Suitability of Different Host Plants for Nymphs of The Sharpshooter Tapajosa rubromarginata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Proconinii)

The glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), Homalodisca vitripennis(Germar) has become a major pest in California primarily as a vector of Xylella fastidiosa a bacteria that cause severe diseases to grapes. Owing to the uncertainty of the effectiveness of egg parasitoids native to California against GWSS, a neo-classical biological control approach is ongoing. The survey of natural enemies is conducted on leafhoppers closely related to the target pest in South America. In 2000, egg parasitoids of Tapajosa rubromarginata, a sharpshooter closely related to GWSS, were sought in regions in South America where climate types and habitats were similar to California. Nymphs and adults have different nutritional requirements, alternating host plant as a survival mechanism. Apparently, only a few host plants support the development of nymphs to maturity. We tested the viability of nymphs of T. rubromarginata reared on sweet orange, corn, bermuda grass, rescuegrass, bur clover, cowpea, and a combination of mint + oat as an attempt to determine a suitable substrate to rear this sharpshooter. We recorded high mortality of the newly emerged nymphs maintained with rescuegrass, sweet orange, corn, Bermuda grass and bur clover. Nymphs successfully reached the adult stage only eating on cowpea plants and the combination of mint + oat. Based on the observed survival rate and the number of individuals that reached the adult stage, cowpea was the most appropriate substrate for rearing in the laboratory.Fil: Virla, Eduardo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; ArgentinaFil: Cangemi, Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; ArgentinaFil: Logarzo, Guillermo Alejandro. United States Department Of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service. Overseas Biological Control Laboratories. South American Biological Control Laboratory; Argentin

Proconiini sharpshooters of Argentina, with notes on its distribution, host plants, and natural enemies

The American tribe Proconiini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae) is one of the largest groups of xylem-feeding insects and includes the majority of the known vectors of xylem-born phytopathogenic organisms. The significance of the pathogens that this group transmits gives them an important role as pests, mostly for citrus fruit, grapes, and almonds. Knowledge of these Hemiptera in Argentina is insufficient and fragmentary. Thus one of the aims of this paper is to summarize the available information of the Proconiini sharpshooters in Argentina. In addition, 14 species are mentioned for the first time in the country, and new distributional data are given for 18 species. Thirty-four new associations between sharpshooters and host plants are recorded. New records of egg parasitoids are given for Dechacona missionum, Molomea consolida, M. lineiceps, and Tapajosa similis.Fil: Paradell, Susana Liria. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Entomología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Virla, Eduardo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiologicos; ArgentinaFil: Logarzo, Guillermo Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. United States Department of Agriculture; Estados UnidosFil: Dellapé, Gimena. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Entomología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Field host range of Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Argentina, a potential biocontrol agent of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in North America

Field exploration in Argentina for cactophagous lepidopteran hosts parasitized by the recently described braconid parasitoid Apanteles opuntiarum Martínez & Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) revealed a host range restricted to Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and C. doddi. Field collections of cactophagous larvae parasitized by the congeneric and sympatric parasitoid A. alexanderi included the host species C. bucyrus, Sigelgaita nr. chilensis, Tucumania sp., Tucumania tapiacola and Salambona sp. If a narrow host range for A.opuntiarum is confirmed in quarantine with North American cactus-feeding species, then this parasitoid could be released as a biological control agent for C. cactorum with little or no risk to non-target species.Las exploraciones de campo en Argentina de larvas hospedadoras cactófagas parasitadas por Apanteles opuntiarum Martínez & Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), un bracónido recientemente descripto, revelaron un espectro de hospedadores restringido a Cactoblastis cac­torum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) y C. doddi. Las colecciones de campo de larvas cactófagas parasitadas por la especie congenérica y simpátrica A. alexanderi identificaron a C. bucyrus, Sigelgaita nr. chi­lensis, Tucumania sp., Tucumania tapiacola y Salambona sp. como es­pecies hospedadoras. Si se confirma en cuarentena el estrecho rango de hospedadores de A. opuntiarum sobre especies norteamericanas que se alimentan de cactus, podría ser liberado como agente de con­trol biológico de C. cactorum, con bajo riesgo o ninguno a especies no blanco.Fil: Varone, Laura. Fundación para el Estudio de Especies Invasivas; ArgentinaFil: Logarzo, Guillermo Alejandro. Fundación para el Estudio de Especies Invasivas; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Juan Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ; ArgentinaFil: Navarro, Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto Superior de Entomología; ArgentinaFil: Carpenter, James E.. United States Department of Agriculture; Estados UnidosFil: Hight, Stephen D.. United States Department of Agriculture; Estados Unido

Structure and composition of a thrips community in the Chihuahua Desert, New Mexico, U.S.

