by Sarah von Gries, Entomology Graduate Student, Amelia Lindsey, Associate Entomology Professor, Robert Koch, Professor & Extension Entomologist
Our exploration into the natural enemies of soybean gall midge (SGM) led to the discovery of a second species of parasitic wasp attacking (parasitizing) this pest in soybean fields. We recently published a scientific paper documenting this wasp, called Synopeas ruficoxum, from SGM infestations in several locations in Nebraska and confirming that it indeed parasitizes SGM. The research that led to this discovery was a continuation of earlier work that resulted in discovery of the first species of parasitic wasp, Synopeas maximum, known to parasitize SGM.
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| Image 1: Close up of adult wasp (Synopeas ruficoxum) (photo credit: Elijah Talamas), and inset image showingS. ruficoxum and soybean gall midge larva near the year of a penny for size reference (photo credit: Sarah von Gries). |
As with the previously identified wasp, we believe that S. ruficoxum parasitizes immature SGM, with the wasps laying their eggs into eggs or larvae of SGM. The immature wasps then consume the SGM larvae from the inside out.
The “ruficoxum” part of the new wasp’s name describes the color of the wasp’s leg with “rufi-“ meaning “red” (really a lighter brown) and “coxum” referring to a part of the leg.
Beyond the wasps collected from SGM-infested soybean fields, S. ruficoxum has previously only been found three times before, all of which were in Canada. Surprisingly, it remains unknown what species of gall midges these wasps were parasitizing in Canada. This may suggest that SGM is more widespread than just the Midwest US or that this wasp has another insect species that it parasitizes.
Our team is currently examining how parasitism rates of SGM by S. ruficoxum and S. maximum vary across multiple Midwest states. To date, we have found both of these species of wasps in soybean fields in Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. Our goal is to deepen our understanding of the parasitoids targeting SGM, with the aim of conserving these beneficial insects to enhance natural pest control of this pest.
Additional collaborators on this research were Jessica Awad (Naturalis Biodiversity Center), Elijah Talamas (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services), and Anthony McMechan (Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension, and Education Center). This research was supported by Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).
The “ruficoxum” part of the new wasp’s name describes the color of the wasp’s leg with “rufi-“ meaning “red” (really a lighter brown) and “coxum” referring to a part of the leg.
Beyond the wasps collected from SGM-infested soybean fields, S. ruficoxum has previously only been found three times before, all of which were in Canada. Surprisingly, it remains unknown what species of gall midges these wasps were parasitizing in Canada. This may suggest that SGM is more widespread than just the Midwest US or that this wasp has another insect species that it parasitizes.
Our team is currently examining how parasitism rates of SGM by S. ruficoxum and S. maximum vary across multiple Midwest states. To date, we have found both of these species of wasps in soybean fields in Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. Our goal is to deepen our understanding of the parasitoids targeting SGM, with the aim of conserving these beneficial insects to enhance natural pest control of this pest.
Additional collaborators on this research were Jessica Awad (Naturalis Biodiversity Center), Elijah Talamas (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services), and Anthony McMechan (Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension, and Education Center). This research was supported by Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).
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