We conducted a review of published information on Tuta absoluta parasitoids for the Neotropical region to (1) corroborate species records, (2) analyze associations including the T. absoluta, other insect and plant hosts and (3) identify research directions for enhancing their use as biological control agents. The literature review shows more than 50 species or morphospecies of Hymenoptera associated with T. absoluta, but less than a half (23) could be confirmed as parasitizing T. absoluta. Erroneous reports or invalid names of species, two new species records were found. Over a 100 pests and non-economically important insect and cultivated and non-cultivated plants directly or indirectly interact with T. absoluta in the region. Four T. absoluta parasitoid species include in their host range predatory insects or act as hyperparasitoids, a negative feature considered for a biological control agent. Five larval parasitoids have a narrow host range and could be considered for classical biological control programs in the areas of new invasion. Six Trichogrammatidae species are commercially used in various countries; of those, T. minutum and T. pretiosum are considered to be moderately generalist, being able to exploit several insect hosts. Apart from Apanteles gelechiidivoris and Pseudapanteles dignus, other native species have been the subject of field studies as biological control agents. The review presented here provides useful insights for identifying species that deserve further evaluation as T. absoluta biological control agents through augmentative or conservation strategies in South America, as well as for potential classical biological control programs in other continents.
Keywords Taxonomy • Parasitoid ecology • South American tomato pinworm • Host range • Food webs
Key message• We provide a review of published records on Tuta absoluta parasitoids of the Neotropics. • From more than 50 parasitoid species or morphospecies reported, only 23 hymenopteran species were confirmed as T. absoluta natural enemies. • Other insect hosts, their host plants and the current knowledge on their potential as biological control agents were tracked. • The low number of available parasitoids and those thathave not yet been identified suggest that much work remains for optimizing the existing biological control services provided by T. absoluta parasitoids.Communicated by M. Traugott.SPECIAL ISSUE 2019: The South American tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta: recent advances in management methods against the background of an ongoing worldwide invasion.