We examined plant used versus plant availability by a thysanopteran community on 13 woody and perennial native plants in the Chihuahua Desert. Individual plants were sampled with sticky-traps on 8 dates from May 1997 to August 1998. We sampled 5,040 adult thrips from 26 species in 19 genera, of which 16 could be identified to species. Four families were represented, Thripidae (17 species comprised 98.2 % of the collected specimens), Phlaeothripidae (5 species comprised 1.6%), Aeolothripidae (2 species comprised 0.1%) and Heterothripidae (1 species comprised 0.1%). A total of 16 species (84.2%) were phytophagous on flowers and leaves, 2 (10.5%) were predators, one (5.2%) was mycophagous. Feeding habits for 7 species are unknown. Thrips abundance was positively correlated with plant volume, but not with insect richness. Strikingly for a natural area, Frankliniella occidentalis accounted for 73.6% of the total collection of the sampled thrips, which together with Chirothrips falsus, Microcephalothrips abdominalis, Frankliniella gossypiana, and Neohydatothrips signifier, comprised 94.0% of the total number of collected thrips. Main abundances, considering all thrips species, occurred in fall and spring; no thrips were collected during winter. This seasonal pattern of occurrence was observed for the most abundant thrips species. In summary, the results of this study were: 1) few thrips species were found to be specialists; only 2 thrips species out of 12 studied, showed strong preference for host plants, 2) presence of a high percentage of positive associations, and a low percentage of negative associations, 3) the role of plant volume explained more than 80% of variance of thrips abundance. These results suggest that the studied thrips community has low plant specificity and the pattern of plant use observed could be the consequence of generalist feeding diets.Examinamos el uso de plantas versus la disponibilidad de plantas de una comunidad de Thysanoptera sobre 13 plantas nativas (leñosas y perennes) en el desierto de Chihuahua. Se muestrearon plantas individuales con trampas pegajosas en 8 fechas desde de mayo de 1997 hasta agosto de 1998. Se obtuvieron 5.040 trips adultos pertenecientes a 26 especies en 19 géneros, de los cuales 16 se pudo identificar hasta especie. Cuatro familias están representadas, Thripidae (17 especies que representaron el 98,2% de los especímenes recolectados), Phlaeothripidae (5 especies que constituyeron 1,6%), Aeolothripidae (2 especies que constituyeron el 0,1%) y Heterothripidae (1 especie que correspondió al 0,1%). Un total de 16 especies (84,2%) fueron fitófagos (en flores y hojas), 2 (10,5%) fueron depredadores, uno (5,2%) fue micófago. De 7 especies se desconocen sus hábitos alimentarios. La abundancia de trips se correlacionó positivamente con el volumen de las plantas, no así con la riqueza. Sorprendentemente para un área natural, Frankliniella occidentalis representó el 73,6% de la recolección total de los trips, que junto con Chirothrips falsus, Microcephalothrips abdominalis, Frankliniella gossypiana, y Neohydatothrips signifer, representaron 94,0% del total recogido. La mayor abundancia de trips se produjo en otoño y primavera, y no se recolectaron trips en el invierno. Este patrón estacional de ocurrencia se observó para las especies de trips más abundante. En resumen, los resultados de este estudio fueron: 1) presencia de pocas especies de trips fueron especialistas, sólo dos especies de trips de los 12, mostraron una clara preferencia por sus plantas hospedantes, 2) presencia de un alto porcentaje de asociaciones positivas, y un bajo porcentaje de asociaciones negativas, 3) el rol del volumen de plantas que explica más del 80% de la varianza de la abundancia de trips. Estos resultados sugieren que la comunidad trips estudiado tiene una baja especificidad y el patrón de utilización de las plantas es consecuencia de una dieta alimentaria generalista.EEA BarilocheFil: Logarzo, Guillermo Alejandro. USDA-ARS South American Biological Control Laboratory; ArgentinaFil: Zamar, María Inés. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Instituto de Biología de la Altura; ArgentinaFil: Richman, David. New Mexico State University. Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Science; Estados UnidosFil: Bruzzone, Octavio Augusto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Taxonomic notes on primary and secondary parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae and Signiphoridae) of Hypogeococcus spp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Argentina

