The parasitoid complex of Liriomyza huidobrensis in cucumber greenhouses in Izmir Province, western Turkey

Abstract

Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) is an important pest in cucumber greenhouses in Camonu (Mendcres, Izmir), Turkey. In a study carried out in cucumber greenhouses during the spring and autumn seasons of 1999 and 2000, leaves were sampled weekly and kept in the laboratory to observe and count emerging leafminers and parasitoid adults. Five parasitoid species were collected: the braconids Bracon intercessor Nees von Esenbeck and Opius meracus Fischer, which occurred only in the spring; and the eulophids Diglyphus crassinervis Erdos, Diglyphus isaea (Walker) and Neochlysocharis formosa (Westwood), which occurred in both the spring and autumn seasons. D. isaea and N. formosa were the predominant parasitoid species found. O. meracus was recorded for the first time as a Turkish species and B. intercessor was recorded for the first time in L huidobrensis.