Ruolo dei parassitoidi oofagi nel controllo naturale dei fitofagi del nocciolo responsabili del “cimiciato delle nocciole” nel Parco dei Nebrodi (ME).

Abstract

Role of oophagous parasitoids in the natural control of hazelnut bugs inducing the “cimiciato seeds” in Nebrodi Park (ME) Oophagous parasitoids of bugs collected on hazelnut cultivations and seasonal parasitism on eggs of Gonocerus acutengulatus (Goeze) were studied from 2004 to 2006 in the Nebrodi Park (ME). Samples of bug eggs were collected in three altitude areas, 300-590, 600-890 and 900-1100 m above sea level, and examined in laboratory. Parasitoid adults obtained from all eggs were identified. Parasitization levels, detected on G. acuteangulatus in all areas showed a similar trend with the most value on August. Significant regression between the total number of eggs and the number of parasitized eggs was found (R2=0.75). Parasitoid species detected were Anastatus bifasciatus (Geoffroy), Gryon muscaeformis (Nees), Telenomus viggiani Mineo and other three species not yet identified.