Metaphycus helvolus (parasitoid)
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Author(s): Max E. Badgley (copyright holder)
Source: BugsInTheNews
Metaphycus helvolus (parasitoid) (Compere, 1926)
This wasp is native to South Africa, but has been widely introduced into other countries as a polyphagous endoparasitoid of soft scales (Bartlett et al., 1978). For example, it is regarded as an important parasitoid of the black scale (Saissetia oleae). However, it requires a mild winter. It is commercially available in some countries.
M. helvolus is a solitary endoparasitoid. The development can be completed within 2-3 weeks and there may be 4-5 generations per year. The adults survive for 2-3 months. The females feed on the hemolymph of scales and kill many in addition to the parasitised ones. The colouration is orange in females, but males are dark with filiform antennae.
Synonyms:
Aphycus helvolus
