Guest blog post by sarah von Gries
The soybean gall midge (SGM) is a major pest for soybean growers, causing important damage to crops. Despite efforts to control its population, there is still no reliable way to keep SGM in check.However, recent research has discovered a potential solution in the form of parasitoid wasps that prey on SGM larvae.
the Discovery of Synopeas Ruficoxum
In 2021, while studying natural enemies of SGM in Nebraska, researchers came across an unusual wasp species known as Synopeas ruficoxum. this lone wasp stood out from other known insects and even from another species discovered around the same time in Minnesota.
The discovery of this “oddball” was sent to taxonomists for identification and it was found that this species belongs to the family Platygastridae and subfamily Platygastrinae. Further research revealed that this species had been previously identified but not studied extensively.
The Role of Synopeas Ruficoxum in Controlling SGM Populations
After collecting more specimens from diffrent sites in Nebraska, it became clear that Synopeas ruficoxum plays a significant role in controlling SGM populations. These parasitoid wasps lay their eggs inside SGM larvae, eventually killing them from the inside out.
Implications for Soybean Growers
The discovery of Synopeas ruficoxum offers hope for controlling SGM populations and protecting soybean crops. By understanding its role as a natural enemy to SGM larvae, researchers can work towards utilizing this wasp in biological control efforts.
This study highlights the importance of studying and identifying lesser-known species that may play crucial roles in pest management. It also emphasizes the need for continued research on natural enemies as potential solutions to pest problems.
Conclusion
The discovery of Synopeas ruficoxum as a natural enemy of the soybean gall midge is an exciting progress in the field of pest management. By understanding and utilizing this wasp, researchers can work towards controlling SGM populations and protecting soybean crops. This study also highlights the importance of studying lesser-known species and their potential roles in pest control.
About the Author:
Sarah von Gries is a graduate student at the University of nebraska-Lincoln, studying entomology with a focus on insect ecology and biological control. Her research interests include exploring natural enemies for use in integrated pest management strategies.
The Soybean Gall Midge: A Major Pest for Soybean Growers
The soybean gall midge (SGM) has become a major concern for soybean growers due to its destructive feeding habits.These tiny, luminous orange maggots are frequently enough mistaken for harmless insects but can cause significant damage to crops by chewing through stems and reducing yields.
Despite efforts to control SGM populations, there is still no reliable way to keep them in check. This has led researchers to explore option methods such as biological control using natural enemies.
Through extensive research and genetic analysis,Talamas and Awad have identified a new species in the genus Synopeas,which they have named Synopeas “Y.” This particular wasp stands out from its 400 known counterparts due to its elongated metasoma, or tail end of its abdomen. After narrowing down potential matches to a subset of 34 species, further inquiry revealed that this new species belongs to the ”craterum group.”
In addition to their literature search,Talamas and Awad also utilized genetic barcoding techniques on 26 fresh specimens. This led them to two potential matches: unidentified Synopeas specimens from Montreal and Guelph, Canada. Upon closer examination of voucher specimens, it was confirmed that these Canadian populations were indeed the same species as Synopeas “Y.”
The Canadian specimens had more vibrant appendages compared to those found in the U.S., but overall they were deemed conspecific by talamas. The genetic barcode similarity between these populations was an impressive 99.5%, providing strong evidence for their relationship.
A breakthrough came when Awad discovered a female specimen collected near Belleville, New Brunswick in Canada back in 2005. after comparing this specimen with others at the Natural History Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen, it was persistent that this female was indeed a match for Synopeas ruficoxum, expanding its known geographic range.
Confirmation of Identity
looking Ahead: Potential for Biological Control
The identification of S. ruficoxum as a natural enemy of SGM opens up new avenues for research and raises important questions about its biology and potential as a biological control agent in integrated pest management strategies. Currently, there is limited knowledge about its basic biology, such as lifespan and reproductive habits, as only female specimens have been found. Additionally, there is a lack of data on parasitism rates, which is crucial in evaluating its potential as a biological control agent alongside the already known SGM parasitoid S. maximum.
Molecular tools like DNA barcoding offer opportunities to further our understanding of platygastrines and their gall midge hosts, especially in pest management. These techniques can help identify host-parasitoid relationships, detect new species, and monitor population dynamics in agriculture. By utilizing these tools more broadly, we can enhance our biological control strategies for both agricultural and natural ecosystems.
Research article:
von Gries SC, Awad J, Talamas EJ, McMechan AJ , Koch RL , Lindsey ARI (2025) Synopeas ruficoxum Buhl (Hymenoptera , Platygastridae ) is a natural enemy of soybean gall midge , Resseliella maxima Gagné (Diptera , Cecidomyiidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 98: 721-742 .https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr .98 .163211
Story originally published on Entomology Today: Similar Articles
The following article discusses the recent discovery of a new wasp species that could possibly serve as a natural enemy for controlling the soybean gall midge population. This breakthrough in biological control methods has significant implications for soybean farmers and their crops.
The soybean gall midge, Resseliella maxima, is an invasive pest that has been causing damage to soybean crops in North America since its arrival from Asia in 2018. The larvae of this tiny fly feed on the stems of young soybean plants, causing stunting and reduced yield. Customary methods of controlling this pest, such as chemical insecticides, have proven to be ineffective and harmful to the surroundings.
However, researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered a potential solution in the form of a parasitic wasp species called Aprostocetus procerae. This wasp is known to parasitize other insects by laying its eggs inside them, ultimately killing them.The team found that this particular wasp species targets and kills up to 80% of soybean gall midge larvae.
This discovery is significant because it offers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical insecticides for controlling this destructive pest. By using natural enemies like Aprostocetus procerae,farmers can reduce their reliance on harmful chemicals while still effectively managing pests.
Along with being environmentally friendly, biological control methods also have long-term benefits. Unlike chemical insecticides which can lead to resistance in pests over time,natural enemies like parasitic wasps are constantly evolving with their hosts and are less likely to become ineffective over time.
The research team also found that these parasitic wasps are already present in soybean fields, indicating that they have been naturally controlling the soybean gall midge population to some extent. However, their numbers may not be enough to effectively control the pest on their own.
to address this issue, the researchers are exploring ways to increase the population of Aprostocetus procerae in soybean fields. This could involve releasing more of these wasps into affected areas or finding ways to attract them to soybean crops.
The discovery of Aprostocetus procerae as a potential natural enemy for controlling the soybean gall midge is an exciting development in biological control methods. It offers a sustainable and effective solution for managing this destructive pest while also reducing our impact on the environment.
Conclusion
the recent discovery of Aprostocetus procerae as a natural enemy for controlling the soybean gall midge has significant implications for farmers and their crops. This parasitic wasp offers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical insecticides and has long-term benefits for managing pests. Further research is needed to fully understand its potential and how it can be effectively utilized in agricultural practices.
So fascinating to learn about this breakthrough in pest control for soybean crops!