Naturally occurring egg parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in a pomegranate orchard in Tunisia

Abstract

Four Trichogramma species were found in a pomegranate orchard in Gabès, an arid region of Tunisia, from parasitized eggs of Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), an economically important insect pest. Identification based on assessment of male genitalia and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences showed that they were T. bourarachae Pintureau and Babault, 1988, T. oleae Voegelé and Pointel, 1979, T. cacoeciae Marchal, 1927 and T. evanescens Westwood, 1833. Trichogramma evanescens is reported for the first time in Tunisia. Trichogramma cacoeciae was the largely dominant species in the analyzed samples, whereas T. bourarachae was present in a minor portion of 1.38%. The implications of these results for attempts at controlling E. ceratoniae are discussed.

First report on Virachola livia Klug. (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) and its effects on different pomegranate varieties in Tunisia

“…Finally, according to our preliminary observations, more investigation must be carried out in Tunisia in order to better understand the biology and the behaviour of this new pest. In conclusion, previous work (Ksentini et al. , 2010) showed the occurrence of four Trichogramma species in Gabès pomegranate microclimate.…”

“…Finally, according to our preliminary observations, more investigation must be carried out in Tunisia in order to better understand the biology and the behaviour of this new pest. In conclusion, previous work (Ksentini et al, 2010) showed the occurrence of four Trichogramma species in Gabès pomegranate microclimate. Rearing and releasing these indigenous beneficials which are well adapted to the Tunisian conditions might help to control Virachola livia attacks, and they could be considered as appropriate candidates to be incorporated into integrated pest management programmes against the pomegranate butterfly.…”

Iranian Trichogramma: ITS2 DNA characterization and natural Wolbachia infection

“…This species has been extensively used in inundative release programmes against the European corn borer, O. nubilalis (Hafez et al 1999) and the grape moth L. botrana (Barnay et al 2001) in Germany and France, respectively. It has also been reported from pomegranate orchards in Tunisia (Ksentini et al 2010). We also collected T. embryophagum and T. cacoeciae from E. ceratoniae eggs in pomegranate orchards.…”

Fertility life table parameters of different strains ofTrichogrammaspp. collected from eggs of the carob mothEctomyelois ceratoniae

“…The carob moth Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is considered to be one of the key pests on carob, pomegranate, dates, citrus and almond worldwide (Gothilf 1969;Ksentini et al 2010). In Iran this pest annually causes considerable losses in pomegranate orchards.…”