Distribution of alfalfa weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and its parasitoids on the Canadian Prairies, with a key to described species of Nearctic Bathyplectes (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

This study recorded distribution and size of alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica (Gyllenhal); Coleoptera: Curculionidae) populations in Saskatchewan, Canada, from 2001 to 2014. The spread of alfalfa weevil across the province, originally southwest to southeast, was northward and westward during this time...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian entomologist 2020-10, Vol.152 (5), p.663-701
Main Authors: Soroka, Juliana, Bennett, Andrew M.R., Kora, Cezarina, Schwarzfeld, Marla D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alfalfa
Bathyplectes curculionis
Biological control
Coleoptera
Curculionidae
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Distribution
Divergence
DNA
DNA barcoding
DNA sequencing
Eggs
Entomology
Genetic diversity
Hymenoptera
Hypera postica
Ichneumonidae
Insects
Interspecific
Medicago sativa
Microctonus colesi
Morphology
Nucleotide sequence
Oomyzus incertus
Parasitoids
Pest control
Pests
Prairies
Provinces
R&D
Research & development
Research Papers
Species
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Summary:This study recorded distribution and size of alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica (Gyllenhal); Coleoptera: Curculionidae) populations in Saskatchewan, Canada, from 2001 to 2014. The spread of alfalfa weevil across the province, originally southwest to southeast, was northward and westward during this time. By 2014, only northwestern and west central areas remained relatively alfalfa weevil free. From a minor pest in 2001, the alfalfa weevil increased to be the principal insect pest of alfalfa (Medicago sativa Linnaeus; Fabaceae) in 2014. The parasitoid Bathyplectes curculionis (Thomson) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) had a similar distribution. Other parasitoids collected included Oomyzus incertus (Ratzeburg) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Microctonus colesi Drea (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Conservation of these parasitoids is an important step in maximising their effectiveness as alfalfa weevil biocontrol agents. Molecular sequencing of the DNA barcoding region of specimens identified morphologically as B. curculionis indicated moderately high levels of sequence divergence among specimens (up to 5.8%); however, interspecific genetic variation between other species of Bathyplectes Förster was also high. Therefore, we conclude that B. curculionis was the only Bathyplectes species collected in our study. An illustrated key to the described species of Bathyplectes in North America is provided, as well as DNA barcodes of most species, including five distinct barcodes in the Bathyplectes curculionis–B. exiguus (Gravenhorst) species complex.
ISSN:0008-347X
1918-3240
DOI:10.4039/tce.2020.35