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Biological traits and the complex of parasitoids of the elm pest Orchestes steppensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Xinjiang, China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2017

Q. Li ,
S.V. Triapitsyn ,
C. Wang ,
W. Zhong  and
H.-Y. Hu
Q. Li
Affiliation:
College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830046, China
S.V. Triapitsyn
Affiliation:
Entomology Research Museum, Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA
C. Wang
Affiliation:
College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830046, China
W. Zhong
Affiliation:
College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830046, China
H.-Y. Hu*
Affiliation:
College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830046, China
*
*Author for correspondence E-mail: hoohyi-69@163.com; 80183119@qq.com
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Abstract

The flee-weevil Orchestes steppensis Korotyaev (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a steppe eastern Palaearctic species, notable as a serious pest of elms (Ulmus spp., Ulmaceae), by feeding on the leaves (adults) or mining them heavily (larvae), especially of Ulmus pumila L. in Xinjiang, China. We have corrected the previous misidentifications of this weevil in China as O. alni (L.) or O. mutabilis Boheman and demonstrated that it is likely to be an invasive species in Xinjiang. Prior to this study, natural enemies of O. steppensis were unknown in Xinjiang. Resulting from field investigation and rearing in the laboratory during 2013–2016, seven parasitoid species were found to be primary and solitary, attacking larval and pupal stages of the host weevil. Pteromalus sp. 2 is the dominant species and also is the most competitive among the seven parasitoids, which could considered to be a perspective biological control agent of O. steppensis. Yet, the current control of this pest by the local natural enemies in Xinjiang is still currently inefficient, even though in 2016 parasitism was about 36% on U. pumila in Urumqi, so the potential for a classical biological control program against it needs to be further investigated, including an assessment of its parasitoids and other natural enemies in the native range of O. steppensis. The presented information on the natural enemies of this weevil can be also important for a potential classical biological control program against it in North America (Canada and USA), where it is a highly damaging and rapidly spreading invasive species.

Keywords

Ulmus pumilaOrchestes steppensisparasitoidsbiological traitsbiological controlChina
Type
Research Papers
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 108 , Issue 1 , February 2018 , pp. 48 - 57
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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