SYSTEMATICS OF NATIVE AND EXOTIC SPECIES OF ERETMOCERUS

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: TERMINATED
• Funding Source: NRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0185858
• Grant No.: 00-35316-9268
• Project No.: MONB00130
• Proposal No.: 2000-03064
• Project Start Date: Sep 1, 2000
• Project End Date: Aug 31, 2005
• Grant Year: 2000

Project Director
Rose, M.

Recipient Organization
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
BOZEMAN,MT 59717

Performing Department
ENTOMOLOGY

Non Technical Summary
Bemisia (tabaci group) has caused billions of dollars in economic losses in southern states. Exotic Eretmocerus have been released in the U.S. to reduce this pest population. Evaluations and resultant greater implementation of parasitic Hymenoptera attacking Bemisia to improve population regulation require identification of parasite species complexes, which are substantially comprised of exotic and indigenous Eretmocerus. This project has relevance to improved protection of major agricultural and horticultural production systems, and development of sustainable pest management systems. Goals are to identify nominal indigenous and exotic Eretmocerus recovered from Bemisia sampled on sites in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Texas where exotic Eretmocerus spp. have and are being released; to characterize and describe indigenous species of Eretmocerus reared from Bemisia in the U.S.; to characterize and describe exotic species of Eretmocerus released in the U.S. against Bemisia ; to identify, and to characterize and describe, indigenous species of Eretmocerus reared from other whitefly genera (Aleuropleurocelus, Aleurothrixus, Paralyrodes, Tetraleurodes, Trialeurodes) that occur in the same areas where exotic Eretmocerus spp. have been released and recovered; and to provide basic taxonomic training to collaborators.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

50%

Applied

50%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
215	2410	1130	50%
216	2410	1130	50%

Knowledge Area
215 - Biological Control of Pests Affecting Plants; 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
2410 - Cross-commodity research--multiple crops;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;

Keywords

systematics

hymenoptera

eretmocerus

bemisia

biological control (insects)

insect control

integrated pest management

insect identification

tetraleurodes

native species

exotic species

insect collection

insect taxonomy

natural enemies

species composition

host parasite relations

verification

dissection

insect morphology

bemisia tabaci

Goals / Objectives
1. Identify the nominal native and exotic species of Eretmocerus recovered from BTG on sites in Arizona, California, Florida, North Carolina and Texas where exotic Eretmocerus species have and are being released against this whitefly. 2. Characterize and describe exotic species of Eretmocerus released in the U.S. against BTG and native species of Eretmocerus reared from BTG in the U.S. 3. Identify, characterize and describe native species of Eretmocerus reared from whitefly species in other genera (e.g., Aleuropleurocelus, Aleurothrixus, Paralyrodes, Tetraleurodes, Trialeurodes, ) that are present in areas where exotic Eretmocerus species have been released or recovered. 4. Provide training sessions to collaborators about basic Eretmocerus taxonomy and species identification.

Project Methods
Eretmocerus reared from Bemisia (BTG) and other whitefly genera will be provided to the PI's by the cooperators. Sampling will be conducted for recovery of natural enemies. Sampling for natural enemies is distinct from randomized or stratified random sampling because the goal of recovery sampling is to rear parasites from hosts to determine species composition. Cooperators will provide specimens from BTG and Trialeurodes. Samples of other whitefly genera will be dependent upon locations. For example, Aleuropleurocelus will be collected primarily in California; Aleurothrixus will be collected primarily in Florida and Texas; Paralyrodes will be collected in Texas, and Tetraleurodes will be collected in California, Florida and Texas. The whitefly genera listed above include species that are most often found living within the same areas and at times on the same host plants as BTG. The five additional whitefly genera are distinct from BTG. Specimens of host whitefly on leaf bits will be included with parasite samples for verification of genus and species by the PI's. If there are questions about whitefly species identity A. Hamon (Florida) and R. Gill (California) will identify the appropriate specimens. Samples will be held in paper cans at 26 + or - 2 C and ~50% RH for adult parasite emergence. After ~ 3 weeks, the dead and dry adult parasites will be collected in 0.25 - 0.5 dram glass shell vials, labeled and sent to the PI's. If necessary, live material will be held in the federally approved Quarantine Laboratory at Montana State University for adult parasite emergence. All specimens provided by cooperators will be furnished with complete collection data. These data will be written in permanent ink on all microslide labels and will be part of the permanent record in the computerized data acquisition system. Individual female and male specimens will be cleared in acetophenol and mounted in Hoyer's medium (Rosen and DeBach 1979) on microslides and appropriately labeled. All specimens will be examined and in many cases measured. Portions of series that are determined to represent new species to be characterized and described will be mounted in balsam. Slides will be examined under dissecting and compound microscopes and initially sorted based upon characters of the habitus. Series will be separated based upon these criteria and morphological features will be examined using Nomarski-Interference light microscopy. Representative specimens within series will be measured to obtain numerical data for comparisons of the size and relative size of specific morphological features between and among series. If initial examinations yield evidence of new species that require characterization, additional samples will be requested from cooperators to be certain that there are sufficient specimens in series to provide for balsam mounts, and for the collection of live material into 80% ethanol to be used for critical point drying and examination under SEM. The Co-PI is director of the Kansas State University Entomology SEM Laboratory and will undertake the preparation and examination of specimens

