An undescribed microsporidium was found infecting Tachinaephagus zealandicus, a gregarious parasitoid that attacks third instar larvae of muscoid flies. Spores were present in all body regions and in all stages of development. Infected adults contained an average of 3.75 x 10(5) spores, and the pathogen was vertically transmitted to progeny. Infected female adults were fed either rifampicin or ...

Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann (Heteroptera: Coreidae), commonly known as western conifer seed bug (WCSB), is an invasive pest in the Mediterranean, where it has been associated with decline of Pinus pinea L. kernel production. A biological control WCSB populations native egg parasitoids may reduce economic losses. With purpose to obtaining masses laid situ bags WCSB, adults were placed, f...

A new species of the genus Acerophagus Smith (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), A. belenaguirreae sp. n., is described from Vieques Island, Puerto Rico (USA) as a primary parasitoid mealybug Hypogeococcus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on Achyranthesaspera var. aspera (Amaranthaceae) and Portulaca (Portulacaceae). An identification key to females in New World with dark cross bands gastral dorsum provided....

The study was carried out with the purpose of identifying the main parasitoids of Chrysomya megacephala in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, given the importance of these flies as vectors of pathogenic agents in the urban environment. Samplings were conducted every week from August 1999 to July 2000. The substrate used to grow fly pupae and to trap parasitoids was decomposing meat. It was ide...