Distribution area and natural parasitism of Apanteles brunnistigma Abdinbekova (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on the olive leaf moth

Abstract :

Olive leaf moth, Palpita unionalis H�bner (Lepidoptera: Carambidae) is an important pest in olive groves in Mediterranean countries. It feeds on leaves, shoots, and later green fruits of olive trees. The native larva parasitoid Apanteles brunnistigma Abdinbekova (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was found a solitary endoparasitoid on P. unionalis in the eastern Mediterranean and southeastern Anatolia regions. In this study, the distribution and natural parasitism by A. brunnistigma on P. unionalis were determined in seven provinces (Adana, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Osmaniye, and Mersin of Turkey). P. unionalis larvae were collected all provinces over its period of occurrence from May to December. The collected larvae were reared until adult parasitoids or moths emerged in the laboratory. The parasitism rate and the number of A. brunnistigma per P. unionalis larva were estimated for each grove. A total of 2903 P. unionalis larvae were collected for two years. The highest natural parasitism rate (58.3%) was observed in Gaziantep and (30%) in Hatay. The parasitism was observed in “summer” (during the period of June through December), with a mean of 9.2-17.6% in 2014-2015, respectively.These findings highlight the need for improved biological control of P. unionalisthrough introduction, augmentation and releasing of the solitary parasitoid A. brunnistigma


Keyword :

Apanteles brunnistigma,olive, Palpita unionalis, parasitism rate


Author(s) : Kaçar, G.
Downloads : 168
Published Issue : 2020 Vol. 15 Number 1


2020 Vol. 15 Number 1