PARASITISM OF THE BROWN LONGHORN , FUSCUM (FABR.) (COLEOPTERA: CERAMBYCIDAE) IN HALIFAX, . J. Sweeney1, J. Price1, S. Sopow1, G. Smith1, Gavin Broad2 and Henri Goulet3 1Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, PO Box 4000, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5P7 2Biological Records Centre, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Monks Wood, Cambs, England PE28 2LS 3Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre, 960 Carling Ave. Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6

Abstract

The brown spruce , associations were made by isolating individual Tetropium (Fabr.), native to Europe and established near Halifax, prepupae in red spruce slabs and identifying the species NS, since at least 1990, is currently the target of a survey as either T. fuscum or T. cinnamopterum using distinctive and eradication program. Tetropium fuscum is host to morphological features (Smith and Gill, unpublished). several species of parasitoids in Europe. In the event Subsequent adult examinations confirmed the species that eradication is not successful, biological control identity of all prepupae that successfully completed may provide an option for long term management of T. development. Of 25 prepupae identified asT. fuscum, fuscum. Our objectives were to determine the incidence there emerged 18 T. fuscum adults, 4 Rhimphoctona of parasitism of T. fuscum in the Halifax population, and macrocephala (Provancher) and 3 Wroughtonia the identity and origin of parasitoid species. Bait logs occidentalis (Cresson). Of 29 prepupae identified asT. of red spruce, Sarg., were set out in Point cinnamopterum, there emerged 23 T. cinnamopterum Pleasant Park and other sites in the Halifax area in May adults, 3 R. macrocephala, and 3 W. occidentalis. Percent of 2000, 2001 and 2002. In late fall-early winter, the parasitism of Tetropium spp. ranged from 0-25% for logs were either sawn into 1 cm thick slabs to isolate R. macrocephala and from 5-56% for W. occidentalis. individual Tetropium larvae, or cut into 35 cm long bolts. Rhimphoctona macrocephala and W. occidentalis are Bolts and slabs were incubated at 21 ºC for 12 weeks koinobionts, i.e., the host development continues after and the number and species of adult Tetropium spp. and parasite oviposition. Each parasitoid species emerges from parasitoids recorded. Two Nearctic hymenoptera species the host prepupa and forms a cocoon within the pupal were found commonly parasitizing T. fuscum and the chamber. To our knowledge, these are the first records native North American species, of parasitism of T. fuscum by Nearctic parasitoids. With (L.): Rhimphoctona macrocephala (Prov.) (Hymenoptera: greater knowledge of the factors affecting parasitoid Ichneumonidae) and Wroughtonia occidentalis Cresson foraging and survival, it may be possible to enhance their (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Positive host-parasitoid impact on T. fuscum in Nova Scotia.

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