Stenomesius japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae): a new parasitoid of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Syria

Abstract

Stenomesius japonicus (Ashmead, 1904) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) was collected for the first time from larvae of the tomato leaf-miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) infesting Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. in Syria. Diagnostic morphological characters, biology and distribution of the newly recorded species are provided. Its role in the biological or integrated control of T. absoluta remains to be evaluated. A list of all eulophid wasps recorded from Syria is also provided.