Se presenta una revisión de los himenópteros parasitoides y sus hiperparasitoides, asociados a Hypogeococcus spp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), cochinillas que se alimentan de Alternanthera spp., otra Amaranthaceae y diversas cactáceas nativas (Cactaceae). Estas especies de himenópteros parasíticas fueron recogidas y criadas en el curso de un estudio realizado en Argentina durante 2010-2014. De particular interés son los encírtidos (Encyrtidae) parasitoides primarios de H. pungens Granara de Willink que son potenciales candidatos de control biológico de Hypogeococcus sp. (comúnmente llamado «Harrisia cactus mealybug» e identificado como H. pungens pero que posiblemente no pertenezca a esta especie) que amenaza cactus nativos de algunas islas del Caribe y Florida, Estados Unidos, y está devastando a los cactus columnares nativos de Puerto Rico. Leptomastidea sp. (Encyrtidae) es registrado por primera vez para Argentina como un parasitoide primario de Hypogeococcus spp., incluso de H. pungens. Los dos hiperparasitoides colectados en Argentina son Chartocerus ?axillaris De Santis (Signiphoridae) y Prochiloneurus sp. (Encyrtidae); este último pertenece a una especie no descripta. Además se proveen notas taxonómicas de Gyranusoidea pseudococci (Brèthes) (Encyrtidae) [= Leptomastidea pseudococci Brèthes, para el cual se designó un lectotipo]; también es un parasitoide primario de pseudocóccidos pero no de Hypogeococcus spp.A review is presented of the hymenopterous parasitoids, and their hyperparasitoids, associated with Hypogeococcus spp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), mealybugs that feed on Alternanthera spp., other Amaranthaceae, and various native cacti (Cactaceae). These parasitic Hymenoptera species were collected and reared in the course of a survey conducted in Argentina during 2010-2014. Of particular interest are the encyrtid (Encyrtidae) primary parasitoids of H. pungens Granara de Willink which are potential candidate biological control agents against a Hypogeococcus sp. (commonly called the Harrisia cactus mealybug and identified as H. pungens but possibly not belonging to that species) which threatens the native cacti in some Caribbean islands and Florida, USA, and is devastating the native columnar cacti in Puerto Rico. A Leptomastidea sp. (Encyrtidae) is for the first time recorded from Argentina as a primary parasitoid of Hypogeococcus spp. including H. pungens. The two hyperparasitoids collected in Argentina are Chartocerus ?axillaris De Santis (Signiphoridae) and Prochiloneurus sp. (Encyrtidae); the latter belongs to an undescribed species. Taxonomic notes are also provided on Gyranusoidea pseudococci (Brèthes) (Encyrtidae) [= Leptomastidea pseudococci Brèthes, for which a lectotype is designated]; it is also a primary mealybug parasitoid but not of Hypogeococcus spp.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: Dal Molin, Ana. Texas A&M University; Estados Unido

Geographical Range and Laboratory Studies on Apanteles opuntiarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Argentina, a Candidate for Biological Control of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in North America

La polilla de la tuna, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), es una plaga que amenaza las Opuntia spp. nativas de América del Norte. Se han implementado varias estrategias para su control, erradicándola de México pero no de los Estados Unidos, donde ha continuado incrementando su distribución geográfica con éxito. Por lo tanto, se propone un enfoque integrado que incluya al control biológico para regular las poblaciones de C. cactorum en América del Norte. Se realizaron relevamientos de campo del parasitoide recientemente descrito, Apanteles opuntiarum Martínez & Berta, dentro del área de distribución nativa de C. cactorum en Argentina, y se realizaron estudios de laboratorio para desarrollar un protocolo de cría del parasitoide. Apanteles opuntiarum fue el parasitoide más común de C. cactorum y sus distribuciones en el campo coincidieron ampliamente. En el laboratorio, el éxito reproductivo del parasitoide se maximizó cuando una o dos avispas estuvieron expuestas a 30 larvas dentro de un recipiente de 500 ml. Hembras criadas en laboratorio fueron menos exitosas parasitando hospedadores que hembras provenientes del campo. A pesar del éxito logrado en la cría de los parasitoides, obtuvimos una proporción de sexos sesgada hacia machos en los experimentos. Como este sesgo podría estar relacionado a la presencia del parásito reproductivo Wolbachia, tanto la colonia de laboratorio como individuos provenientes del campo fueron analizados y poseían Wolbachia. El presente estudio proporcionó información útil de campo y laboratorio para (1) estandarizar una técnica de cría en laboratorio; (2) realizar estudios de especificidad de hospedadores en condiciones de cuarentena; y (3) seleccionar las poblaciones de parasitoides que mejor coinciden con el clima de las áreas invadidas por C. cactorum en América del Norte.The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a pest that threatens native Opuntia spp. in North America. Control tactics developed and implemented against this invasive pest successfully eradicated the moth in Mexico and on barrier islands in the United States. However, with the cancellation of the regional management program in the United States, no control tactics are being implemented to mitigate the expansion of the moth's geographical range. Hence, an integrated approach including biological control is proposed to regulate the population of C. cactorum in North America. Field surveys of the recently described parasitoid, Apanteles opuntiarum Martínez & Berta, were carried out within the C. cactorum native range in Argentina, and laboratory studies were conducted to develop a parasitoid rearing protocol. Apanteles opuntiarum was the most common parasitoid of C. cactorum and their field distributions were similar. In the laboratory, the parasitoid's reproductive success was maximized when one or two female wasps were exposed to 30 host larvae within a 500 ml container. Laboratory reared females were less successful at parasitizing hosts than field collected females. In spite of the success achieved with laboratory rearing, male bias was observed throughout the experiments. Because this bias might be related to the presence of the reproductive parasite Wolbachia, both laboratory colony and field collected individuals were screened and Wolbachia was detected. This study provides useful field and laboratory information on (1) laboratory rearing techniques for A. opuntiarum; (2) developing host specificity test protocols for studies under quarantine conditions; and (3) selecting parasitoid populations that best match the climatic conditions present in the C. cactorum invaded areas of North America.Fil: Mengoni Goñalons, Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Varone, Laura. 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: Guala, Mariel. Fundación para el Estudio de Especies Invasivas; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguero, Marcela Silvina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Hight, Stephen D.. United States Department Of Agriculture. Agriculture Research Service; Estados UnidosFil: Carpenter, James E.. United States Department Of Agriculture. Agriculture Research Service; Estados Unido

