Parasitoids of the citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in the piedemonte of the Department of Meta

Abstract

Studies about presence and abundance of native parasitoids of citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidop­tera: Gracillariidae), was done during March 1997 to August 1998 in Acacias, Restrepo, Lejanias and Villavicencio, four citrus productive zones of eastern plains piedmont, located in the Depart­ment of Meta, Colombia. It was deter­minate the presence of fine different species parasitoids of larvae and pupae of citrus leafminer. Results show that most frequent parasitoids are Cirrospilus spp., Closterocerus sp., and Galeopsomyia fausta. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), Each of them was found in all citrus areas studied in the Meta Department, especially in the localities of Acacias, Restrepo, and Lejanias. There are three new country records among the reported species: Closterocerus sp., Horismenus sp., and Cirrospilus spp. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). In addition to this fact, Galeopsomyia fausta is a pupae parasitoid and Closterocerus sp. a larval super­parasitoid. The presence of these beneficial insects represents a high possibility of na­tural pest regulation and a great biological control potential to citrus leafminer in the region. Parasitoids were identified by Dr.  Jhon LaSalle from the International Institute of Entomology IIE — London, and confir­med by Dr. Mike Schauff from Smith­sonian Institute — USA.