Identity, abundance, and phenolgy of Anagrus spp. (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) and leafhoppers (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) associated with grape, blackberry, and wild rose in Washington State

Abstract

In 2001 and 2002, we monitored densities of western grape leafhopper, Erythroneura elegantula Osborn, and Virginia creeper leafhopper, Erythroneura ziczac Walsh (Homoptera: Cicadellidac), eggs from June through September in managed and nonmanaged vineyards in Washington state. Anagrus parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) were reared from sampled parasitized leaf-hopper eggs. Densities of nonparasitized and parasitized E. elegantula eggs, and nonparasitized E. ziczac eggs, were significantly higher in nonmanaged grapevines, although this pattern was not consistent for the latter two groups. Densities of parasitized E. ziczac eggs were consistently low across management regimes. Anagrus erythroneurae S. Trjapitzin & Chiappini, Anagrus daanei S. Triapitsyn, and Anagrus tretiakovae S. Triapitsyn emerged from parasitized E. elegantula eggs, whereas latter two mymarid species also parasitized E. ziczac eggs. Of these species, A. tretiakovae was the most common parasitoid of Erythroneura leafhopper eggs within sampled vineyards. From 2001-2003, we used yellow sticky traps to collect Anagrus wasps and potential leafhopper hosts from blackberry, grape, and wild rose sites, because these habitats might serve as refugia for the wasps. All three Anagrus species collected within vineyards and a fourth species, A. atomus L., were found on traps in these plant habitats. Several leafhopper taxa that could serve as potential alternative hosts for Anagrus spp. also were collected. Our collection of A. daanei, A. tretiakovae, and A. atomus in Washington represents range extensions for these species, revealing several novel candidate species for conservation. Because we consistently found Anagrus species of agricultural importance within rose and blackberry patches, cultivation of these plants close to vineyards may enhance colonization by Anagrus and thus improve grape leafhopper biocontrol.