First record of Barylypa rufa (Hölmgren 1857) as parasitoid on Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) from the Egyptian fauna

Abstract

Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda is a new pest that invaded Egyptian fields and has destroyed many economic crops, including maize, sorghum, and rice due to its voracious appetite. Natural enemies play a great role in controlling population densities of this pest, the parasitoid Barylypa rufa is a successful parasitoid on genus Spodoptera i.e. S. littoralis and S. exigua in nature. In this study, B. rufa was observed and recorded as a larval - pupal parasitoid on S. frugiperda for the first time from the Egyptian fauna. The present work also covers the diagnostic and recognition characteristics of B. rufa adults (head capsule, antenna, wings, legs, and abdomen). Ultimately, with this discovery of the parasitoid B. rufa as an important bio-control agent, which biologically participates in the suppression of FAW populations naturally under Egyptian conditions, its role in the Egyptian agricultural environment should be enhanced to contribute to the development of FAW control strategies.