Tachinid (Diptera) parasitoids of Hyphantria cunea (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) in its native North America and in Europe and Asia – a literature review

Abstract

The polyphagous pest fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury), from North America has invaded at least 20 European, 2 Eurasian (Russia and Turkey) and 10 Asian countries since 1940. At least 54 species of tachinids (Diptera: Tachinidae) from 3 subfamilies, 10 tribes and 30 genera parasitise it. Forty six (85%) of the species are from the subfamily Exoristinae, and 17, 12 and 10 species are from 3 of its tribes, Goniini, Eryciini and Exoristini, respectively. Twenty eight of the 54 species are from 7 of the 30 genera: Exorista Meigen (7), Panzeria Robineau-Desvoidy (4), Blondelia Robineau-Desvoidy (4), Carcelia Robineau-Desvoidy (4), Hyphantrophaga Townsend (3), Lespesia Robineau-Desvoidy (3) and Zenillia Robineau-Desvoidy (3). The majority of the 30 genera either deposit microtype eggs that are consumed by the host or oviposit on the host.