European Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences,Vol.2, No.

2, 2014
ISSN 2052-2789 (Print)
ISSN 2053-3780(Online), ISSN-L 2053-3772

Spalangia drosophilae ASHMEAD (HYMENOPTERA: PTEROMALIDAE)

COLLECTED IN THE SOUTH AND CENTRAL REGIONS GOIS, BRAZIL
Carlos Henrique Marchiori (Corresponding Author), Instituto Federal Goiano/
Universidade Federal de Gois/ Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Sade Pblica Goinia Gois Brasil. E-mail: chmarchiori@yahoo.com.br
Lgia Miranda Ferreira Borges, Universidade Federal de Gois/ Instituto de Patologia
Tropical e Sade Pblica, Goinia - Gois Brasil. E-mail: borges.ligia@gmail.com
Cite this Paper: Marchiori, C. H. & Borges, L. M. F. (2014). Spalangia drosophilae
Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Collected in the South and Central Regions Gois,
Brazil. European Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 2(2), 1-6.
ABSTRACT
Considering the importance of dipterous insects for public health, as vectors of diseasecausing agents, it is essential to conduct surveys on these natural enemies to aid in adequate
control of dipterous insects through integrated control methods. Spalangia drosophilae
Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is cited in the literature as parasitoid pupae of small
dipterous families Chloropidae, Drosophilidae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae and Sepsidae. The
objective of the present study was to extend the knowledge of the biology of the parasitoid
Spalangia drosophilae Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in Brazil. The pupae were
obtained using the flotation method. They were individually placed in gelatin capsules until
the emergence of adult dipterous insects or their parasitoids. Cyrtoneurina pararescita Couri
(Diptera: Muscidae) was the species with the highest percentage parasitism, with 33.3%.
Among the hosts collected, the importance of the species Musca domestica L. (Diptera:
Muscidae) has to be emphasized. The total percentage parasitism was 2.9%. Because of the
multiplicity of environments that the parasitoid S. drosophilae exploits and the number of
hosts that this species parasitizes, it has a promising place in control programs in Brazil.
Keywords: Himenopterous. Dipterous. Substrates. Medical and veterinary importance.
INTRODUCTION
All species of Chalcididae behave as parasitoids and most attack Lepidoptera, Diptera,
Hymenoptera and Coleoptera. Chalcididae are cosmopolitan insects with high diversity in the
tropics (Gauld & Bolton 1988) and include approximately 1500 species. They are
predominantly solitary endoparasitoids (Gauld & Bolton 1988).
The Pteromalidae are one of the biggest families of the superfamily Chalcidoidea, with
approximately 3100 species. They may be solitary or gregarious, ectoparasitoids or
endoparasitoids, primary or secondary parasitoids, or even predators. Most of them develop
as solitary or gregarious ectoparasitoids in the larvae or pupae of Diptera, Coleoptera,
Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera or Siphonaptera (Gauld & Bolton 1988; Hanson & Gauld, 1995)
The genus Spalangia (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) comprises pupal parasitoids associated
with flies of the families Muscidae, Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Drosophilidae,
Chloropidae, Sepsidae and others (Marchiori & Linhares, 1999; Marchiori et al., 2001;

Mary & Sam Research Academia, UK

www.marynsam.co

European Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences,Vol.2, No. 2, 2014

ISSN 2052-2789 (Print)
ISSN 2053-3780(Online), ISSN-L 2053-3772

Marchiori et al., 2004; Marchiori, 2013; Marchiori et al., 2013; Marchiori, 2014; Marchiori
et al., 2014).
Spalangia drosophilae Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is cited in the literature as a
parasitoid of pupae of small dipterous insects of the families Chloropidae, Drosophilidae,
Muscidae, Sarcophagidae and Sepsidae (Marchiori et al., 2001; Marchiori, 2002; Marchiori
et al., 2002).

Figure 1: General appearance of the parasitoid S. drosophilae.

Source: blogs.scientificamerican.com
The objective of the present study was to extend the knowledge of the biology of the
parasitoid Spalangia drosophilae in Brazil.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Experiments performed with the hosts of the parasitoid S. drosophilae collected in south and
central region of Gois, Brazil, was conducted from January 1998 to February 2014.
Experiment with Cattle Dung and Buffalo dung.
Every fortnight, 10 plates of fecal cake (of approximately 3 kg each) were produced from
fresh bovine feces that were collected immediately after defecation in pastures of Brachiaria
brizantha (Hochst ex. A. Rich) and in corrals. The material was collected in plastic buckets
and was homogenized. It was then placed in 10 round plastic supports of 20 cm in diameter,
with a hole to allow rainwater to drain away. This methodology was used for precise
determination of the time between the emission of the fecal cake and its collection. The feces
remained exposed (five in the pastures and five in the corrals) for 15 days. After this period,
the feces were taken to the laboratory for extraction of pupae by means of the flotation

