Plant bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae) associated with roadside habitats in Argentina and Paraguay: Host plant, temporal, and geographic range effects

Between November 1999 and September 2001, mirid nymphs (Hemiptera: Miridae) were collected on wild and cultivated plants in central and northern Argentina and southeastern Paraguay. In the laboratory, nymphs were reared until adult emergence. Four (Bryocorinae, Deraeocorinae, Mirinae, and Orthotylinae) of the eight mirid subfamilies were collected during the study. Twenty-two mirid species on 43 putative host plant species were collected in Argentina, and five species of mirids on eight plant species were collected in Paraguay. Eighty-five new mirid-plant associations were recorded (only 112 mirid-plant associations had been reported previously for Argentina). Most of the mirids were in the subfamily Mirinae, tribe Mirini, and most of the host plants belonged to Asteraceae. Almost all mirids were collected on plants with flower buds present. In addition to host plant records, the phenology and pattern of plant use for the most abundant mirids are reported. Mirid richness and abundance varied according to the host plant species; the highest diversity and richness of mirids occurred in the western region of Argentina (Salta, Jujuy, and Tucumán provinces). The most frequently collected mirid, Taylorilygus apicalis (Fieber) (≈87% of the 35,970 collected mirids), was usually collected on Asteraceae. This exotic species could have affected the native mirid fauna in the study area. More research on the possible interactions between T. apicalis and the native mirids of Argentina and Paraguay is needed. Our results suggest that T. apicalis exhibits regional polyphagy, i.e., uses numerous hosts throughout its geographic range.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Plant bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae) associated with roadside habitats in Argentina and Paraguay: Host plant, temporal, and geographic range effects

Between November 1999 and September 2001, mirid nymphs (Hemiptera: Miridae) were collected on wild and cultivated plants in central and northern Argentina and southeastern Paraguay. In the laboratory, nymphs were reared until adult emergence. Four (Bryocorinae, Deraeocorinae, Mirinae, and Orthotylinae) of the eight mirid subfamilies were collected during the study. Twenty-two mirid species on 43 putative host plant species were collected in Argentina, and five species of mirids on eight plant species were collected in Paraguay. Eighty-five new mirid-plant associations were recorded (only 112 mirid-plant associations had been reported previously for Argentina). Most of the mirids were in the subfamily Mirinae, tribe Mirini, and most of the host plants belonged to Asteraceae. Almost all mirids were collected on plants with flower buds present. In addition to host plant records, the phenology and pattern of plant use for the most abundant mirids are reported. Mirid richness and abundance varied according to the host plant species; the highest diversity and richness of mirids occurred in the western region of Argentina (Salta, Jujuy, and Tucumán provinces). The most frequently collected mirid, Taylorilygus apicalis (Fieber) (≈87% of the 35,970 collected mirids), was usually collected on Asteraceae. This exotic species could have affected the native mirid fauna in the study area. More research on the possible interactions between T. apicalis and the native mirids of Argentina and Paraguay is needed. Our results suggest that T. apicalis exhibits regional polyphagy, i.e., uses numerous hosts throughout its geographic range.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

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.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

New records on the geographical distribution of South American sharpshooters (Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae: Proconiini) and their potential as vectors of <i>Xylella fastidiosa</i>

Xylella fastidiosa is endemic to the Americas, it causes economically important diseases in a variety of different crops, and is transmitted by xylem-feeding sharpshooters. This paper provides new geographic records for Proconiini sharpshooters in South America which helps to better understand their distribution. To develop these new records, we examined material from 3 of the main entomological collections held in Argentina. As a result, 5 species are cited for the first time from Paraguay; 4 for Perú; 3 for Bolivia; 2 for Ecuador; and 1 each for Uruguay and Brazil. Some of the species could be vectors of X. fastidiosa because congeners of the species studied here are known to transmit this bacterium.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

New records on the geographical distribution of South American sharpshooters (Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae: Proconiini) and their potential as vectors of <i>Xylella fastidiosa</i>

Xylella fastidiosa is endemic to the Americas, it causes economically important diseases in a variety of different crops, and is transmitted by xylem-feeding sharpshooters. This paper provides new geographic records for Proconiini sharpshooters in South America which helps to better understand their distribution. To develop these new records, we examined material from 3 of the main entomological collections held in Argentina. As a result, 5 species are cited for the first time from Paraguay; 4 for Perú; 3 for Bolivia; 2 for Ecuador; and 1 each for Uruguay and Brazil. Some of the species could be vectors of X. fastidiosa because congeners of the species studied here are known to transmit this bacterium.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Bionomics of Oncometopia tucumana (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a sharpshooter from Argentina, with notes on its distribution, host plants, and egg parasitoids

