Updated host associations and distribution of <i>Lysiphlebus fabarum</i> (Marshall) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Algeria
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Keywords

Algeria
aphid hosts
associations
distribution
Lysiphlebus fabarum

How to Cite

Updated host associations and distribution of Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Algeria. (2024). Tropical Agriculture, 101(4), 465-475. https://journals.sta.uwi.edu/ojs/index.php/ta/article/view/8821

Abstract

Aphids are considered serious pests that cause damage to various crops. There are several natural enemies that regulate their populations, including the Aphidiinae who are exclusively aphid parasitoids. The importance of Aphidiinae as biocontrol agents has been reported in many articles discussing their abundance and tritrophic relationships around the world. This study aimed to determine the tritrophic relationships between aphids and the main parasitoid Lysiphlebus fabarum in Algeria during 2007 - 2020. Ninety-one tritrophic relationships have been established between L. fabarum and 40 aphid species. These aphids have been found on 50 different plant species belonging to 21 botanical families. Fourteen aphid genera have been identified, with 19 belonging to the Aphis genus. The most dominant interactions between this parasitoid and its host were with Aphis craccivora, A. fabae and A. gossypii, which accounted for half of all trophic relationships recorded in this study. The results indicate that the parasitoid L. fabarum is prevalent in Algeria, with a significant number of aphid hosts throughout most of the year.

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