Mary & Sam Research Academia, UK

www.marynsam.co

European Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences,Vol.2, No. 2, 2014

ISSN 2052-2789 (Print)
ISSN 2053-3780(Online), ISSN-L 2053-3772

method. The pupae were removed with the aid of a sieve; they were counted and individually
stored in gelatin capsules (number 00) until the dipterous and/or parasitoids emerged. The
parasitoids and dipterous that emerged were identified with the aid of a stereoscopic
microscope and were conserved in 70% alcohol.
Experiment with Human Feces, Cattle Kidneys, Cattle Liver and Fish.
The dipterous were collected by using traps, made of dark cans measuring 19 cm in height
and 9 cm in diameter, with two openings resembling blinders, located in the lowest third of
the can, to allow dipterous to enter. The top of the can was connected to a nylon funnel that
was open at both ends, with the base pointing down. This was wrapped in plastic bags, so that
when they were removed, the dipterous and parasitoids could be collected. The following
items were used as baits: human feces, cattle kidneys, cattle liver and fish which were placed
inside the cans, over a layer of earth. Four traps were used and they were hung on trees at a
height of one meter above the ground, two meters apart from each other. The insects collected
were taken to the laboratory, sacrificed with ethyl ether and kept in 70% alcohol for further
identification. To obtain the parasitoids, the contents of the traps were placed in plastic
containers with a layer of sand for use as a substrate for transformation of the larvae into
pupae. This sand was sifted after being in the fields for 15 days and the pupae were extracted
from it and were individually placed in gelatin capsules (number 00) in order to obtain the
dipterous and/or parasitoids.
Experiment with Manure Chicken
The feces collected originated from 40 Hyline chickens that were reared in a cage system.
The feces that accumulated under the cages varied in terms of moisture content, ranging from
pasty to firm. Fresh feces (pasty), which were collected immediately after emission, were
placed in five basins of 30 cm in diameter and 12 cm in height, and were left in an
appropriate environment, in a dry location, for 15 days. For extraction of the pupae using the
floatation method, the routine procedures for this type of experiment were modified. The
parasitoids and dipterous that emerged were identified with the aid of a stereoscopic
microscope.
Percentage of Parasitism
The total percentage parasitism was calculated by means of the number of pupae parasitized,
divided by the total number of pupae collected, and multiplied by 100. The percentage
parasitism of each parasitoid species was calculated by means of the number of pupae
parasitized per species of parasitoid, divided by the total number of pupae from that host, and
multiplied by 100.
RESULTS

Between January 1998 and February 2013, 11,969 pupae of Diptera were collected, of which
350 were found to be parasitized by the parasitoid S. drosophilae. The total percentage
parasitism observed was 2.9% (Table 1).

Mary & Sam Research Academia, UK

www.marynsam.co

European Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences,Vol.2, No. 2, 2014

ISSN 2052-2789 (Print)
ISSN 2053-3780(Online), ISSN-L 2053-3772

Table 1 - Hosts of parasitoid Spalangia drosophilae Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

collected in the south region and central region Gois, Brazil, from January 1998 to February
2014, Brazil.
Number of
Number of individuals
Percentage
Taxonomic Group
dipterous
Fanniidae:
0.3
Fannia pusio

2316

08

Brontaea debilis

77

01

Brontaea quadristigma

265

03

Cyrtoneurina pararescita

21

07

Musca domestica

726

04

Oxysarcodexia thornax

363

18

Peckia chrysostoma

298

50

Sarcophagula occidua

3769

60

Archisepsis scabra

495

14

Palaeosepsis sp.

3639

183

Total:

11969

350

Muscidae:
1.3
1.1
33.3
0.6

Sarcophagidae:
5.0
16.7
1.6

Sepsidae:
2.8
5.0
-----

Cyrtoneurina pararescita Couri (Diptera: Muscidae) was the species with the highest
percentage parasitism with 33.3%, probably due to the seasonality factor presented by this
species or by its density (Table 1).
DISCUSSION
The percentage parasitism was probably influenced by variations in the quality and
availability of resources, and the host density.

