A new species of Megalommum Szépligeti (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Braconinae); a parasitoid of the pistachio longhorn beetle (Calchaenesthes pistacivora Holzschuh; Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) in Iran
2011
New Species of Megalommum Found in Iran
Sample size: 110
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): C. van Achterberg, M.R. Mehrnejad
Primary Institution: Dept. Terrestrial Zoology, NCB Naturalis, The Netherlands; Pistachio Research Institute, Iran
Hypothesis
A new species of the genus Megalommum is described as a parasitoid of the pistachio longhorn beetle.
Conclusion
The study describes a new species of Megalommum that acts as a parasitoid for the pistachio longhorn beetle in Iran.
Supporting Evidence
- The new species, Megalommum pistacivorae, is the first record of a cerambycid host for the genus.
- The parasitoid was reared from the larvae of the pistachio longhorn beetle.
- The rate of parasitism was estimated to be about 23% in experimental orchards.
Takeaway
Scientists found a new type of wasp that lives in pistachio trees and helps control a beetle that harms the trees.
Methodology
The wasp was reared from the larvae of the pistachio longhorn beetle and collected in wild pistachio areas.
Limitations
The study does not explore alternative hosts for the parasitoid.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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