.5% to 5%. The finding of this species is a new record for Argentina and South America, and T. absoluta is a new host record.
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