Mary & Sam Research Academia, UK

www.marynsam.co

European Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences,Vol.2, No. 2, 2014

ISSN 2052-2789 (Print)
ISSN 2053-3780(Online), ISSN-L 2053-3772

The fact that S. drosophilae develops in several dipterous insects and substrates favors its
continuing presence in the environment, thereby enhancing its potential as a biological agent
keeper. Because of the multiplicity of environments that it exploits and the number of hosts
that this species parasitizes, it has a promising place in control programs in Brazil.
Experiments were designed to determine the criteria by which an ovipositing female of
Spalangia drosophilae is attracted to an environment where suitable hosts may be found, and
by which these hosts are selected. The results obtained indicate that ovipositing female
Spalangia are attracted to and maintained in areas where suitable host puparia may occur by
their reaction to sensory impressions (Simmonds, 1954). Thus females tend to be attracted to
dampness and to soil level where, in grasses, host material is likely to be found. In such an
area searching for hosts appears to be at random, but once an object that is a possible host is
located there follows a careful examination and, if the object is considered a suitable host,
oviposition follows. It appears that there are several definite criteria by which an object is
accepted as a host suitable for oviposition. In general the hosts selected by the parasite are
those which are suitable for the development of her progeny (Simmonds, 1954).
Four pupae of Oxysarcodexia thornax (Walker) (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) were
collected and, from each of them, 59 specimens emerged. Thus, superparasitism probably
occurred. This phenomenon is a category of parasitism in which several individuals of the
same species of parasitoid can develop in a single host (Parra et al., 2002).. This reproductive
strategy is probably used by parasitoids when the number of hosts is low. Among the hosts
collected, the importance of the species Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) has to be
emphasized. This species is of great sanitary importance due to its synanthropic
characteristics, abundance in urban areas, capacity to develop on several sorts of substrate,
high reproductive power and recognized role as a pathogenic mediator among humans and
animals (Marchiori et al., 2013).
Considering the importance of these dipterous insects for public health, as vectors of diseasecausing agents, it is essential to conduct surveys on these natural enemies to aid in adequate
control of dipterous insects through integrated control methods.
CONCLUSIONS
The total percentage parasitism observed was 2.9%. Cyrtoneurina pararescita was the
species with the highest percentage parasitism, with 33.3%. Among the hosts collected, the
importance of the species M. domestica has to be emphasized. Because of the multiplicity of
environments that the parasitoid S. drosophilae exploits and the number of hosts that this
species parasitizes, it has a promising place in control programs in Brazil.
REFERENCES
Gauld, I.D. & Bolton, B. (1988). The Hymenoptera. London: Oxford, University Press.
Hanson, P.E. & Gauld, I.D. (1995). The Hymenoptera of Costa Rica. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
Marchiori, C.H. & Linhares, A.X. (1999). Dpteros muscides associados a fezes frescas de
gado bovino e seus parasitides. Brazilian Journal of Ecology, 3, 26-31.
Marchiori, C.H., Oliveira, A.T., & Linhares, A.X. (2001). Artrpodes associados a massas
fecais bovinas no Sul do Estado de Gois. Neotropical Entomology, 30, 19-24.

Mary & Sam Research Academia, UK

www.marynsam.co

European Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences,Vol.2, No. 2, 2014

ISSN 2052-2789 (Print)
ISSN 2053-3780(Online), ISSN-L 2053-3772

Marchiori, C.H. (2002) Microhimenpteros parasitides de moscas em esterco bovino em

Cachoeira Dourada, Gois, Brasil. Entomologia Y Vectores, 3, 365:374.
Marchiori, C.H., Caldas, E.R. & Dias K.G.S. (2002). Parasitides de Diptera em fezes
bovinas em vrios tempos de exposio em Itumbiara, Gois, Brasil. Arquivos do
Instituto Biolgico, 69, 37-42.
Marchiori, C.H., Silva Filho, O.M., Milhomem, M.E.V. & Leles, A.S. (2004). Espcies de
Spalangia (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) coletadas em fezes de bfalos em Itumbiara,
Gois, Brasil. Biotemas, 17, 197-204.
Marchiori, C.H. (2013). Parasitoids of Diptera of importance to public health, medical,
veterinary and economic collected in two different types of traps in southern Gois,
Brazil. Mitteilungen Klosterneuburg, 62, 23- 28.
Marchiori, C.H., Borges, L.M.F. & Ferreira, L.L. (2013). Dipterous parasitoids collected
from cattle dung in Goinia, central Gois, Brazil. Journal Pense, 75, 418-426.
Marchiori, C.H. (2014). First occurrence of Neralsia splendens (Borgmeier) (Hymenoptera:
Figitidae) as parasitoids of Cyrtoneurina pararescita Couri (Diptera: Muscidae) in a
rural area in Brazil. Agricultural Science, 5, 84 86.
Marchiori, C.H., Borger, L.M.F & Ferreira, L.L. (2014). Parasitoids of dipterous collected in
cattle dung in the Regions Southern and Central of Gois, Brazil. Advance in
Entomology, 2, 2023.
Parra, J.R.P, Botelho, P.S.M, Corra-Ferreira, B.S. & Bento, J.M. (2002). Controle biolgico
no Brasil: parasitides e predadores. So Paulo: Manole.
Simmonds, F.J. (1954). Host Finding and Selection by Spalangia drosophilae Ashm..
Bulletin of Entomologicaesearch, 45, 527-537.

Mary & Sam Research Academia, UK

www.marynsam.co