D3067: A Braunsia species (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Agathidinae) from Korea has been confirmed as a natural enemy for Cydalima perspectalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Monday, November 11, 2024

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM MST

Location: Phoenix Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 6, PCC

Presenting Author(s)

SK

Soohyun Kim

Graduate student
Kyungpook National University
Sangju, Kyongsang-bukto, Republic of Korea

Co-Author(s)

JC

Jongbong Choi

Kyungpook National University
Sangju, Kyongsang-bukto, Republic of Korea
HH

Hwal-Su Hwang

PhD
Kyungpook National University
Daegu, Kyongsang-bukto, Republic of Korea
MK

Mark Kenis

Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International
Delemont, Jura, Switzerland
Lukas Seehausen

Research Scientist
Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International
Delemont, Jura, Switzerland
KL

Keyong-Yeoll Lee

Kyungpook National University
Daegu, Kyongsang-bukto, Republic of Korea
JC

Jin-Kyung Choi

Daegu National University of Education
Daegu, Taegu-jikhalsi, Republic of Korea
MS

Michael Sharkey

The Hymenoptera Institute
Redlands, California
IK

Ilgoo Kang (he/him/his)

Assistant Professor
Kyungpook National University
Sangju, Kyongsang-bukto, Republic of Korea

Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is an invasive species causing significant damage to ornamental and natural Buxus spp. in Europe and North America. Since natural enemies in Europe and North America are not yet effective to control the population of C. perspectalis, it is crucial to investigate potential classical biological control agents from its native East Asian habitat. In a survey conducted in Yeongwol, Gangwon-do, Korea from 2022 to 2024 to identify natural enemies of C. perspectalis, we discovered a braconid species in the subfamily Agathidinae, belonging to the genus Braunsia (Kriechbaumer, 1894). In a laboratory, we reared the larvae of C. perspectalis and confirmed the Braunsia sp. exhibits a parasitism rate of 34% during the 2024 survey. Preliminary biological data from laboratory rearing are included, accompanied by photographs. Additional detailed studies on its life history are required to assess its potential and effectiveness in biocontrol initiatives.