Complex of primary and secondary parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae and Signiphoridae) of Hypogeococcus spp. Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in the New World

Se informan los resultados de los relevamientos de los parasitoides primarios y secundarios (hiperparasitoides) de Hypogeococcus spp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) realizados en el Nuevo Mundo durante el período 2009 para 2017 para obtener enemigos naturales de la cochinilla harinosa de los cactus (Harrisia cactus mealybug) Hypogeococcus sp., que está devastando cactus nativos en Puerto Rico y amenaza a los cactus presentes en Islas del Caribe adyacentes. Se registraron cinco especies de Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) como parasitoides primarios de Hypogeococcus spp., incluyendo el recientemente descrito Leptomastidea hypogeococci Triapitsyn sp. n., que es la única especie del género Leptomastidea García Mercet en el Nuevo Mundo cuya clava de la antena de la hembra es contrastantemente blanca. El análisis genético de los individuos de L. hypogeococci de Argentina, Brasil y Puerto Rico (EE. UU.) corrobora los datos morfológicos de que la misma especie se encuentra en América del Sur, las islas del Caribe y Florida (EE. UU.). Se proporciona una clave para las especies del Nuevo Mundo de Leptomastidea. Leptomastidea antillicola Dozier, syn. n. de Puerto Rico es sinonimizado bajo L. abnormis (Girault). Basado en los datos moleculares presentados, Anagyrus ciomperliki Triapitsyn syn. n. (Encyrtidae), originalmente descrito de Puerto Rico, es sinonimizado bajo A. quilmes Triapitsyn, Logarzo & Aguirre, cuyo rango de distribución conocido también se amplía para incluir a Brasil. Anagyrus cachamai Triapitsyn, Logarzo y Aguirre, A. lapachosus Triapitsyn, Aguirre y Logarzo y A. quilmes se registraron recientemente en Paraguay. Se describe el macho previamente desconocido de Prochiloneurus argentinensis (De Santis) (Encyrtidae) de la provincia de Misiones de Argentina, y el de P. narendrani Noyes & Triapitsyn de la Isla de Mona, Puerto Rico. Hasta aquí, Anagyrus cachamai y A. lapachosus se consideran como las principales especies para la introducción desde Argentina y Paraguay a Puerto Rico para el control biológico de la cochinilla harinosa de los cactus. El holotipo de Anagyrus tanystis De Santis de Buenos Aires, Argentina, cuyos hospederos asociados son desconocidos, se ilustra para facilitar su reconocimiento de otras especies congenéricas.Parasitoids, both primary and secondary (hyperparasitoids), of Hypogeococcus spp. mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are reviewed to report results of the surveys in the New World conducted during 2009 to 2017 for prospective natural enemies of the Harrisia cactus mealybug, Hypogeococcus sp., which is devastating native cacti in Puerto Rico and threatening cacti in the adjacent Caribbean islands. Five species of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) are recorded as primary parasitoids of Hypogeococcus spp., including the newly described Leptomastidea hypogeococci Triapitsyn sp. n., which is the only species of the genus Leptomastidea García Mercet in the New World where the clava of the female antenna is contrastingly white. Genetic analysis of the individuals of L. hypogeococci from Argentina, Brazil, and Puerto Rico (USA) corroborates the morphological data that the same species occurs in South America, the Caribbean islands, and Florida (USA). A key to the New World species of Leptomastidea is given and taxonomic notes are provided on its other known species in the Neotropical region. Leptomastidea antillicola Dozier, syn. n. from Puerto Rico is synonymized under L. abnormis (Girault). Based on the presented molecular data, Anagyrus ciomperliki Triapitsyn syn. n. (Encyrtidae), originally described from Puerto Rico, is synonymized under A. quilmes Triapitsyn, Logarzo & Aguirre, where the known distributional range is expanded to also include Brazil. Anagyrus cachamai Triapitsyn, Logarzo & Aguirre, A. lapachosus Triapitsyn, Aguirre & Logarzo, and A. quilmes are newly recorded from Paraguay. The previously unknown male of Prochiloneurus argentinensis (De Santis) (Encyrtidae) is described from Misiones Province of Argentina, and that of P. narendrani Noyes & Triapitsyn is described from Mona Island, Puerto Rico. So far, Anagyrus cachamai and A. lapachosus are considered to be the primary target species for introduction from Argentina and Paraguay into Puerto Rico for the biological control of Harrisia cactus mealybug. The holotype of Anagyrus tanystis De Santis from Buenos Aires, Argentina, host associations are unknown, and is illustrated to facilitate its recognition from other congeneric species.Fil: Triapitsyn, Serguei V.. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Aguirre, María Belén. Fundación para el Estudio de Especies Invasivas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Logarzo, Guillermo Alejandro. Fundación para el Estudio de Especies Invasivas; ArgentinaFil: Hight, Stephen D.. United States Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Research Service; Estados UnidosFil: Ciomperlik, Matthew A.. United States Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Research Service; Estados UnidosFil: Rugman Jones, Paul F.. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Rodrigues, Jose C. Verle. Universidad de Puerto Rico; Puerto Ric

