Population Dynamics of Native Parasitoids Associated with the Asian Chestnut Gall Wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus) in Italy

Native parasitoids may play an important role in biological control. They may either support or hinder the effectiveness of introduced nonnative parasitoids released for pest control purposes. Results of a three-year survey (2011–2013) of the Asian chestnut gall wasp (ACGW) Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yas...

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Main Authors: Tiziana Panzavolta, Francesco Croci, Matteo Bracalini, George Melika, Stefano Benedettelli, Guido Tellini Florenzano, Riziero Tiberi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2018-01-01
Series:Psyche: A Journal of Entomology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/8078049
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author Tiziana Panzavolta
Francesco Croci
Matteo Bracalini
George Melika
Stefano Benedettelli
Guido Tellini Florenzano
Riziero Tiberi
author_facet Tiziana Panzavolta
Francesco Croci
Matteo Bracalini
George Melika
Stefano Benedettelli
Guido Tellini Florenzano
Riziero Tiberi
author_sort Tiziana Panzavolta
collection DOAJ
description Native parasitoids may play an important role in biological control. They may either support or hinder the effectiveness of introduced nonnative parasitoids released for pest control purposes. Results of a three-year survey (2011–2013) of the Asian chestnut gall wasp (ACGW) Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) populations and on parasitism rates by native indigenous parasitoids (a complex of chalcidoid hymenopterans) in Italian chestnut forests are given. Changes in D. kuriphilus gall size and phenology were observed through the three years of study. A total of 13 species of native parasitoids were recorded, accounting for fluctuating parasitism rates. This variability in parasitism rates over the three years was mainly due to the effect of Torymus flavipes (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Torymidae), which in 2011 accounted for 75% of all parasitoid specimens yet decreased drastically in the following years. This strong fluctuation may be related to climatic conditions. Besides, our data verified that parasitoids do not choose host galls based on their size, though when they do parasitize smaller ones, they exploit them better. Consequently, ACGWs have higher chances of surviving parasitism if they are inside larger galls.
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spelling doaj-art-9f88680e911f4aadaaf8d80cfde220e02025-08-20T02:20:51ZengWileyPsyche: A Journal of Entomology0033-26151687-74382018-01-01201810.1155/2018/80780498078049Population Dynamics of Native Parasitoids Associated with the Asian Chestnut Gall Wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus) in ItalyTiziana Panzavolta0Francesco Croci1Matteo Bracalini2George Melika3Stefano Benedettelli4Guido Tellini Florenzano5Riziero Tiberi6Department of Agrifood Production and Environmental Sciences, University of Florence, Via Maragliano 77, 50144 Florence, ItalyDepartment of Agrifood Production and Environmental Sciences, University of Florence, Via Maragliano 77, 50144 Florence, ItalyDepartment of Agrifood Production and Environmental Sciences, University of Florence, Via Maragliano 77, 50144 Florence, ItalyPlant Health and Molecular Biology Laboratory, National Food Chain Safety Office, Directorate of Plant Protection, Soil Conservation and Agri-Environment, Budaörsi Str. 141-145, Budapest 1118, HungaryDepartment of Agrifood Production and Environmental Sciences, University of Florence, Via Maragliano 77, 50144 Florence, ItalyDepartment of Agrifood Production and Environmental Sciences, University of Florence, Via Maragliano 77, 50144 Florence, ItalyDepartment of Agrifood Production and Environmental Sciences, University of Florence, Via Maragliano 77, 50144 Florence, ItalyNative parasitoids may play an important role in biological control. They may either support or hinder the effectiveness of introduced nonnative parasitoids released for pest control purposes. Results of a three-year survey (2011–2013) of the Asian chestnut gall wasp (ACGW) Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) populations and on parasitism rates by native indigenous parasitoids (a complex of chalcidoid hymenopterans) in Italian chestnut forests are given. Changes in D. kuriphilus gall size and phenology were observed through the three years of study. A total of 13 species of native parasitoids were recorded, accounting for fluctuating parasitism rates. This variability in parasitism rates over the three years was mainly due to the effect of Torymus flavipes (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Torymidae), which in 2011 accounted for 75% of all parasitoid specimens yet decreased drastically in the following years. This strong fluctuation may be related to climatic conditions. Besides, our data verified that parasitoids do not choose host galls based on their size, though when they do parasitize smaller ones, they exploit them better. Consequently, ACGWs have higher chances of surviving parasitism if they are inside larger galls.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/8078049
spellingShingle Tiziana Panzavolta
Francesco Croci
Matteo Bracalini
George Melika
Stefano Benedettelli
Guido Tellini Florenzano
Riziero Tiberi
Population Dynamics of Native Parasitoids Associated with the Asian Chestnut Gall Wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus) in Italy
Psyche: A Journal of Entomology
title Population Dynamics of Native Parasitoids Associated with the Asian Chestnut Gall Wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus) in Italy
title_full Population Dynamics of Native Parasitoids Associated with the Asian Chestnut Gall Wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus) in Italy
title_fullStr Population Dynamics of Native Parasitoids Associated with the Asian Chestnut Gall Wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus) in Italy
title_full_unstemmed Population Dynamics of Native Parasitoids Associated with the Asian Chestnut Gall Wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus) in Italy
title_short Population Dynamics of Native Parasitoids Associated with the Asian Chestnut Gall Wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus) in Italy
title_sort population dynamics of native parasitoids associated with the asian chestnut gall wasp dryocosmus kuriphilus in italy
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/8078049
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