Digonogastra

Viereck, 1912

Digonogastra is a of braconid wasps comprising approximately 260 described distributed across Afrotropical, Nearctic, and Neotropical regions. Members are idiobiont ectoparasitoids that attack larval stages of stalk-boring Lepidoptera, particularly pyralid and crambid borers in gramineous crops. The genus has documented significance as a agent for agricultural pests in sugarcane, maize, and sorghum systems.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Digonogastra: //dɪˌɡɒnoʊˈɡæstrə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Habitat

Sugarcane fields; maize and sorghum agroecosystems; gramineous plant environments.

Distribution

Afrotropical, Nearctic, and Neotropical regions. Documented from Brazil (Alagoas State), Mexico (Tabasco, Texas), and North America.

Host Associations

  • Diatraea flavipennella - larval First record in Brazil; 14.06% rate observed in sugarcane fields
  • Diatraea lineolata - larval New record for Tabasco, México
  • Diatraea grandiosella - larval Based on literature citations
  • Diatraea magnifactella - larval Based on literature citations
  • Diatraea considerata - larval Based on literature citations
  • Diatraea saccharalis - larval Based on literature citations
  • Eoreuma loftini - larval Documented in Texas and Mexico
  • Lepidoptera: Crambidae, Pyralidae, Prodoxidae, Psychidae - larval Larval based on literature (Baronio et al. 2012, Crabb & Pellmyr 2006, Yu et al. 2012, Quicke 1988)
  • Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Cerambycidae - larval Based on literature citations

Behavior

Idiobiont ectoparasitoid: paralyzes permanently and develops externally on the immobilized larva.

Ecological Role

agent for stalk-boring lepidopteran pests in gramineous crops; contributes to natural regulation of pest in sugarcane, maize, and sorghum agroecosystems.

Human Relevance

Potential for in sugarcane production; the 14.06% rate observed for D. flavipennella indicates significant natural suppression of this economically important pest.

Tags

Sources and further reading