Elucidating the geographic origins of a Wasmannia parasitoid wasp, Orasema minutissima (Chalcidoidea: Eucharitidae), in Hawai'i

The first record of the parasitoid wasp Orasema minutissima (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eucharitidae: Oraseminae) was first found on the island of Hawai’i in 2019, likely as an accidental introduction. The species is now well established across the island. Originally from northern regions in South America and the Caribbean, O. minutissima parasitizes the massively invasive Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata). As W. auropunctata is among the most destructive and pervasive invasive species, particularly on the Hawaiian islands, the establishment of O. minutissima could prove to be beneficial as a biological control agent. One major emphasis is determining the origin of the wasp in Hawai'i and also whether multiple invasions of Wasmannia are involved. Utilizing samples of both W. auropunctata and O. minutissima from Dominica, Trinidad, Florida and Hawai'i, we will use RADseq and COI and ITS2 sequencing to determine variations between the various W. auropunctata and O. minutissima populations to investigate both of their geographic origins.