Synoptic catalogue of insect parasitoids associated with Lixinae (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea: Curculionidae)

Abstract

The first host-parasitoid catalogue for Lixinae is presented. This survey is based on literature search (~300 references) and followed by two parts, firstly one of the Lixinae, and secondly one of parasitoids with distinguishing numbers of their Lixine hosts. There are at least 221 species recorded as parasitoids on 108 lixine species. Records on 12 host-parasitoid associations seem to be questable or based on misidentifications. Most common hosts are species of two genera: Lixus (112 parasitoid species) and Larinus (43). All actually known parasitoids of Lixinae are dipterans (belonging to three families) and hymenopterans (15 families). The latter listed as parasitoids of no less than 102 lixine species (94.4%) and 22 hosts (19.4%) associated with Diptera. Six lixine species associated with dipterans only. Most common parasitoids are braconids. Four parasitoid species have the most extensive list of the hosts: Exeristes roborator (at least 29 host species), Cerceris tuberculata (12), Bracon urinator (11) and Zeuxia cinerea (10). Parasitoid complex of some hosts can include more than 10 (to 44!) species. Information contained in catalogue will be helpful for programs of effective biological control of economic important pests and weeds.