Natural enemies emerged from Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis & Sciffermüller) (Lepidoptera Notodontidae) pupae in Southern Italy.

Authors

  • Eustachio Tarasco Department of Soil, Plant and Food Science. University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, via Amendola 165/a, 70126 Bari
  • Oreste Triggiani Department of Soil, Plant and Food Science. University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, via Amendola 165/a, 70126 Bari
  • Mohamed Zamoum Institut Nacional de Recherche Forestière, B.P. 37 Chéraga 16 000 Alger
  • Monica Oreste Department of Soil, Plant and Food Science. University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, via Amendola 165/a, 70126 Bari

Keywords:

entomopathogenic fungi, virulence, myco-insecticide, microbial pest control

Abstract

Observation made over a 4-year period in pinewoods of Apulia Region (South Italy) on Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis Sciffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) prepupae and pupae, indicated the following natural enemies complex: Hexamermis sp. (Nematoda: Mermithidae), Phryxe caudata (Diptera: Tachinidae), Villa brunnea and Hemipenthes velutina (Diptera: Bombyliidae), Conomorium pityocampae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), Coelichneumon rudis and Cryptus sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Beauveria bassiana and Isaria farinosa (formerly Paecylomices farinosus) (Ascomycota: Hypocreales). The moths and the parasitoid species emerged sequentially and, although these natural enemies show irregular distribution, they together controlled up to 60% of T. pityocampa pupae. Ecological implications of such parasitism are being discussed.

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Published

2016-02-26

Issue

Vol. 98 (2015)

Section

Articles

License

Dichiarazione di copyright