Progress 09/01/00 to 08/31/05

Outputs
Mike Rose passed away and this grant was taken over by the Co-PI from another university. I believe he turned in a hard copy of the termination report and summary to the granting agency due to the fact he was from another university.

Impacts
none

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 09/01/00 to 08/31/04

Outputs
Dr. Michael Rose is is deceased. The remaining funds were reliniqued to Kansas State University, Dr. Gregory Zolnerowich. The project will be finalized there.

Impacts
The taxonomy of exotic Eretmocerus species attacking Bemisia will enable evaluation of estblishment, distribution and species compositions of exotic speceis, and aid in pest management decisions. Taxonomy of native Eretmocerus species will elucidate species complexes on a broader whitefly host fauna in regions where exotic Eretmocerus are known to exist. This will allow for examination of possible non-target host utilization by exotic species, and possible competiton between native and exotic Eretmocerus for various host resources.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
Microslide curation Eretmocerus specimens from Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Texas. Sorting specimens to series believed to represent species. Examination of series with dissecting and compound microscopes. Digital measurements and analysis of same under the compound microscope. Line drawings. Compilation of microslide collection and database for California collections. Three additional exotic Eretmocerus populations imported from Ethiopia, Hong Kong and Sudan that were released against Bemisia in the U.S., have been characterized. The species from Hong Kong and Sudan have papers completed, one is in review with The Florida Entomologist. Additional voucher material from Ethiopia has been secured and series established. A recently discovered Eretmocerus attacking a invading Asian whitefly, Aleuroclava jasmini (Takahashi), in Florida has been characterized and described and drawings completed. To be submitted to The Florida Entomologist. A new native species of Eretmocerus that attacks the American Tetraleurodes acaciae (Quaintance) in urban and desert areas of the Imperial Valley of southern California, where exotic Eretmocerus have been recovered from Bemisia, has been characterized and described. Accepted by The Pan Pacific Entomologist as the 1st in a series. A new native species of Eretmocerus that attacks the American whitefly Aleuropleurocelus sp. on a native desert plants in areas of the Imperial Valley of southern California, where exotic Eretmocerus were recovered has been characterized and described. Submitted to Pan Pacific Entomologist. A new native species of Eretmocerus that attacks the American whitefly Aleuropleurocelus nr. oblanceolatus on the New World plant Lantana in the San Diego area of southern California near, but somewhat isolated by a mountain range from, Imperial Valley locations where exotic Eretmocerus were released against and recovered on Bemisia, has been characterized and described, and illustrations completed. A new native species of Eretmocerus that attacks the cosmopolitan whitefly Trialeurodes abutiloneus (Haldeman) that is sympatric in field crops with Bemisia in the California San Joaquin Valley where exotic Eretmocerus have been released against and recovered on Bemisia, is being characterized and drawings are completed. A new native species of Eretmocerus that attacks the American whitefly Tetraleurodes mori (Quaintance) on Morus, which also harbors Bemisia in the California San Joaquin Valley, is being characterized and drawings are completed. 9. A new species of Eretmocerus that attacks the American whitefly Tetraleurodes perseae, a California invader of avocado, has been characterized and figured. Under review with Vedalia: the International Jour. of Biological Control. Three new American Eretmocerus species reared from Aleurotrachelus, Bemisia and Trialeurodes living on cassava in northern South America are being characterized. These American species are significant because they demonstrate the naturally occurring complexity of Eretmocerus species on a single plant host where multiple host whitefly species are present. To be submitted to The Florida Entomologist.

Impacts
The taxonomy of exotic Eretmocerus species attacking Bemisia will enable evaluation of estblishment, distribution and species compositions of exotic speceis, and aid in pest management decisions. Taxonomy of native Eretmocerus species will elucidate species complexes on a broader whitefly host fauna in regions where exotic Eretmocerus are known to exist. This will allow for examination of possible non-target host utilization by exotic species, and possible competiton between native and exotic Eretmocerus for various host resources.

Publications

• Eretmocerus xxx new species (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae) reared from Tetraleurodes acaciae (Quaintance) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae: Aleyrodinae). Rose and Zolnerowich. 2003. In Press.
• Eretmocerus xxx new species (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae) reared from Aleuropleurocelus sp. (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae: Aleyrodinae) on Hymenoclea salsola (Compositae: Heliantheae), in the California Imperial Valley. Rose and Zolnerowich. 2004. In Submission.
• Eretmocerus xxx new species (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae) reared from Tetraleurodes perseae (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae: Aleyrodinae) living on avocado in Michaocan, Mexico. Rose and Zolnerowich. 2003. In Review.
• Eretmocerus xxx new species (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae) , an exotic natural enemy of Bemisia (tabaci group) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) released in Florida. Zolnerowich and Rose. 200. In review.
• Eretmocerus xxx new species (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae: Aleyrodinae), an exotic natural enemy of Bemisia (tabaci group) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) recovered in Florida. Zolnerowich and Rose. 2004. In Submission.
• The genus Eretmocerus (Haldeman) (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae). Rose and Zolnerowich. 2004. Book chapter. In Submission.

Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02

Outputs
Goals for 2001and 2002. Microslide curation of several thousand Eretmocerus specimens from Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Texas. Sorting of [these] specimens to series believed to represent species. Examination of [these] series of specimens with dissecting and compound microscopes. Digital measurements and analysis of same under the compound microscope. Results for 2001-2002. Eleven Eretmocerus species reared from Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell), an American whitefly species from southern South America to the southern U.S., described in Vedalia: The International Jour. Biological Control, in 2001. Three Eretmocerus populations imported from Ethiopia, Hong Kong and Sudan released against Bemisia in the U.S.were examined. The Hong Kong and Sudan populations have been characterized; two papers soon to be submitted to Fl. Entomol. Additional original material from Ethiopia is being sought. An adventitous Eretmocerus attacking a newly invading Asian whitefly, Aleuroclava jasmini (Takahashi), in Florida has been characterized and described. Soon to be submitted to The Florida Entomologist. A native species of Eretmocerus that attacks the American whitefly Tetraleurodes acaciae (Quaintance) in urban and desert areas of the California Imperial Valley where exotic Eretmocerus have been released against and recovered from Bemisia has been characterized and described. Soon to be submitted to The Pan Pacific Entomologist as the 1st in a series. A native Eretmocerus that attacks the American whitefly Aleuropleurocelus sp. on native desert plants in the CaliforniaImperial Valley where species of exotic Eretmocerus were released has been characterized and described. A native species of Eretmocerus that attacks the American whitefly Aleuropleurocelus nr. oblanceolatus on the New World plant Lantana in the San Diego area of southern California near, but somewhat isolated by a mountain range from, Imperial Valley locations where exotic Eretmocerus were released against and recovered on Bemisia, has been characterized and described. A native species of Eretmocerus that attacks the cosmopolitan whitefly Trialeurodes abutiloneus (Haldeman) that is sympatric in field crops with Bemisia in the California San Joaquin Valley where exotic Eretmocerus have been released against and recovered on Bemisia, is being characterized. A native species of Eretmocerus that attacks the American whitefly Tetraleurodes mori (Quaintance) on Morus, which also harbors Bemisia in the California San Joaquin Valley, is being characterized. A new species of Eretmocerus that attacks the Americam whitefly Tetraleurodes perseae, a California invader of avocado, has been characterized and figured. Now under submission to Vedalia. Three new American Eretmocerus species from Aleurotrachelus, Bemisia and Trialeurodes on cassava in northern South America are being characterized. These American species are significant because they demonstrate the complexity of Eretmocerus species on a single plant host where multiple host whitefly species are present. To be submitted to The Florida Entomologist.

