Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Psytallia sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae); a Parasitoid of the Peach Fruit Fly Bactrocera zonata (Diptera: Tephritidae), in Sudan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15377/2409-9813.2026.13.7Keywords:
COI gene, Psytallia sp., Biological control, Bactrocera zonata, Fruit fly parasitoidAbstract
The fruit fly Bactrocera zonata (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a serious pest of horticultural crops that causes severe losses to the production and affects adversely economic and hindered exportation. Different species of parasitoids were found very effective in controlling fruit flies in biological control programs. This study was carried out to characterize morphologically and molecularly Psyttalia sp a parasitoid reared out from B. zonata in Sudan. The parasitoid was morphologically identified up to the genus level using specific key. Molecular analysis using quantified and amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. As primer gave 700 bp DNA fragment for test Psyttalia species. Absence of Psyttalia species from the entomological records of Insect Collection Unit, Agricultural Research Corporation points to the recent introduction of the wasps and necessity for more surveys of the native and introduced wasp parasitoid species in Sudan.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Manal H. Elbashir, Sumaia M. Abukashawa, Mohamed E. E. Mahmoud
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