Jillian M. Chantos, jc32004@neo.tamu.edu, Texas A&M University, Entomology, Minnie Belle Heep Building Room 412, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX, Ken R. Helms, khelms@uvm.edu, University of Vermont, Department of Biology, Marsh Life Sciences, Burlington, VT, and S. Bradleigh Vinson, bvinson@tamu.edu, Texas A&M Univ, Dept. of Entomology, College Station, TX.
Antonina graminis is an invasive mealybug that is commonly found as a pest on rangeland grasses. Another invasive species, the ant Solenopsis invicta, tends A. graminis for honeydew secretions, and this honeydew appears important to the nutrition of S. invicta colonies. By conducting a survey in Texas ranging from Dallas in the north to Brownsville in the south, a record of parasitoids using Antonina graminis as a target host was created. Relative frequencies of each reared parasitoid could give insight into new biological control agents for A. graminis, therefore impacting S. invicta colonies by reducing an important source of carbohydrates.
Species 1: Hemiptera Pseudococcidae
Antonina graminis (Rhodesgrass mealybug)
Species 2: Hymenoptera Formicidae
Solenopsis invicta (red imported fire ant)
Keywords: Honeydew, Biological control
