First report of pupal parasitoids of filth-breeding flies (Diptera) from bovine manure in northeastern Mexico

Abstract

A total of 2702 individuals representing nine species of Pteromalidae (Chalcidoidea) Plus at least one species of Diapriidae, Trichopria haematobiae (Ashmead) (Diaprioidea), were reared as pupal parasitoids of filth-breeding flies in bovine manure during a 2-year study in northern Tamaulipas, Mexico. The Pteromalidae included two undescribed species of Spalangia Latreille plus Spalangia cameroni Perkins, S. drosophilae Ashmead, S. endius Walker, S. nigroaenea Curtis, Muscidifurax raptor Girault and Sanders, M. zaraptor Kogan and Legner, and Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Rondani). Spalangia nigroaenea accounted for 71\% of all the pupal parasitoids and all six Spalangia species for 94\% of the parasitoids over the 2 years. Based on its preponderance, S. nigroaenea is recommended as a candidate for inundative releases within integrated pest management programs to help control fly pests of cattle in northeastern Mexico.