Two Native Anagrus spp. (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) Are Egg Parasitoids of the Invasive Two-Spot Cotton Leafhopper Amrasca biguttula (Ishida) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Florida, USA

TL;DR

Two native parasitoid wasps in Florida have been found to attack the invasive two-spot cotton leafhopper, which threatens crops like okra and cotton.

Contribution

Discovery of two native Anagrus species parasitizing the invasive Amrasca biguttula in Florida.

Findings

Five Anagrus parasitoids emerged from Amrasca biguttula eggs collected in Florida.

The parasitoids were identified as Anagrus vulneratus and Anagrus sp. near vulneratus.

These native wasps likely switched hosts to parasitize the invasive leafhopper.

Abstract

The two-spot cotton leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula (Ishida) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is a regulated invasive pest recently detected in Florida and other southeastern states, USA. This insect attacks staple crops, such as okra, cotton, eggplant, and tropical hibiscus. While collecting infested okra plants in Homestead, Florida, one female Anagrus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) parasitoid was collected using a brush, whereas five parasitoids emerged from Am. biguttula eggs. The parasitoids were identified morphologically and molecularly as Anagrus vulneratus and Anagrus sp. near vulneratus. These parasitoids are native to North America and likely switched from unknown local hosts in southern Florida to parasitize Am. biguttula eggs. Future research is warranted to evaluate the efficiency of both parasitoids as natural enemies of Am. biguttula.

The two-spot cotton leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula (Ishida) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), was recently detected in Florida and other southeastern states, USA. This is a quarantine pest of regulatory significance, since it can infest staple crops, such as okra, cotton, eggplant, and tropical hibiscus. While collecting infested okra plants in Homestead, Florida, five female Anagrus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) parasitoids emerged from eggs of Am. biguttula. The specimens were identified morphologically and molecularly by sequencing the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of nuclear ribosomal RNA. Two Anagrus species were identified: Anagrus vulneratus and Anagrus sp. near vulneratus. These parasitoids are not known to occur in the Old World, the origin of Am. biguttula. Rather, they are native to North America. The available evidence suggests that the collected specimens switched from unknown local hosts in southern Florida to parasitize eggs of the invasive Am. biguttula. Future research to ascertain the identity of A. sp. near vulneratus and evaluate the efficiency of both parasitoids as natural enemies of Am. biguttula is warranted.

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