First Record of Parasitoid, Psyttalia fletcheri (Silvestri, 1916) Reared from Fruit Fly Infested Cucurbits in Nepal

Abstract

The parasitoid, Psyttalia fletcheri (Silvestri, 1916) [Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Opiinae] is known for parasitizing tephritid fruit flies. Fruit fly infested cucurbit flowers and fruits (365 samples) were collected from cucurbit growing regions of the terai and mid-hills of Nepal and cultured separately in plastic containers. A parasitoid, P. fletcheri emerged from 27 samples. The parasitoid was identified after detailed morphological examination and molecular analysis. This is the first report of P. fletcheri from Nepal. This parasitoid has potential for inclusion in integrated pest management targeting fruit fly in cucurbit crops.