Molecular and morphological identification of the alfalfa weevil larval parasitoids Bathyplectes anura and Bathyplectes curculionis to estimate the rate of parasitism

Abstract The alfalfa weevil ( Hypera postica Gyllenhal, Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a major pest of crops. Chemical control measures are inefficient, but the larvae often infested by parasitoid wasps genus Bathyplectes Förster (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), which offer potential biological strategy. development effective requires identification species, conventional methods involve rearing parasitoids to puparium stage for morphological confirmation. Here we designed PCR method in two pairs primers used detect and identify curculionis Thomson anura faster way. We compared new as means determine parasitism rates caused each species Spain during 2019 2020 seasons. In 2019, detected five times many B. events twice events. Similarly, 2020, seven High mortality H. was recorded due an epizootic attack fungus Zoophthora phytonomi Arthur (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales), explaining lower overall rate widespread death larvae. Statistical analysis confirmed that more sensitive than detection target parasitoids. However, only can confirm or presence unexpected species. therefore recommend use both parallel when evaluating host–parasitoid systems.