An Egg parasitoid, Mirufens Girault (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) Reared from Oxyrachis tarandus Fab. Attacking on Cassia fistula L. (India)

Abstract

Cassia fistula L. is known as Golden shower or Amaltas has therapeutics importance in health care since ancient times. It shows a pivotal role in diseases prevention due to their valuable ingredients in different parts of plants. One of known hemipterous insect pest, attacking on this valuable tree is Oxyrachis tarandus Fab. (Hemiptera: Membracidae), its nymphs and adults feed gregariously on the sap of the shoot of host plant results in the stunting or death of the infested shoot. Oxyrachis tarandus population may be checked by some natural parasitoids. Mirufens Girault is one of important egg parasitoid recorded on this hemipterous insect pest, attacking on different host plants. In the present study, we are recorded egg parasitoid M. afrangiata from the eggs of Oxyrachis tarandus, infesting Cassia fistula plant for the first time. Re-described and illustrated two species of the genus Mirufens; M. afrangiata and M. brevifuniculata along with first male record of M. brevifuniculata. An updated key to the Indian species of Mirufens are also provided