Natural Egg Parasitism by Scelionidae on a Phycitine Cactus Moth in Mexico.

The detection of native natural enemies that can use Cactoblastis cactorum as a host is relevant after its invasion of North America. We detected wasps (Scelionidae) parasitizing eggs of Melitara cf. junctolineella (a closely related cactus moth in the Phycitini) in Bustamante, Nuevo Leon, northeastern Mexico. This is the first report of Scelionidae parasitizing eggs of phycitine cactus moths. The capability of this wasp to parasitize C. cactorum eggs should be investigated. La detección de enemigos naturales nativos que pueden utilizar a Cactoblastis cactorum como hospedero, es relevante tras su invasión a Norteamérica. Detectamos avispas (Scelionidae) parasitando huevos de Melitara cf. junctolineella (una polilla del cactus en Phycitini estrechamente relacionada con C. cactorum) en Bustamante, Nuevo Leon, noreste de México. Este es el primer reporte de Scelionidae parasitando huevos de polillas del cactus (Phycitini). Debe investigarse la capaci-dad de esta avispa para parasitar los huevos de C. cactorum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]