Natural Parasitism of Monoctenus sanchezi (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae: Monocteninae) in the Sierra de Álvarez, San Luis Potosí, Mexico

Abstract

24.8% of parasitism represented by six genera and four species of parasitoids of larvae of sawfly, Monoctenus sanchezi Smith, an insect that defoliates white cedar (Juniperus flaccida Schlechtendal) at San Luis Potosí, Mexico, were reported. The genera and species were molecularly identified as Casinaria sp. (Ichneumonidae), Digonogastra sp. (Braconidae), Billaea biserialis Portshinsky, Lespesia postica Walker, and Vibrissina mexicana Aldrich (Tachinidae), in addition to the tachinid fly hyperparasitoid Perilampus tristis Mayr (Perilampidae). The braconid Digonogastra sp. and tachinid B. biserialis were reported for the first time parasitizing M. sanchezi larvae, thus expanding its number of hosts and range of distribution.