Biosystematics of the Psyttalia concolor species complex (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Opiinae): The identity of populations attacking Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) in coffee in Kenya

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Biological Control

Name of Author

S. W. Kimani-Njogu, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
M. K. Trostle, Texas A&M University
R. A. Wharton, Texas A&M University
J. B. Woolley, Texas A&M University
A. Raspi, Università di Pisa

Publication Date

1-1-2001

Abstract

The identity of a species of Psyttalia, a parasitoid of tephritid fruit flies in Kenya, was investigated. Individuals reared from coffee infested with Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Medfly) and two other tephritid species in Kenya were compared with individuals of Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) from a laboratory culture in Italy used in augmentative biological control of olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin). Reciprocal crosses showed full compatibility, with production of viable female offspring. A preliminary morphometric analysis demonstrated that most individuals originating from Italy could be separated from most of those from Kenya based largely on differences in overall size.

Keywords

Biological control, Ceratitis capitata, Medfly, Olive fly, Opiinae, Psyttalia concolor

Recommended Citation

Kimani-Njogu, S., Trostle, M., Wharton, R., Woolley, J., & Raspi, A. (2001). Biosystematics of the Psyttalia concolor species complex (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Opiinae): The identity of populations attacking Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) in coffee in Kenya. Biological Control, 20 (2), 167-174. https://doi.org/10.1006/bcon.2000.0889