New parasitoids of Paraphytomyza populi (Kltb.) (Diptera, Agromyzidae) in Bulgaria

Abstract

The parasitoid complex of Paraphytomyza populi (Kltb.) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) was studied in Sofia, Bulgaria in 1997. Poplar leaves with P. populi larvae and pupae were collected from poplar stump shoots and examined in a laboratory. As a result, eleven parasitoid species were established: Chorebus albipes (Haliday) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), Pediobius metallicus (Nees), Danuviella subplana Erdos, Chrysocharis nephereus (Walker), Chrysocharis pubicornis (Zetterstedt), Diglyphus crassinervis Erdos, Diglyphus isaea (Walker), Diglyphus albiscapus Erdos, Cirrospilus diallus Walker, Cirrospilus pictus (Nees) (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) and Elasmus sp. (Hymenoptera, Elasmidae). Six species (D. crassinervis, D. isaea, D. albiscapus, C. diallus, C. pictus and Elasmus sp.) have been recorded as new parasitoids of P. populi. The genus Danuviella was found for the first time in Bulgaria. Five species (C. albipes, P. metallicus, D. subplana, D. crassinervis and D. albiscapus) are new records for the fauna of the country. The total mortality of P. populi caused by parasitoids was 19.1 % and 49.0 % for the overwintering and the summer generations, respectively. P. metallicus was the most important in reducing the pest number.