Jaliscoa hunteri

Pepper crops (Capsicum annuum) in field and greenhouse environments; hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) nurseries; associated with fruit and flower buds where host weevil larvae develop.

North America; recorded from Hawaii.

Host feeding on larvae of Anthonomus eugenii (pepper weevil) and Anthonomus testaceosquamosus (hibiscus bud weevil); laboratory studies demonstrate preference for natural host over factitious host (Callosobruchus maculatus).

• Anthonomus eugenii - primary hostpepper weevil; L3 instar larvae most susceptible to parasitism
• Anthonomus testaceosquamosus - hosthibiscus bud weevil; host feeding observed, parasitism rarely observed
• Capsicum annuum - host plant of preypepper; cultivar Blaze specifically tested
• Hibiscus rosa-sinensis - host plant of preytropical hibiscus
• Callosobruchus maculatus - factitious hostcowpea seed beetle; accepted in laboratory rearing but less preferred than natural host

Strong attraction to volatiles emitted by pepper weevil-infested plants and fruit. Host feeding behavior suppresses weevil populations even when parasitism is rare. Parasitism efficacy requires 7-day exposure period for significant suppression; more effective against L3 than L1 weevil larvae. More effective in small fruit (71.7% suppression) than large fruit (62.5%), and in attached fruit than abscised fruit (additional 15.1% suppression). Functions primarily as predator through host feeding rather than as parasitoid against some hosts.

Biological control agent of economically important weevil pests in agricultural systems; reduces pepper weevil offspring emergence by up to 71.7% under controlled conditions.

Evaluated as biocontrol agent for pepper weevil in field and greenhouse pepper production, and for hibiscus bud weevil in tropical hibiscus nurseries. Shows particular promise for commercial greenhouse production where wasp retention rates can be maintained. Mass rearing on factitious hosts possible but results in reduced host preference compared to natural host.

• Catolaccus speciesFormerly classified in this genus; distinguished by morphological features of the mesosoma and propodeum as detailed in the 2013 revision.
• Other Jaliscoa speciesJ. grandis, J. nudipennis, J. bouceki, and J. vulgaris share genus; J. hunteri distinguished by specific morphological characters and host associations.

• parasitoid
• biological control
• agricultural pest management
• pepper weevil
• host feeding
• Hymenoptera
• Pteromalidae

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Discriminación del parasitoide Jaliscoa hunteri (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) sobre un huésped natural y uno facticio
• Host Feeding by Jaliscoa hunteri Crawford (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Suppresses Populations of Anthonomus testaceosquamosus Linell (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
• How plant and insect host characteristics affect pepper weevil Anthonomus eugenii parasitism efficacy by the pteromalid Jaliscoa hunteri
• Volatiles emitted by pepper weevil-infested plants and fruit strongly attract the pteromalid parasitoid Jaliscoa hunteri
• Revision of the species of Jaliscoa Bouček within a review of the identity, relationships and membership of Jaliscoa, Catolaccus Thomson, Eurydinoteloides Girault, Lyrcus Walker and Trimeromicrus Gahan (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)