Bionomics of the proconiine sharpshooter Oncometopia tucumana Schröder (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from northern Argentina is reported. Leafhoppers were monitored during the entire season in a citrus orchard in Horco Molle, Tucumán Province, and also sampled in Jujuy and Salta Provinces. The sharpshooters were found from spring to late fall; they overwinter as adults and females do not lay eggs from Apr to Oct. Oncometopia tucumana is polyphagous, 12 plants in 11 families were recorded as its hosts for the first time. Egg masses of O. tucumana were attacked by 3 parasitoid species, Gonatocerus annulicornis (Ogloblin), G. metanotalis (Ogloblin), and G. tuberculifemur (Ogloblin) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), that collectively produced egg mortality close to 60%. Gonatocerus annulicornis was the main egg parasitoid, emerging from nearly 80% of the parasitized eggs.En este trabajo se informan aspectos biológicos del proconino Oncometopia tucumana Schróder (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) en el norte de Argentina. Las chicharritas fueron monitoreadas durante todo un año en un cultivo de citrus en Horco Molle, provincia de Tucumán, así como en las provincias de Jujuy y Salta. Estas chicharritas fueron encontradas desde la primavera hasta finales del otoño, pasando el invierno como adultos y sus hembras no depositan huevos durante dicho período, entre abril y octubre. Oncometopia tucumana es polífaga y habiendo sido registrada en 12 plantas hospedadoras, pertenecientes a 11 familias. Las posturas de O. tucumana son atacadas por tres especies de parasitoides, Gonatocerus annulicornis (Ogloblin), G. metanotalis (Ogloblin) y G. tuberculifemur (Ogloblin) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), quienes en conjunto producen una mortalidad de huevos cercana al 60%. Gonatocerus annulicornis fue el principal parasitoide oófago, emergiendo de aproximadamente un 80% de los huevos parasitizados.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Bionomics of Oncometopia tucumana (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a sharpshooter from Argentina, with notes on its distribution, host plants, and egg parasitoids

Bionomics of the proconiine sharpshooter Oncometopia tucumana Schröder (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from northern Argentina is reported. Leafhoppers were monitored during the entire season in a citrus orchard in Horco Molle, Tucumán Province, and also sampled in Jujuy and Salta Provinces. The sharpshooters were found from spring to late fall; they overwinter as adults and females do not lay eggs from Apr to Oct. Oncometopia tucumana is polyphagous, 12 plants in 11 families were recorded as its hosts for the first time. Egg masses of O. tucumana were attacked by 3 parasitoid species, Gonatocerus annulicornis (Ogloblin), G. metanotalis (Ogloblin), and G. tuberculifemur (Ogloblin) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), that collectively produced egg mortality close to 60%. Gonatocerus annulicornis was the main egg parasitoid, emerging from nearly 80% of the parasitized eggs.En este trabajo se informan aspectos biológicos del proconino Oncometopia tucumana Schróder (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) en el norte de Argentina. Las chicharritas fueron monitoreadas durante todo un año en un cultivo de citrus en Horco Molle, provincia de Tucumán, así como en las provincias de Jujuy y Salta. Estas chicharritas fueron encontradas desde la primavera hasta finales del otoño, pasando el invierno como adultos y sus hembras no depositan huevos durante dicho período, entre abril y octubre. Oncometopia tucumana es polífaga y habiendo sido registrada en 12 plantas hospedadoras, pertenecientes a 11 familias. Las posturas de O. tucumana son atacadas por tres especies de parasitoides, Gonatocerus annulicornis (Ogloblin), G. metanotalis (Ogloblin) y G. tuberculifemur (Ogloblin) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), quienes en conjunto producen una mortalidad de huevos cercana al 60%. Gonatocerus annulicornis fue el principal parasitoide oófago, emergiendo de aproximadamente un 80% de los huevos parasitizados.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Plant bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae) associated with roadside habitats in Argentina and Paraguay: Host plant, temporal, and geographic range effects

Between November 1999 and September 2001, mirid nymphs (Hemiptera: Miridae) were collected on wild and cultivated plants in central and northern Argentina and southeastern Paraguay. In the laboratory, nymphs were reared until adult emergence. Four (Bryocorinae, Deraeocorinae, Mirinae, and Orthotylinae) of the eight mirid subfamilies were collected during the study. Twenty-two mirid species on 43 putative host plant species were collected in Argentina, and five species of mirids on eight plant species were collected in Paraguay. Eighty-five new mirid-plant associations were recorded (only 112 mirid-plant associations had been reported previously for Argentina). Most of the mirids were in the subfamily Mirinae, tribe Mirini, and most of the host plants belonged to Asteraceae. Almost all mirids were collected on plants with flower buds present. In addition to host plant records, the phenology and pattern of plant use for the most abundant mirids are reported. Mirid richness and abundance varied according to the host plant species; the highest diversity and richness of mirids occurred in the western region of Argentina (Salta, Jujuy, and Tucumán provinces). The most frequently collected mirid, Taylorilygus apicalis (Fieber) (≈87% of the 35,970 collected mirids), was usually collected on Asteraceae. This exotic species could have affected the native mirid fauna in the study area. More research on the possible interactions between T. apicalis and the native mirids of Argentina and Paraguay is needed. Our results suggest that T. apicalis exhibits regional polyphagy, i.e., uses numerous hosts throughout its geographic range.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

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

New records on the geographical distribution of South American sharpshooters (Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae: Proconiini) and their potential as vectors of <i>Xylella fastidiosa</i>

Xylella fastidiosa is endemic to the Americas, it causes economically important diseases in a variety of different crops, and is transmitted by xylem-feeding sharpshooters. This paper provides new geographic records for Proconiini sharpshooters in South America which helps to better understand their distribution. To develop these new records, we examined material from 3 of the main entomological collections held in Argentina. As a result, 5 species are cited for the first time from Paraguay; 4 for Perú; 3 for Bolivia; 2 for Ecuador; and 1 each for Uruguay and Brazil. Some of the species could be vectors of X. fastidiosa because congeners of the species studied here are known to transmit this bacterium.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse