Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/05
Outputs
Administrative termination, no longer at UCR
Impacts
Administrative termination, no loner at UCR
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Work on this project has focused on three areas: 1) clarifying generic limits, 2) reviewing the classification of the family, 3) databasing collection records, especially those associated with North American Trichogramma. Activities for this project have focused on clarifying generic limits in the Trichogrammatidae, particularly those occurring in the New World, family classification and databasing of Trichogrammatidae collection records. 1) Generic limits. Several new genera have or are being decribed. The review of the Oligositini, the largest tribe of Trichogrammatidae was the most significant study completed. Nearing completion is a review and key of all New World genera in the family. 2) Family classification. We are in the process of examining the higher classification of the Trichogrammatidae using molecular characters (18S and 28S [D2 and D3 domains] regions of ribosomal DNA). Various Aphelinidae have been used as outgroups. Maximum Parsimony and Baysian
algorithms are being used to analyze results. This work is testing the current family classification which currently employs genitalic characters. This study, started about a year ago, has continued to add recently collected material to increase taxon sampling. Currently over 60% of the described genera plus several undescribed genera have been incorporated into the study. This analysis will eventually include morphological traits as well, for a complete revision of family structure. Results will be submitted for publication shortly. 3) Databasing. The entire UC Riverside collection of North American Trichogramma (over 5000 records) has been databased in Filemaker Pro and will soon be available. Student projects have included the completion of a MS thesis by Jeremiah George on the Paracentrobiini and a dissertation monographing the genus Ufens by Albert Owen which is in the final stages.
Impacts
The Trichogrammatidae are parasites of the eggs of other insects, many of which are of economic significance. The group is a significant one for biological control, although thus far, relatively few genera have been actively employed in control efforts. This of course includes Trichogramma, the most widely applied group of parasitic Hymenoptera in augmentative release programs throughout the world. The other genera realizing some utilization include Doirania, Aphelinoidea, Ceratogramma, Haeckeliania, Uscana and Trichogrammatoidea. The potential for application is retarded by lack of basic knowledge of this family, perhaps the most poorly known taxonomically of all the parasitic Hymenoptera. The systematics studies here are aimed at increasing the important systematic infrastructure of this group, facilitating identifications by non-specialists, and increasing its potential for application.
Publications
- Pinto, J. D. and A. K. Owen. 2004. Adryas, a new genus of Trichogrammatidae (Hymenoptera : Chalcidoidea) from the New World tropics. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 106 : 905-922.
- Pinto, J. D. and G. Viggiani. 2004. A review of the genera of Oligositini (Hymenoptera : Trichogrammatidae) with a preliminary hypothesis of phylogenetic relationships. Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 13 : 63-
- Pinto, J. D., G. R. Platner, and R. Stouthamer. 2003. The systematics of the Trichogramma minutum Complex (Hymenoptera : Trichogrammatidae), a group of important North American biological control agents : The evidence from reproductive compatibility and allozymes. Biological Control 27: 167-180.
- Viggiani, G. and J. D. Pinto. 2003. Description of Sinepalpigramma, a new genus of Trichogrammatidae (Hymenoptera : Chalcidoidea), including two new species. Bollettino del Laboratorio di Entomologia Agraria <> di Portici 58 : 117-122.
- Borghuis, A., J. D. Pinto, G. R. Platner, and R. Stouthamer. 2004. Partial cytochrome oxidase II sequences distinguish the sibling species Trichogramma minutum Riley and Trichogramma platneri Nagarkatti. Biological Control 30: 90-94.
- Pinto, J. D. and J. George. 2004. Kyuwia, a new genus of Trichogrammatidae (Hymenoptera) from Africa. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 106 : 531-539.
- Owen, A. K. and J. D. Pinto. 2004. Pachamama, an uncommon and distinctive new genus of Trichogrammatidae (Hymenoptera : Chalcidoidea) from tropical America. Zootaxa 664 : 1-8.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Work on this project has focused on three areas: 1) clarifying generic limits, 2) reviewing the classification of the family, 3) databasing collection records, especially those associated with North American Trichogramma. Studies this past year have been completed on the Oligositini, the largest tribe of Trichogrammatidae. It involved a redefinition of genera, a review of all genera, and a key for identification. A manuscript of over 50 pages was submitted for publication in early 2004. In addition, the genus DOIRANIA, was reviewed and a new North American species was described; also two new genera were described (both manuscripts accepted for publication). In addition, students working in my laboratory are in the process of revising the higher classification of the Trichogrammatidae using molecular characters (18S and 28S [D2 and D3 domains] regions of ribosomal DNA). Various Aphelinidae have been used as outgroups. Maximum Parsimony and Maximum Likelihood algorithms
are being used to analyze results. This work is testing the current family classification which currently employs genitalic characters. This study, started about a year ago, has continued to add recently collected material to increase taxon sampling. Currently well over 50% of the described genera plus several undescribed genera have been incorporated into the study. Many of these represent material freshly collected by recent field efforts in North and South America, Africa, Australia, and Europe. This analysis will eventually include morphological traits as well, for a complete revision of family structure. Other progress includes a completed review of the tribe Paracentrobiini for North America by one of my graduate students. Another graduate student continues to pursue revisionary studies on the genus UFENS. A sabbatical leave this past year focused on this project. It included field collections in Europe and Australia, and visits to various Australian and European museums to
examine type material and other holdings. Other efforts have seen the virtual completion of the project databasing all North American collection records of TRICHOGRAMMA using File Maker Pro. Almost 5000 records have been incorporated. Databased for each record are collection locality, collector, date of collection, and, where applicable, host plant and host insect. This past year has seen the addition of ca. 2500 records beyond those incorporated as of the end of last year.
