The Hymenopterous Parasites (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae Et Aphelinidae) of the Pea Aphid in Eastern North America

Abstract

The adults, mummies, and final-instar larvae of the eight hymenopterous parasites of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), in Eastern Canada are described and illustrated. The history, synonymy, and biology of each species, and the problems of species differentiation in two of the genera, Aphidius and Praon, are discussed. Keys are given to separate the adults, mummies, and cast skins of the last larval instar.

Notes on the taxonomy and nomenclature ofAphidius species [Hym.: aphidiidae] parasitic on the pea aphid in North America

“…I have examined specimens used by SMITH to redescribe nigripes, and most of them are identical with the lectotype ofpisivorus on the basis of the lateral sculpturing of the petiole. Furthermore, examination of this character has revealed that pisivorus is a distinct species and not a synonym ofpuleher or ervi as proposed by MACKAUER (1963) and MACKAUER & FINLAYSON (1967). The figure presented by EADY (1969, p. 171, fig.…”

“…I consider this to be the only definite host at present. Biological references to pulcher or ervipulcher by COOKE (1963), MACKAUER & FINLAYSON (1967), BERRY (1969), MACKAUER (1976), and ANGALET & FUESTER (1977) (1974) is of the opinion that ervi occurred in North America prior to these releases, having reached this continent via the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, and the Pacific Coast. My examination of specimens indicates that this is a possibility.…”

“…This has involved introductions and releases of both foreign and domestic species. Summaries of the history of Aphidius research on the pea aphid can be found in MACKAUER & FINLAYSON (1967), MACKAUER & CAMPBELL (1972), HALFHILL et aL (1972), STARq (1974), and ANGALET & FUESTER (1977). In recent years research into the systematics of the Aphidius species has caused considerable confusion as to the exact identity of the parasites.…”

Temporal and within-plant distribution of the parasitoid and predator complexes associated with Acyrthosiphon pisum and A. kondoi (Homoptera: Aphididae) on alfalfa in Japan

“…Their infestation causes deformation of leaves and stunting of the plants (Schepers, 1989;Cuperus et al, 1982), and they are also vectors of plant viruses (Sylvester, 1989;Bosque Perez and Buddenhagen, 1990). These aphids are associated with a large assemblage of insect natural enemies such as Hymenopteran parasitoids, and Coccinellid, Syrphid, Nabid, Anthocorid, and Chrysopid predators (Mackauer and Finlayson, 1967;Takada, 1968;Wheeler, 1977;Ekbom, 1994;Brodeur and Rosenheim, 2000).…”

Revision of the asychis species group of Aphelinus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

“…Ferrière (1965) and Nikol'skaya and Yasnosh (1966) synonymized A. semiflavus with A. asychis. Mackauer and Finlayson (1967) argued that they should remain separate because they differ in host ranges, and could be cryptic species. Aphelinus semiflavus has since been treated as a valid species by several researchers (Raney 1971, Raney et al 1973, Ro and Long 1997.…”