On the identity of Trichogramma demoraesi Nagaraja (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), with a checklist and a key to Trichogramma species associated with Erinnyis ello (L.) (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae) in Brazil

Abstract

Specimens collected from eggs of the cassava hornworm Erinnyis ello, originally identified as T. demoraesi, were compared with the paratype of this species. Based on morphological analysis, the specimens from E. ello actually belong to Trichogramma marandobai Brun, Moraes and Soares, 1986. Therefore, T. demoraesi is not a parasitoid of the eggs of E. ello, a major pest of cassava. The main features separating the two species, and a checklist and key to the species of Trichogramma associated with E. ello are presented.

Annotated checklist and illustrated key to the species of Trichogramma Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) from South America

“…Trichogramma demoraesi was erroneously identified in Brazil as a parasitoid of Erinyis ello, a major pest of cassava. Examination of the paratype of T. demoraesi revealed that it was misidentified and actually corresponds to T. marandobai (Vieira et al 2014). Therefore, T. demoraesi does not parasitize E. ello in Brazil (Vieira et al 2014), and all records on that host previous 2014 are misidentifications.…”

“…Examination of the paratype of T. demoraesi revealed that it was misidentified and actually corresponds to T. marandobai (Vieira et al 2014). Therefore, T. demoraesi does not parasitize E. ello in Brazil (Vieira et al 2014), and all records on that host previous 2014 are misidentifications. The most conspicuous character to separate these species is the dorsal lamina, which is narrow at the base and fork-shaped in T. demoraesi, and broader and not fork-shaped in T. marandobai.…”

“…The most conspicuous character to separate these species is the dorsal lamina, which is narrow at the base and fork-shaped in T. demoraesi, and broader and not fork-shaped in T. marandobai. Trichogramma demoraesi was redescribed by Vieira et al (2014…”

“…Diagnosis. Genital capsule long; dorsal lamina tapering from apex to base, not extending beyond apex of volsellae, dorsal lamina with narrow posterior extension and rounded apex at same level as intervolsellar process; intervolsellar process long and stout, ventral carina not extending beyond middle of genital capsule; flagelliform setae relatively short, tapering at apex (Vieira et al 2014(Vieira et al , 2015.…”

“…This species can be readily separated from all other South American species by the dorsal lamina with lateral lobes extending laterally beyond the margin of the genital capsule. Trichogramma manicobai is one of the South American species that parasitize Erinnyis ello exclusively(Vieira et al 2014). It was redescribed byQuerino et al (2017).…”