Cirrospilus neotropicus sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae): an indigenous biocontrol agent of the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)

Abstract

A complex of native parasitoids has been to attack the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, since its introduction into Argentina. Cirrospilus neotropicus sp. n. is the mostabundant indigenous parasitoid, with low but significant parasitism level. Cirrospilus neotropicus n. sp. and the introduced exotic species, Ageniaspis citricola Logvinovskaya, are the main providers of biological control in the citrus orchards of northwestern Argentina. The new species, C. neotropicus, is described and the main morphological characters of both sexes are illustrated. Diagnostic characters are given which distinguish C. neotropicus from the Asiatic C. ingenuus Gahan, which has been mentioned in recent literature as similar to C. neotropicus, and from C. floridensis Evans, an eulophid recently described from Florida, USA.