The parasitoids of the African white rice borer,<i>Maliarpha separatella</i>Ragonot (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

Abstract A key is provided for the recognition of the hymenopterous parasitoids of the African white rice borer, Maliarpha separatella Ragonot, a pest of rice in Africa and Madagascar. Five species are described as new: Braconidae: Chelonus maudae Huddleston, Rhacanotus carinafus Polaszek; Ichneumonidae: Prisfomerus bullis Fitton, Prisfomerus caris Fitton, Venturia jordanae Fitton. The following synonyms are proposed: Goniozus indicus Muesebeck, G. natalensis Gordh and G. procerae Risbec are synonymized with Goniozus indicus Ashmead. Phanerotorna major Brues is synonymized with Phanerotoma saussurei Kohl. Lectotypes are designated for Goniozus procerae Risbec, Rhaconotus scirpophagae Wilkinson and Garouella ovicida Risbec. The known distributions, biologies and alternative hosts of each parasitoid are provided, and their use as biological control agents or components of integrated pest management programmes are discussed.