Eurytomidae (weed bioagents)
Eurytomidae (weed bioagents)
The wasp family Eurytomidae contains more than 1,000 species that live either as parasitoids or feed on plants. Some of the phytophagous species are crop pests (see the page on Eurytomidae as plant pests), while others are considered beneficial because they are specialised natural enemies of weeds. This page deals with the latter group. For example Tetramesa romana has been used against the weedy giant reed, Arundo donax in North America.
The adults have a typical length of 3-5 mm and an elongated body. Their colour is dark or black (not metallic) and the surface is strongly sculptured. The antennae have less than 13 segments. The larvae of plant feeding species tunnel in leaves and stems or form galls.
The following genera and species are currently entered as weed bioagents under this family:
