Parasitoid Species Associated with Fruit Flies of the Genus Anastrepha (Diptera, Tephritidae) in Panama

The Panamanian fauna of Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae) have been studied since the beginning of the past century: first by the interest of a researcher, and in the two last decades by a program financed by the state. However, studies of the biological controllers of fruit flies are not common. The known species used as biological control are documented from specific samples in five provinces of the Republic of Panama, mainly in natural ecosystems. Thirteen parasitoid species of eight genera were recorded: Asobara anastrephae Muesebeck, Doryctobracon zeteki (Muesebeck), D. areolatus (Szépligeti), D. crawfordi (Viereck), D. capsicola (Muesebeck), D. auripennis (Muesebeck), D. trinidadensis Hoff, Diachasmimorpha longicaudata Ashmead, Opius bellus Gahan, Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brethés), Dicerataspis (Figitidae), Spilomicrus and Trichopria (Diapridae). These species were reared from larvae to pupae of Anastrepha obliqua Macquart, Anastrepha striata Schiner, Anastrepha ludens Loew, Anastrepha distincta Greene, Anastrepha acris Stone, Anastrepha serpentina Wiedemann, and Anastrepha anomala Stone. D. areolatus is the parasitoid species that attacked more fruit fly species and is considered one of the more abundant species. Based on these results, the natural forests of the Republic of Panama are the potential habitat for other biological controllers of fruit flies.