Chrysomelobia

Regenfuss, 1968

Chrysomelobia is a of sexually transmitted parasitic in the Podapolipidae that infest . The genus was originally described from the Americas, Europe and Africa, and was later expanded to include Australian following the synonymization of Parobia. These mites complete their entire on beetles and do not infest stages.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Chrysomelobia: //ˌkɹaɪsoʊˌmɛˈloʊbiə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

females are typically found on the abdominal of , sometimes also on the where they do not feed. are laid on the upper surfaces of the hind of hosts. feed at the base of the wings and in the meso-metathoracic crevice, swelling to approximately twice their original length before becoming inactive adults cemented to the undersurfaces of the .

Distribution

Americas, Europe, Africa, and Australia (following inclusion of former Parobia ). Specific species such as C. labidomerae occur in Mexico and North America.

Diet

females feed on the abdominal of . feed at the base of the host's and in the meso-metathoracic crevice.

Host Associations

  • Chrysomelidae - PARASITE_OFPrimary ; most are host-specific within this family
  • Labidomera clivicollis - PARASITE_OF of C. labidomerae;
  • Leptinotarsa decemlineata - PARASITE_OF of C. labidomerae;
  • Paropsis porosa - PARASITE_OF of C. aquariolus, C. orthagoriscus, and C. cubile
  • Dicranosterna pedestris - PARASITE_OF of C. lipsettae
  • Paropsisterna nobilitata - PARASITE_OF of C. captivus
  • Paropsis charybdis - PARASITE_OF of C. pagurus
  • Trachymela spp. - PARASITE_OF of C. nahrungae, C. vafer, and C. verecundus

Life Cycle

hatch in approximately 7 days. Larval lasts approximately 7 days; feed and swell to about twice their original length, then become inactive for the second half of this period. The pharate adult is enclosed in a cuticular sac that may represent a calyptostatic nymphal . Adult males accompany inactive female larvae and apparently copulate with newly emerged adult females. overwinter on diapausing adult and do not infest stages of their . The is .

Behavior

Females disperse from to host when copulate, making this a sexually transmitted . males remain with inactive female and copulate upon female . Larvae become cemented to the undersurfaces of host during the adult stage.

Human Relevance

C. labidomerae has been investigated for potential of the (), a major agricultural pest. However, even at high levels, the do not noticeably affect longevity or , limiting their effectiveness as a control agent.

Similar Taxa

  • ParobiaSynonymized with Chrysomelobia; formerly recognized as a distinct parasitizing Australian Paropsini , but phylogenetic analysis showed C. mahunkai nested within this group, leading to synonymization under priority of Chrysomelobia

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