Laura Varone

Biological Control Technician

Laura is working on the biology of Orasema simplex Heraty, a parasitoid of the imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) in northeastern Argentina. In Spring 2008, Laura visited the Heraty lab to sort out morphological differences with the group of Orasema attacking fire ants in southern South America. A combination of DNA studies (28S-D2 and ITS) have revealed a complex of species that occupy discrete geographic regions from Brasil to western Argentina. Laura has been able to resolve the behavioral aspects of oviposition in O. simplex, and also to artifically rear parasites through to adulthood on Solenopsis immatures.

Address: 

South American Biological Control Laboratory
USDA-ARS
Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
(5411) 4452-1882 ext. 110
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