First record of Neocardiochiles (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) parasitising Stenoma decora Zeller, 1854 (Lepidoptera: Depressariidae), with description of a new species

Stenoma decora Zeller, 1854 (Lepidoptera: Depressariidae), is considered a pest of the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao L. (Malvaceae), causing direct losses by damaging the fruits. In this study, we searched for parasitoids of Stenoma decora. Caterpillars were obtained from fruits and stems in commercia...

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Published inBiocontrol science and technology Vol. 35; no. 9; pp. 1046 - 1054
Main Authors Santos Neta, Palmira, Shimbori, Eduardo, Leal, Ariane Morgana, Santos, Eliaber Barros, Silva, Ana Beatriz, Tchouckoua Nana, Hans Richie, Dias, Angélica, Fávaro, Carla F.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Abingdon Taylor & Francis 02.09.2025
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
Agricultural sciences
Animal biology
Biodiversity
Biological control
Braconidae
Cocoa
cocoa pest
Depressariidae
Fruits
Hymenoptera
Invertebrate Zoology
Lepidoptera
Life Sciences
Microbiology and Parasitology
Natural parasitoid
New species
Parasitoids
Parasitology
Sciences and technics of agriculture
Stenoma decora
Systematics, Phylogenetics and taxonomy
taxonomy
Theobroma cacao
biological control
taxonomy
cocoa pest
Natural parasitoid
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Summary:Stenoma decora Zeller, 1854 (Lepidoptera: Depressariidae), is considered a pest of the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao L. (Malvaceae), causing direct losses by damaging the fruits. In this study, we searched for parasitoids of Stenoma decora. Caterpillars were obtained from fruits and stems in commercial plantations of T. cacao in Mutuípe, Bahia, Brazil, and reared in laboratory. Here we describe the new species Neocardiochiles tropicalis sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) as a parasitoid of S. decora. Parasitised individuals can be readily identified, as the parasitoid kills the prepupa and produces a light-coloured silk cocoon in place of the host's dark, sclerotised pupal exuviae. This is the first species of the Neocardiochiles recorded in Brazil, and the southernmost record for the genus so far. The presence of this parasitoid in a commercial crop area provides an important context for biological control, representing a new perspective for the management of S. decora.
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ISSN:0958-3157
1360-0478
DOI:10.1080/09583157.2025.2541198