title: The exotic wasp Megastigmus transvaalensis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae): first record and damage on the Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius drupes, in São Paulo, Brazil.
abstract: This paper records the first report of Megastigmus transvaalensis Hussey (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) in Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae) drupes in Sorocaba, state of São Paulo, Brazil. This wasp is an invasive species and was found damaging S. terebinthifolius drupes in urban areas (35.0 ± 15.8%), natural forests (21.5 ± 10.2%) and restoration areas (15.8 ± 8.4%). The bio-ecology and damage caused by M. transvaalensis in the S. terebinthifolius drupes warrants further study focused upon the management of this phytophagous wasp. Megastigmus transvaalensis has a potential to be disseminated throughout Brazil and is posing a threat to the natural regeneration of S. terebinthifolius in the native forests and restoration areas and ecological regions of this country.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Sorocaba, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Pedro J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Ferreira-Filho
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Sorocaba, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Fátima C M
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Piña-Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Sorocaba, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: José M S
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Umuarama, PR, Brasil.
authors.forename: Julio C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Guerreiro
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Sorocaba, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Thaís C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Ghiotto
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Sorocaba, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Ivonir
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Piotrowski
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Sorocaba, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Luiz P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Proteção Vegetal, Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Carlos F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Wilcken
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: José C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Zanuncio
mesh_terms: D027926:Anacardiaceae / Q000145:classification / Q000469:parasitology*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D014863:Wasps / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*