Sphecophaga vesparum (parasitoid)
| Literature database |
|---|
| 5 articles sorted by: |
| • year (recent ones first) |
| • research topics |
| • countries/regions |
| • list of pest species |
Author(s): Cintia Akemi Oi et al.
Source: Insects (2020), vol. 11, art. 268
Sphecophaga vesparum (parasitoid) (Curtis, 1828)
This species is an ectoparasitoid of vespid wasps like species of Vespula and Vespa. Its larvae feed externally on the freshly pupated host wasps and the adults emerge from their cocoons. S. vesparum has been successfully used in classical biological control programs against invasive Vespula species in New Zealand and Australia. It uses similar cuticular hydrocarbons as the host wasps, enabling it to overcome the defences of the host (Oi et al., 2020).
Males of S. vesparum are rare and mostly female wasps are produced. There are two adult forms of S. vesparum, large (length ≈ 5 mm), winged adults emerge from overwintering cocoons and smaller, brachypterous females emerge from summer cocoons. The latter start oviposition in the same nest soon after emergence. The winged forms emerge in spring and search for new nests.
