Larval Parasitoids and Parasitism Rates of the Cereal Leafminer, Syringopais temperatella (Lederer, 1855) (Lepidoptera: Scythridae) in Cereal Fields of Northern Cyprus

Abstract

The cereal leafminer, Syringopais temperatella Lederer (Lepidoptera: Scythridae) is an important pest in barley and wheat in Northern Cyprus. This study was carried out to identify the larval parasitoids and to determine the parasitism rate of S. temperatella. These studies were conducted in 42 cereal fields of 18 villages in Lefkosa, Girne, Guzelyurt, Gazimagusa and Iskele townships in 2012-2013 years, and 1567 and 862 larvae were collected in the two years, respectively. Larvae were kept inside boxes covered with nets in the laboratory at 25 +/- 1 degrees C and 65 +/- 5\% r.h. Following pupation, adult moths and parasitoids were obtained and percentage of parasitized larvae was determined. At the end of the study, Bracon (Habrobracon) stabilis (Wesmael) (Braconidae) and Agathis gracilenta Tobias (Braconidae) species from Hymenoptera order were obtained. Bracon stabilis (93.4\%) was determined as widespread and in higher level. A. gracilenta was identified for the first time as larval parasitoid of S. temperatella and also for Northern Cyprus and Cyprus Island. The average parasitism rate in cereal fields was 34.8-18.1\% in Guzelyurt, 31.8-12.2\% in Iskele, 21.0-8.4\% in Girne, 16.2-5.4\% in Lefkosa and, 9.5-1.8\% in Gazimagusa townships in 2012-2013 years, respectively.