Expansion in the distribution of Pauesia silana Tremblay (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae), across North Africa, a recent discovery in Tunisia

Abstract

The occurrence of Pauesia silana Tremblay, as an aphid parasitoid (Hym., Braconidae, Aphidiinae) in Tunisia is documented. The parasitoid was found in association with the Aleppo pine aphid, Cinara palaestinensis Hille Ris Lambers, infesting Pinus halepensis. Specimens were collected by the rearing of the mummified aphids from the colonies infested the pine trees in the Arboretum of the Institut Supérieur Agronomique Chott Mériem (ISA CM -Tunisia) during March-April 2021. A brief diagnosis is provided for the recorded parasitoid. This is the first record of a Pauesia species in Tunisia (out of the purposeful introduction of Pauesia antennata Mukerji). Two secondary parasitoids including Asaphes vulgaris Walker and Pachyneuron aphidis (Bouché) (Hym., Chalcidoidea, Pteromalidae) have also emerged from the mummified aphids. The known Cinara aphids and their associated parasitoids in the North African country are reviewed. Both Aleppo pine aphid and the newly detected parasitoid might be considered exotic species in North Africa, sourced from a recent accidental introduction inside the Mediterranean area, or a horizontal expansion across the North African countries.