Characterization and separation of indigenous and exotic populations of Diaeretiella rapae (M'intosh) (Hymenoptera : Aphidiidae)

Vita.Laboratory experiments were designed to identify distinct biological attributes that might separate and help clarify the taxonomic status of one indigenous and six exotic populations of Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh). Experiments were conducted to investigate courtship and mating behaviors, host remains characters, host aphid acceptability and suitability, genetic differences, and reproductive isolation among the D. rapae populations. Parasite cultures in this research were selected from those imported and cultured for control of Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko). Observations of mating behavior among D. rapae populations showed a series of distinct components. Qualitative observations and quantitative analyses of the mating behavior components did not distinguish behaviors that could reliably separate the D. rapae populations. Host remains characters including exit hole shape and location, and mummy coloration, could not be used to separate the D. rapae populations. RWA mummy dissections showed no differences among populations regarding shape or color of meconial pellets. Significant differences were determined in the mean number of meconial pellets produced by different parasite populations. However, the magnitude of difference was insufficient for distinct separation of one population from another. Host aphid acceptability and suitability experiments differentiated between three parasite populations based on their unique ability to parasitize a particular host aphid. The Syrian, Spain, and Jordan populations were distinctive because they could develop on cotton aphid, crape myrtle aphid, and yellow pecan aphid, respectively; while the other populations could not. Twenty three enzymes surveyed with starch gel electrophoresis revealed twenty eight distinct loci, and six of these were polymorphic among D. rapae populations. None of the identified loci showed fixed allelic differences between the populations. Analyses of isozyme polymorphism data, using Nei's and Rodger's genetic distance, indicated that the populations were genetically very similar. Reciprocal cross experiments between D. rapae populations showed varying levels of either complete reproductive compatibility, or one- or two-way partial isolation between some D. rapae populations. No cases of complete reproductive isolation were observed. Collectively, these observations indicate that the Syrian, Spain, and Jordan populations of D. rapae are biotypes, and the other populations are geographical strains

Characterization and separation of indigenous and exotic populations of Diaeretiella rapae (M'intosh) (Hymenoptera : Aphidiidae)

Vita.Laboratory experiments were designed to identify distinct biological attributes that might separate and help clarify the taxonomic status of one indigenous and six exotic populations of Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh). Experiments were conducted to investigate courtship and mating behaviors, host remains characters, host aphid acceptability and suitability, genetic differences, and reproductive isolation among the D. rapae populations. Parasite cultures in this research were selected from those imported and cultured for control of Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko). Observations of mating behavior among D. rapae populations showed a series of distinct components. Qualitative observations and quantitative analyses of the mating behavior components did not distinguish behaviors that could reliably separate the D. rapae populations. Host remains characters including exit hole shape and location, and mummy coloration, could not be used to separate the D. rapae populations. RWA mummy dissections showed no differences among populations regarding shape or color of meconial pellets. Significant differences were determined in the mean number of meconial pellets produced by different parasite populations. However, the magnitude of difference was insufficient for distinct separation of one population from another. Host aphid acceptability and suitability experiments differentiated between three parasite populations based on their unique ability to parasitize a particular host aphid. The Syrian, Spain, and Jordan populations were distinctive because they could develop on cotton aphid, crape myrtle aphid, and yellow pecan aphid, respectively; while the other populations could not. Twenty three enzymes surveyed with starch gel electrophoresis revealed twenty eight distinct loci, and six of these were polymorphic among D. rapae populations. None of the identified loci showed fixed allelic differences between the populations. Analyses of isozyme polymorphism data, using Nei's and Rodger's genetic distance, indicated that the populations were genetically very similar. Reciprocal cross experiments between D. rapae populations showed varying levels of either complete reproductive compatibility, or one- or two-way partial isolation between some D. rapae populations. No cases of complete reproductive isolation were observed. Collectively, these observations indicate that the Syrian, Spain, and Jordan populations of D. rapae are biotypes, and the other populations are geographical strains

Establecimiento y distribución de controladores biológicos de la mosca blanca en Puerto Rico

