Taxonomy of the genus Trichogramma Westwood, 1833 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) on South America

Author(s)

Ranyse Barbosa Querino da Silva

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2002-04-17
• Advisor: Roberto Antonio Zucchi

Abstract

Approximately 180 Trichogramma species are known, however, only 28 species are recorded in South America, and most of these records for this region refer to species associated with agricultural pests. ln addition, the taxonomic studies of Trichogramma in South America are limited to species recorded in some countries. This is the first study in which most species recorded in South America are discussed together. ln this study, nineteen species were characterized and eight are described as new ones. Based on morphological and biological studies (crossings and isofemale progenies), it was possible to determine intraspecific variations of T. bruni Nagaraja, 1983. A multivariate statistic analysis approach was also used to characterize most species, including the new ones. Specimens of T. pretiosum Riley, obtained from 10 lepidopterous species, were analyzed by geometry morphometric. Based on examined specimens studied herein and those reported in literature, an illustrated key to 35 species from South America (only T. castrenses Velasquez de Rios & Teran, 1995 was not included in the key) was elaborated. From a survey of lepidopterous eggs, the following species were collected: Trichogramma species: T. acacioi Brun, Moraes & Soares, 1984, T. bruni Nagaraja, 1983, T. demoraesi Nagaraja, 1983, T. pretiosum Riley, 1879 and Trichogramma sp.n.11. With the use of a suction trap, a total of 551 specimens belonging to T. bruni, Trichogramma sp. aff. pintoi, T. pretiosum and to six new species were collected. Specimens deposited at ESALQ collection were included in a database, and the catalogue of the species recorded in South America was updated. Considering the new species described herein, 36 species of Trichogramma are known in South America. Most species are recorded in Brazil (24 species), following by Venezuela (9 species), Colombia (7 species) and Peru (6 species). There is no record of Trichogramma species from French Guyana and Suriname. Trichogramma pretiosum is the most widely distributed species in South America (AU)