An integrative study ofNecremnus Thomson (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) associated with invasive pests in Europe and North America: taxonomic and ecological implications

Abstract

The species of Necremnus attacking two invasive pests of tomato and canola in Europe and North America, respectively, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), have been revised using an integrative taxonomy approach. Molecular data from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I and the nuclear D2 expansion region of the 28S ribosomal subunit and internal transcribed spacer 2, the discovery of new morphological features, and study of type material resulted in the delineation of three species groups, the Necremnus artynes, Necremnus cosconius, and Necremnus tidius groups, the discovery of four new species, and the resurrection of three taxa from synonymy. Lectotypes have been designated for 13 species originally described in Eulophus by Walker. Although Necremnus has not been revised, an illustrated key is given to differentiate 23 recognized European species. The key, type images, and treatments of the three species groups will enable more accurate identification of the valid species of Necremnus in the future. They will also benefit biological control practitioners of pest species. The ecological consequences of the new taxonomic concepts are discussed.

Nitrogen and water inputs to tomato plant do not trigger bottom‐up effects on a leafminer parasitoid through host and non‐host exposures

“…[28][29][30][31] Among them, the Eulophid larval ectoparasitoid, first identified as Necremnus near artynes but most probably attributable to the sp. nov. Necremnus tutae Ribes & Bernardo, 32 was confirmed as one of the most effective parasitoid agents against T. absoluta. 33,34 The outcomes of plant-herbivorous insect-natural enemy tri-trophic interactions may be strongly influenced by plant quality.…”

“…Among them, the Eulophid larval ectoparasitoid, first identified as Necremnus near artynes but most probably attributable to the sp. nov. Necremnus tutae Ribes & Bernardo, was confirmed as one of the most effective parasitoid agents against T. absoluta , …”

Checklist of British and Irish Hymenoptera - Chalcidoidea and Mymarommatoidea

“…N. hippia (Walker, 1839, Eulophus ) was removed from synonymy under N. tidius by Gebiola et al (2015)​; there is no evidence that N. hippia has been recorded from Britain as Walker did not specify a type locality and only a ‘var.’ was described as having being collected from near London, which is not equivalent to N. hippia sensu Gebiola et al (2015)​.…”

Impact of a shared sugar food source on biological control of Tuta absoluta by the parasitoid Necremnus tutae

“…However, other biological control agents that impact different pest stages, mainly in T. absoluta, as well as in different phenological stage and architecture of tomato plants have to be implemented (Perdikis et al 2014;Mirhosseini et al 2019). The eulophid parasitoid Necremnus tutae Ribes & Bernardo (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) has been observed and is widespread in Europe and Africa parasitizing T. absoluta (Gebiola et al 2015). It has been identified as a promising biological control agent on T. absoluta (Biondi et al 2013a;Chailleux et al 2014a;Naselli et al 2017;Bodino et al 2019).…”