First record of the impact of the parasitism of Cecidochares connexa (Diptera: Tephritidae) by a solitary larval ectoparasitoid in West Africa: Cause for concern?
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal Osa; Idemudia, Itohan; Witt, Arne B. R.; Day, Michael D.
- Source
- Journal of Plant Diseases & Protection. Feb2019, Vol. 126 Issue 1, p93-95. 3p.
- Subject
- *TEPHRITIDAE
*PARASITOIDS
*PLANT parasites
- Language
- ISSN
- 1861-3829
Cecidochares connexa is currently the only effective biological control agent of Chromolaena odorata an invasive weed in West Africa. Recently, an ectoparasitoid species belonging to the Ormyrus genus was found parasitizing C. connexa in three regions of Ghana. Adult parasitoid emergence percentages varied between 16 and 21%. This raises concerns about its impact on C. connexa populations and the overall biocontrol of C. odorata. New field surveys to determine the distribution range of Ormyrus sp. and its impact on C. connexa should be quickly addressed in West Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]