Native parasitoids attack Amrasca biguttula eggs

Two native parasitoids have begun attacking leafhopper eggs. Amrasca biguttula in Florida, United States. The sighting occurred in an okra field in Homestead. The species Anagrus vulneratus e Anagrus sp. near vulneratus They emerged from the eggs of the invasive pest. The finding indicates potential for biological control.

Amrasca biguttula It is listed as a quarantine pest in the United States. The insect infests crops such as cotton, okra, eggplant, sunflower, and hibiscus. Nymphs and adults suck sap from the underside of leaves. The attack causes yellowing, curling, and marginal necrosis. In cotton, losses range from 19% to 49%. In okra, losses reach 50%.

Authorities detected the species in Florida in December 2024. The plague spread through the Caribbean and southeastern US. Hibiscus nurseries under infestation received a trade ban order.

Females emerged

Researchers collected infested okra leaves in September and October 2025 at the University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center. Five female okra plants were found. Anagrus emerged from eggs of Amrasca biguttulaThe team performed morphological and molecular identification. The analyses included sequencing of the COI and ITS2 markers.

Four specimens corresponded to Anagrus vulneratusOne copy corresponded to Anagrus sp. near vulneratusBoth species belong to the complex Anagrus epos. Both occur in North America. There is no record of these species in the Old World, the origin of the leafhopper.

Host switching

The data indicate a change of host. The wasps were possibly exploiting native leafhoppers of the genus. DustThe abundance of eggs of Amrasca biguttula This may have facilitated the transition.

The literature points to egg parasitoids as the main natural enemies of Amrasca biguttulaSpecies of the genus Anagrus They attack eggs embedded in the veins of the leaves. This action reduces the population growth of the pest.

The authors recommend further studies. The team intends to measure parasitism rates and compatibility with integrated management programs. The work also highlights limitations of public DNA databases in identifying Mymaridae.

More information at doi.org/10.3390/insects17030269