DNA-based confirmation that the parasitic wasp Cotesia glomerata (Braconidae, Hymenoptera) is a new threat to endemic butterflies of the Canary Islands

Abstract

Island-endemic species can be particularly vulnerable to alien invasion. There are many examples of introduced insect parasitoids having a serious impact on endemic butterflies and moths. In 2006, a population of parasitic wasps was reared from larvae of the Canary Island Large White butterfly (Pieris cheiranthi), an endemic inhabitant of laurel forests unique to the Canary Islands of Macaronesia. Parasitoids were tentatively identified as Cotesia glomerata (Braconidae, Hymenoptera), a widely introduced agricultural bioagent. To corroborate this finding we sequenced 632 bp of mitochondrial cox1 from parasitoids and hosts from La Palma and from the native range of C. glomerata in continental Europe. These were combined with GenBank sequences and a character-based, phylogenetic approach was used to assess the species status of parasites and hosts. The La Palma parasitoid could unambiguously be assigned to C. glomerata under the criterion of diagnosibility with corroboration from multiple lines of evidence (DNA, morphology). We suggest that this opportunistic, non-native parasitoid wasp will be a threat to P. cheiranthi and other endemic Canarian butterflies. Parasitoid populations were recorded from P. cheiranthi in marginal forest habitats but not in central forest areas, suggesting that comprehensive habitat conservation of the Canarian laurel forests could prevent penetration of the alien parasitoid wasps and subsequent mortality of endemic butterfly populations.

Biological Control Options for the Golden Twin-Spot Moth, Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esper) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Banana Crops of the Canary Islands

“…: Pieridae), such as P. brassicae L. and P. rapae L., which are important pests of cabbage crops ( Brassica oleracea L.) [ 51 ]. However, this larval parasitoid has been described as an invasive species in La Palma attacking the large, white butterfly Pieris cheiranthi Hübner 1808, an endemic species closely associated with the local endemic ecosystems of relicts of the laurel forests [ 52 ].…”

Contribution of integrative taxonomy to tracking interspecific hybridisations between the biological control agent Torymus sinensis and its related taxa

“…Regarding the control of the targeted pests, this strategy has shown variable outcomes, ranging from undeniable successes to more mitigated results or even patent failures (Cock et al ., 2010). In some rare cases, unintended effects on non‐target species were in parallel observed (Lozan et al ., 2008). The biological control agent identified for ClBC against D. kuriphilus was the larval parasitoid Torymus sinensis Kamijo (Hymenoptera, Torymidae).…”