The establishment and distribution of exotic biological control agents for the silverleaf whitefly in Puerto Rico was evaluated. Five hundred thirty parasitoids were recovered from 99 sample sites. Encarsia spp. represented over 90% of the total samples profiled, whereas Eretmocerus spp. represented only 9.5%. Eretmocerus hayati, from Pakistan, represented 56% of the total of that genus, followed by Er. mundus from Spain (38%). An Encarsia sophia species from Pakistan was the most abundant, representing 29.6% of the total number of specimens from that group and 26.8% of the total number of specimens recovered during the study. Five unidentified, and possibly undescribed, species from Puerto Rico were detected during the study. Two of the local species represent about 23% of the total number of specimens collected. Se estudió la distribución y establecimiento de controladores biológicos de la mosca blanca en Puerto Rico. Quinientos treinta parasotoides se recuperaron de 99 lugares de muestreo. El género Encarsia spp. representó sobre el 90% de las muestras estudiadas, mientras que el género Eretmocerus spp. representó solamente el 9.5%. La especie Eretmocerus hayati, de Pakistán, representó el 56% del total para ese género, seguido de Er. mundus, importado de España (38%). En el estudio, la especie Encarsia sophia proveniente de Pakistán fue la más abundante de su género, con un 26.6% de los especímenes para ese grupo y 26.8% del total de especímenes. Cinco especies de Encarsia, probablemente especies nuevas de Puerto Rico, se detectaron durante el estudio. Dos de las especies nuevas representaron aproximadamente el 23% del total de especímenes estudiados

Post-release evaluation of biological control of Bemisia tabaci biotype ‘‘B’’ in the USA and the development of predictive tools to guide introductions for other countries

Climatic matching and pre-release performance evaluation were useful predictors of parasitoid establishment in a retrospective analysis of a classical biological control program against Bemisia tabaci biotype ‘‘B’’ in the USA. Laboratory evaluation of 19 imported and two indigenous parasitoid species in quarantine on B. tabaci showed that the Old World Eretmocerus spp, had the highest attack rate. The climate matching program CLIMEX was used to analyze the establishment patterns of five Old World Eretmocerus spp. introduced to the Western USA. The top matches ±10% for the climate of the area of introduction and origin of the introduced parasitoids always included the species that established. The Old World Eretmocerus spp. came from regions characterized by many separate biotypes of B. tabaci other than ‘‘B,’’ but are considered specialists of the B. tabaci complex as compared to the indigenous North American oligophagous Eretmocerus spp. This narrower host range and high attack rate combined with climatic adaptation may account for their establishment in the USA. A set of predictive tools and guidelines were used to select the best candidate for importation and possible release into Australia that has been recently invaded by the ‘‘B’’ biotype. The establishment patterns of the introduced Eretmocerus spp. and a comparison of climates of their respective locations in the USA were compared with the affected area in Australia. The best climatic match was the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas suggesting its dominant parasitoid, E. hayati ex. Pakistan be considered as the first candidate for evaluation as a biological control agent

Association of Patient Belief About Success of Antibiotics for Appendicitis and Outcomes: A Secondary Analysis of the CODA Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: A patient\u27s belief in the likely success of a treatment may influence outcomes, but this has been understudied in surgical trials. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between patients\u27 baseline beliefs about the likelihood of treatment success with outcomes of antibiotics for appendicitis in the Comparison of Outcomes of Antibiotic Drugs and Appendectomy (CODA) trial. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a secondary analysis of the CODA randomized clinical trial. Participants from 25 US medical centers were enrolled between May 3, 2016, and February 5, 2020. Included in the analysis were participants with appendicitis who were randomly assigned to receive antibiotics in the CODA trial. After informed consent but before randomization, participants who were assigned to receive antibiotics responded to a baseline survey including a question about how successful they believed antibiotics could be in treating their appendicitis. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were categorized based on baseline survey responses into 1 of 3 belief groups: unsuccessful/unsure, intermediate, and completely successful. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Three outcomes were assigned at 30 days: (1) appendectomy, (2) high decisional regret or dissatisfaction with treatment, and (3) persistent signs and symptoms (abdominal pain, tenderness, fever, or chills). Outcomes were compared across groups using adjusted risk differences (aRDs), with propensity score adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical factors. RESULTS: Of the 776 study participants who were assigned antibiotic treatment in CODA, a total of 425 (mean [SD] age, 38.5 [13.6] years; 277 male [65%]) completed the baseline belief survey before knowing their treatment assignment. Baseline beliefs were as follows: 22% of participants (92 of 415) had an unsuccessful/unsure response, 51% (212 of 415) had an intermediate response, and 27% (111 of 415) had a completely successful response. Compared with the unsuccessful/unsure group, those who believed antibiotics could be completely successful had a 13-percentage point lower risk of appendectomy (aRD, -13.49; 95% CI, -24.57 to -2.40). The aRD between those with intermediate vs unsuccessful/unsure beliefs was -5.68 (95% CI, -16.57 to 5.20). Compared with the unsuccessful/unsure group, those with intermediate beliefs had a lower risk of persistent signs and symptoms (aRD, -15.72; 95% CI, -29.71 to -1.72), with directionally similar results for the completely successful group (aRD, -15.14; 95% CI, -30.56 to 0.28). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Positive patient beliefs about the likely success of antibiotics for appendicitis were associated with a lower risk of appendectomy and with resolution of signs and symptoms by 30 days. Pathways relating beliefs to outcomes and the potential modifiability of beliefs to improve outcomes merit further investigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02800785