Impacts
The Trichogrammatidae are parasites of the eggs of other insects, many of which are of economic significance. The group is a significant one for biological control, although thus far, relatively few genera have been actively employed in control efforts. This of course includes TRICHOGRAMMA, the most widely applied group of parasitic Hymenoptera in augmentative release programs throughout the world. The other genera realizing some utilization include DOIRANIA, APHELINOIDEA, CERATOGRAMMA, HAECKELIANIA, USCANA and TRICHOGRAMMATOIDEA. The potential for application is retarded by lack of basic knowledge of this family, perhaps the most poorly known taxonomically of all the parasitic Hymenoptera. The systematics studies here are aimed at increasing the important systematic infrastructure of this group and increasing its potential for application. The databasing of the TRICHOGRAMMA collection will be of immediate application to interested parties. Biological control workers
will now be able to immediately access all geographic records, known host insects, and associated plants for all TRICHOGRAMMA species in North America. This should facilitate decisions on what native species would be the most acceptable for augmentation both from an economic and environmental point of view. We hope to have this database accessible within the next few months.
Publications
- Pinto, J. D. 2004. A review of the genus Doirania (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) with a description of a new species from North America. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 106: 352-360.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Most of the work on this project has focused on clarifying generic definitions and relationships in the family Trichogrammatidae. Recent study has dealt with the tribe Oligositini, perhaps the most speciose groups of trichogrammatids. With 8 genera the group includes well over 150 named species plus many undescribed. Morphological character analysis of all genera is currently underway. A taxonomic review of Doirania, an enemy of tettigoniid orthopterans, is nearing completion. A manuscript will be submitted for publication in 2-3 months. Another major effort was made to increase our holdings of the family. Samples from a month-long collecting effort in Australia are now being sorted and curated. Because Australia is the home to the majority of genera in the family, this material will be important in the effort to better understand generic limits and intrafamilial relationships. In addition to the morphological studies, a molecular survey of trichogrammatids is being
carried out concurrently. These investigations are examining the 28S rDNA domains D2 and D3. Thus far about 60 taxa in 35 of the 80 nominal genera of Trichogrammatidae have been surveyed. ERETMOCERUS, a genus of Aphelinidae, is being used as an outgroup. Maximum Parsimony and Maximum Likelihood algorithms are being used to analyze results. Additional genera from the Australian samples and elsewhere are now on line which will increase our taxon sampling considerably. With the molecular and morphological analysis we hope to realize a more robust higher classification of the family. Revisionary studies of the tribe Paracentrobiini and of the genus UFENS are also underway. Finally, considerable time has been spent in databasing our collections. Most of the databasing effort is focusing on the immense UC Riverside collection of TRICHOGRAMMA using File Maker Pro. Thus far ca. 2500 records have been entered. Data being recorded for all North American species include locality and date of
collection (including GPS coordinates), and host records.
Impacts
The Trichogrammatidae are ubiquitous parasites of the eggs of other insects, many of which belong to groups renown for negative economic impact. Thus far relatively few genera have been actively employed in biological control. This of course includes TRICHOGRAMMA, the most widely applied group of parasitic Hymenoptera in augmentative release programs throughout the world. Other genera utilized in biological control include DOIRANIA, APHELINOIDEA, CERATOGRAMMA, USCANA and TRICHOGRAMMATOIDEA. Potential for application is retarded by lack of basic knowledge of this family, perhaps the most poorly known taxonomically of all the parasitic Hymenoptera. On-going systematics work is aimed to increase the important taxonomic infrastructure of this group and thus increase its potential for application. The databasing of the TRICHOGRAMMA collection should enjoy immediate use when completed. Biological control workers will be able to immediately access all geographic records,
known host insects, and associated plants for all TRICHOGRAMMA species in North America. This should facilitate decisions on what native species would be the most acceptable for augmentation both from an economic and environmental point of view.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
This project began September 2001. It focuses on a reclassification of the family Trichogrammatidae including generic redefinitions. Also UCR's extensive collection of the family is being databased using File Maker Pro. Preliminary work has been done on the databasing. We have transferred all collection data from dBASE to File Maker and also have started entering data from the Trichogramma collection (not previously databased to any degree). For the revisionary studies, collections from various museums are being sorted and material is being collected. Our considerable uncurated material is also being card and slide mounted so it will be available for study.
Impacts
The Trichogrammatidae is a family of insect egg parasitoids. For this reason all taxa are significant in natural control and of potential interest for biological control. Several genera are already employed for control measures. Without sound systematics the potential of this group for control will never be realized. At present identifications are virtually impossible for most genera and little to no information is available on distributions and biology. The systematics studies started will provide a foundation for future work and application. The databasing of the Trichogramma collection should prove especially useful. Because Trichogramma has been revised recently and is of extensive use in biological control this information, once available, will be of considerable value to a variety of users interested in distributions, host data, and other aspects of taxonomy and biology.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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