| Aphytis | |
|---|---|
Scientific 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]
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]
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]
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]
| Authority control databases: National |
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