Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Entomology
Ecological Traits Of A New Aphid Parasitoid, Endaphis Fugitiva (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), And Its Potential For Biological Control Of The Banana Aphid, Pentalonia Nigronervosa (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Frédéric B. Muratori, Raymond J. Gagne, Rusell H. Messing
Ecological Traits Of A New Aphid Parasitoid, Endaphis Fugitiva (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), And Its Potential For Biological Control Of The Banana Aphid, Pentalonia Nigronervosa (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Frédéric B. Muratori, Raymond J. Gagne, Rusell H. Messing
USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory
Most parasitoids of aphids are small wasps belonging to the families Braconidae or Aphelinidae. However, some dipteran parasitoids are also known to use aphids as hosts. We describe and give life-history information on a new species of aphid parasitoid, Endaphis fugitiva Gagné and Muratori, found to parasitize the banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel, the vector of banana bunchy top virus. Field and laboratory observations show that fly eggs are laid on the leaves near an aphid colony, the newly hatched fly larvae search for hosts while crawling on the leaf, and then penetrate the aphid between the legs and thorax. …