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<p><i>Aphytis</i> sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is the main parasitoid of San Jose scale, <i>Comstockaspis perniciosa</i> (Comstock) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), in deciduous fruit orchards of southern Uruguay. A previous study aimed at optimizing mass rearing for inundative releases revealed low emergence on the alternative host, oleander scale, <i>Aspidiotus nerii</i> Bouché (Hemiptera: Diaspididae). Preliminary observations also suggested that parasitism allows host reproduction, in contrast to reports of congeners described as idiobiont ectoparasitoids. This study investigated whether low performance on oleander scale and the apparent allowance of host development result from host-related factors or intrinsic parasitoid traits by assessing immature&#xa0;stage mortality, comparing oviposition and adult emergence between hosts, and evaluating the effects of parasitism on host reproduction and moulting. Parasitoid mortality on oleander scale occurred mainly at early developmental stages (eggs and/or early larvae). Emergence was higher on San Jose scale than on oleander scale (51% <i>vs</i>. 11%), although it was still moderate. Parasitized adults of both host species retained the ability to reproduce, whereas parasitized San Jose scale nymphs did not moult to adults. These findings indicate that <i>Aphytis</i> sp. nov. behaves as a koinobiont ectoparasitoid, allowing host reproduction but preventing moulting—possibly the first report of this strategy within the genus and family. Host-related constraints appear to limit development on oleander scale, whereas additional intrinsic limitations may affect performance on the natural host. Furthermore, the implications for biological control programs are discussed.</p>

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Idiobiont or koinobiont? Re-evaluating the parasitism mode of Aphytis sp. nov., a biological control agent of San Jose scale

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月28日

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  • Paula Altesor,
  • Álvaro García,
  • Marianela Larramendy,
  • Irene Pandulli

摘要

Aphytis sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is the main parasitoid of San Jose scale, Comstockaspis perniciosa (Comstock) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), in deciduous fruit orchards of southern Uruguay. A previous study aimed at optimizing mass rearing for inundative releases revealed low emergence on the alternative host, oleander scale, Aspidiotus nerii Bouché (Hemiptera: Diaspididae). Preliminary observations also suggested that parasitism allows host reproduction, in contrast to reports of congeners described as idiobiont ectoparasitoids. This study investigated whether low performance on oleander scale and the apparent allowance of host development result from host-related factors or intrinsic parasitoid traits by assessing immature stage mortality, comparing oviposition and adult emergence between hosts, and evaluating the effects of parasitism on host reproduction and moulting. Parasitoid mortality on oleander scale occurred mainly at early developmental stages (eggs and/or early larvae). Emergence was higher on San Jose scale than on oleander scale (51% vs. 11%), although it was still moderate. Parasitized adults of both host species retained the ability to reproduce, whereas parasitized San Jose scale nymphs did not moult to adults. These findings indicate that Aphytis sp. nov. behaves as a koinobiont ectoparasitoid, allowing host reproduction but preventing moulting—possibly the first report of this strategy within the genus and family. Host-related constraints appear to limit development on oleander scale, whereas additional intrinsic limitations may affect performance on the natural host. Furthermore, the implications for biological control programs are discussed.