Aphytis (insect)

Aphytis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Aphelinidae
Tribe: Aphytini
Genus: Aphytis
Howard, 1900
Type species
Aphytis chilensis
Howard, 1900
Species
See text

Aphytis is a genus of chalcid wasps in the family Aphelinidae. There are about 130 species.[1]

Description[edit]

Adults of this genus are less than a millimetre in length. They are usually yellowish or grayish in colour, sometimes mottled. In each antenna, the funicle is usually 3-segmented while the clava is 1-segmented. The pronotum is divided. The propodeum is relatively long and bears crenulae. The forewing has a well-defined linea calva.[2]

Ecology[edit]

Aphytis are ectoparasitoids of armoured scale insects (Diaspididae).[2] Adult female wasps lay eggs under scale covers onto the bodies of scale insects, which hatch into larvae that feed on the scales until the point of death.[3] Adult wasps also feed on scales directly (host feeding).[3][4]

Biological control[edit]

Various Aphytis species are used for biological control of armoured scales. Of these, the most polyphagous and widespread is A. chrysomphali, which has been reared from over 50 hosts.[5] Other species used in biological control are A. melinus,[3] A. lingnanensis[6] and A. holoxanthus.[7]

Aphytis wasps can be harmed by pollutants in environments where they are used, such as insecticide residues[8] and dust.[9]

Species[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Aphytis - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  2. ^ a b "Introduction to Aphytis". www.faculty.ucr.edu. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  3. ^ a b c "Aphytis (Aphytis melinus) – Biological Services, Australia". www.biologicalservices.com.au. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  4. ^ Bellows, T.S.; Van Driesche, R.G. (1999), "Life Table Construction and Analysis for Evaluating Biological Control Agents", Handbook of Biological Control, Elsevier, pp. 199–223, doi:10.1016/b978-012257305-7/50055-2, ISBN 978-0-12-257305-7, retrieved 2023-07-03
  5. ^ CABI (2022-01-07). "Aphytis chrysomphali". CABI Compendium. CABI Compendium. doi:10.1079/cabicompendium.6611. ISSN 2958-3969.
  6. ^ "Aphytis | Bugs For Bugs". bugsforbugs.com.au. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  7. ^ CABI (2022-01-07). "Aphytis holoxanthus". CABI Compendium. CABI Compendium. doi:10.1079/cabicompendium.6621. ISSN 2958-3969.
  8. ^ Stauffer, Steve; Rose, Mike (1997), "Biological Control of Soft Scale Insects in Interior Plantscapes in the USA", World Crop Pests, vol. 7, Elsevier, pp. 183–205, doi:10.1016/s1572-4379(97)80083-8, ISBN 978-0-444-82843-9, retrieved 2023-07-03
  9. ^ Letourneau, D.K.; Altieri, M.A. (1999), "Environmental Management to Enhance Biological Control in Agroecosystems", Handbook of Biological Control, Elsevier, pp. 319–354, doi:10.1016/b978-012257305-7/50061-8, ISBN 978-0-12-257305-7, retrieved 2023-07-03
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