Caracterização morfológica e molecular de Campoletis Foerster, 1869 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae), parasitoides de Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)

Abstract

The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (SMITH, 1797) is a voracious pest of numerous crops of economic importance throughout the New World. In Brazil, their larvae can be attacked by several species of parasitic wasps, which are candidate to biological control agents against this pest. Surveying the parasitoid fauna on S. frugiperda in maize throughout Brazil two very morphological similar species of Campoletis are found. To ensure the efficiency of the biological control works, the knowledge about the taxonomy of the species related is necessary. Campoletis specimens emerged from Spodoptera frugiperda were studied mofologically and molecularly, in order to solve taxonomic problems among C. sonorensis (CAMERON, 1886) and C. flavicincta (ASHMEAD,1890). The samples came from three regions of Brazil: Santa Maria, RS; Ribeirão Preto, SP; Sete Lagoas, MG. Pictures from the type material of the two species were studied, besides the original descriptions of them. A possible sinonimy is indicated between the both species, for which the name C. sonorensis will be used based on the priority law for species names. A redescription is made to Campoletis sonorensis from Brazil, using morphological characters and DNA Barcoding.