Impacts
Elucidation of Eretmocerus spp. complexes will allow forfurther implementation and evaluation of biological control of Bemisia in the U.S. and abroad, and allow for investigation of possible non-target host utilization by exotic Eretmocerus spp.and competition for said host resources.

Publications

• No 2002 publications.

Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01

Outputs
Numerous populations of parasitic Hymenoptera in the genus Eretmocerus (Aphelinidae) were introduced from foreign countries and released in the United States as natural enemies of the pest whitefly, Bemisia (tabaci group) during the recent national action program run by the USDA. Eight species - four exotic and four native - that attack Bemisia in the United States have been characterized and described by Rose and Zolnerowich. Current field population compositions of Eretmocerus species living in Bemisia, and other non target whitefly species, remains unknown. This research seeks to elucidate the composition of Eretmocerus species living in Bemisia and other whitefly species in areas where exotic Eretmocerus species have been released. State and federal scientists that were active in the release of exotic Eretmocerus agreed to provide samples of Eretmocerus reared from Bemisia and other whitefly (e.g., Aleurothrixus, Dialeurodes, Paralyrodes, Tetraleurodes, Trialeurodes, etc.) within the exotic species release vicinities on both agricultural and non-agricultural plants to enable this immediate goal. The longer-term goal is to gain background that will allow for assessment of possible non-target whitefly host utilization by exotic species. To this end, the following have been accomplished following microslide curation and examination of series of specimens: Two additional exotic Eretmocerus populations from Ethiopia and Hong Kong that have been released against Bemisia in the U.S. are now being characterized; eleven Eretmocerus species reared from Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell), an American whitefly species that occurs from Argentina to the southern U.S., have recently been characterized and described (see Publications); a recently discovered Eretmocerus attacking a newly invading Asian whitefly, Aleuroclava jasmini (Takahashi), in Florida has been characterized and this publication will soon be submitted (see publications); two new species of Eretmocerus that attack Tetraleurodes acaciae (Quaintance) in areas of southern California where exotic Eretmocerus have been released against and recovered from Bemisia are being characterized and described (see publications); three new species of Eretmocerus reared from non-target whitefly on non-agricultural desert vegetation in and around the California Imperial Valley where exotic Eretmocerus releases have been intense are being characterized; a new species of Eretmocerus reared from both Trialeurodes abutiloneus (Haldeman) and Bemisia in areas of Florida and Georgia where exotic Eretmocerus species have been released is being characterized; and six new species reared from Bemisia, Trialeurodes and Aleurotrachelus in the Americas are being characterized

Impacts
A better understanding of the Eretmocerus species complexes attacking whitefly in the Americas. The establishment of exotic Eretmocerus species on Bemisia in the U.S. Possible non-target host utilization by established exotic Eretmocerus species.

Publications

• Rose, M. and G. Evans. 2002. In Progress. Two new parasite species (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae) reared from Aleuroclava jasmini (Takahashi) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae: Aleyrodinae) in Florida.
• Rose, M. and G. Zolnerowich. 2002. In Progress. Eretmocerus hoelmeri n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae), from Tetraleurodes acaciae (Quaintance) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae: Aleyrodinae) in the California Imperial Valley.
• Rose, M. and G. Zolnerowich. 2002. In Progress. Eretmocerus picketti n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae), from Tetraleurodes acaciae (Quaintance) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae: Aleyrodinae) in coastal southern California.
• Rose, M. 2000. Eretmocerus Haldeman (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) reared from Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in the Americas. VEDALIA 7: 3-46. Monograph.

Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00

Outputs
Specimens from cooperators in California and Texas are being curated and examined. Slide-mounted specimens are being sorted into exotic and native groups. Series of specimens are being sorted into series that are thought to represent species. Additional specimens are expected from all cooperators as the warm season allows for field recovery sampling.Exotic populations from Bemisia originating in Hong Kong and Ethiopia are being characterized.Original specimens from Ethiopia are to be provided by USDA cooperators. Specimens from a multiple year survey of 4 species of whitefly in Columbia taken from a single host plant will now be included in this study. Examinations show that 4-5 undescribed species of Eretmocerus are involved. Understanding this species diversity will aid our understanding of species diversity and characterizations in the US.

Impacts
Evaluations of the national Bemisia program will be enhanced as species are discriminated.

Publications

• M. Rose. 2001. Eretmocerus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) reared from Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in the Americas. Vedalia (monograph) 60 pp. In Press.