Platygastridae (Hymenoptera: Platygastroidea) in blueberry fields and potential IPM applications

Monday, November 14, 2022

8:48 AM – 9:00 AM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 122

Presenting Author(s)

MR

Monique Raymond

University of New Hampshire
Newmarket, New Hampshire

Co-Author(s)

ET

Elijah Talamas

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Gainesville, Florida
IM

Istv�n Mik�

Collections Manager
University of New Hampshire
Durham, New Hampshire

The blueberry gall midge complex (BGMC), composed of Dasineura oxycoccana and Prodiplosis vaccinii (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), has the potential to serve as a major global pest of cultivated highbush and lowbush Vaccinium (Ericales: Ericaceae) species. Several undetermined platygastrid parasitoid wasps have been observed to effectively control BGMC in the southeastern US, which this research expands upon, and adds New England study sites. Our results will facilitate the accurate identification of biological control agents of BGMC, an essential component of effective integrated pest management. The molecular and morphological diagnoses will provide new information about the parasitoid assemblages of BGMC and support ongoing taxonomic exploration of Platygastridae.