Morphology, Genetics and Biology of Pterochloroides persicae Cholodkovsky (Hemiptera: Lachninae) and Their Effect on Pauesia antennata Mukerji (Hymenoptera: Aphidinae) Behaviour

Pauesia antennata Mukerji is a specific parasitoid of the brown peach aphid Pterochloroides persicae Cholodkovsky which causes severe damage on almond and peach in Tunisia. To control this pest, P. antennata was collected from Iran, introduced to Tunisia in 2011 and some of their biological parameters were studied in laboratory conditions. Therefore, in orchard, aphid population and sites/zones of Tunisia and aphid behaviour impact on the parasitoid have not been studied. Morphometric measurements, molecular analysis of P. persicae specimens collected from two Tunisian sites [(Akouda-Sousse (Site 1), Sfax (Site 2)] were studied and compared and aphid behaviour versus P. antennata was follow…