A new Gonatocerus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) from Argentina, with taxonomic notes and molecular data on the G. tuberculifemur species complex

Gonatocerus deleoni Triapitsyn, Logarzo & Virla sp. n., reared from sentinel eggs of Tapajosa rubromarginata (Signoret) (Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae: Proconiini) on citrus plants, a new member of the ater species group of Gonatocerus Nees (Mymaridae), is described from the state of Mendoza, Argentina. Taxonomic notes and host association data are provided to help differentiate this new species from the morphologically similar but genetically distinct taxon, G. tuberculifemur (Ogloblin). The female of the latter is redescribed and the male is newly described. Gonatocerus deleoni, G. tuberculifemur, and three forms (different molecular clades) comprise the G. tuberculifemur complex. These forms are identified but not formally described because of lack of morphologically distinguishing features. The taxonomic conclusions are supported by molecular data, and by results of reciprocal cross-breeding experiments between most of them.Fil: Triapitsyn, Serguei V.. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Logarzo, Guillermo Alejandro. United States Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service; ArgentinaFil: de León, Jeese H.. United States Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service; ArgentinaFil: Virla, Eduardo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentin

A new species of Gonatocerus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) from Argentina, an egg parasitoid of Tapajosa rubromarginata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Specimens of Gonatocerus virlai S. Triapitsyn, Logarzo & de León sp. n., which belongs to the ater species group of Gonatocerus Nees (Mymaridae), were reared in Argentina mostly from wild-collected and sentinel eggs of the sharpshooter Tapajosa rubromarginata (Signoret) (Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae: Proconiini) on citrus and corn plants. The distribution and host associations (both natural and laboratory) of G. virlai are given. Under quarantine laboratory conditions in the USA, it was successfully reared for many generations on an unnatural host, the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar).Fil: Triapitzyn, Serguei. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Logarzo, Guillermo Alejandro. United States Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service. Overseas Biological Control Laboratories. South American Biological Control Laboratory; ArgentinaFil: Virla, Eduardo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; ArgentinaFil: de León, Jesse H.. United States Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service; Argentin

First Report of a Proconiine Sharpshooter, Anacuerna centrolinea (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), in Chile, with Notes on Its Biology, Host Plants, and Egg Parasitoids

The first representative of the leafhopper tribe Proconiini (subfamily Cicadellinae), Anacuerna centrolinea (Melichar) is reported herein from the Tarapacá region in northern Chile. This species was discovered at high elevation (≈4,000 m) in the course of a survey conducted in South America by the USDA–ARS for the neoclassical biological control program against the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata (Say) in California. New data are given on the biology and host plants of A. centrolinea. Information also is provided on its egg parasitoid, Gonatocerus tuberculifemur (Ogloblin) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) which also was a first record from Chile. This discovery encourages further exploration for leafhopper egg parasitoids in northern and central regions of Chile to identify new perspective biological control agents that are more adapted to Mediterranean climate (winters and wet summers), which are similar to California climate. In addition, it is possible that G. tuberculifemur may be a good candidate for the biological control of the recently discovered H. coagulata in Easter Island, Chile.Fil: Logarzo, Guillermo Alejandro. United States Department of Agriculture; Estados UnidosFil: de León, Jesse H.. United States Department of Agriculture; Estados UnidosFil: Serguei Triapitsyn,. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: González, Roberto H.. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Virla, Eduardo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentin

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