Parasetigena
Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1891
Species Guides
1Parasetigena is a of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) containing at least two described : P. silvestris and P. takaoi. Species in this genus are larval , with P. silvestris documented as a specialized parasitoid of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) larvae. These flies contribute to natural of forest lepidopteran pests. The genus has been recorded from northern Europe (Denmark, Norway, Sweden) and is associated with woodland where larvae occur.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Parasetigena: //ˌpærəˈsɛtɪdʒɪnə//
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Habitat
Forest and woodland environments where gypsy moth larvae occur; females of P. silvestris search for primarily on upper leaf surfaces in the lower crown of host trees, preferring partially shaded conditions with moderate light intensity
Distribution
Northern Europe: recorded from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden (GBIF); P. silvestris studied in Connecticut woodlands (USA) and Canada in relation to gypsy moth
Host Associations
- Lymantria dispar - larval primary for P. silvestris; attacks larval stage
Life Cycle
Larval : deposited on or near larvae; parasitoid larvae develop internally within host; as flies
Behavior
Females exhibit selective oviposition influenced by characteristics; attack varies with host and host defensive behavior; area-restricted searching increases after host encounter; searching activity concentrated on upper leaf surfaces with avoidance of direct sunlight and deep shade; (multiple per host) has been observed, with eggs aggregated on certain hosts rather than randomly distributed
Ecological Role
agent of gypsy moth ; contributes to mortality of Lymantria dispar larvae in forest ; and mortality increase with , though individual parasitoid survival and size decrease with increasing load
Human Relevance
Studied as a natural enemy for of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), a significant forest pest in North America; sampling methods using burlap bands may underestimate impact due to altered patterns
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Attack Behavior of Parasetigena silvestris in Relation to Host Density and Behavior
- Host-Related Microhabitat Preferences of the Gypsy Moth1 Larval Parasitoid, Parasetigena agilis2
- Host Habitat Influences on Oviposition by Parasetigena silvestris (R-D), 1 a Larval Parasite of the Gypsy Moth 23
- Diel Periodicity and Host Selection, as Measured by Ovipositional Behavior, of the Gypsy Moth Parasite, Parasetigena silvestris , in Connecticut Woodlands
- SUPERPARASITISM OF GYPSY MOTH, LYMANTRIA DISPAR (L.) (LEPIDOPTERA: LYMANTRIIDAE), LARVAE BY PARASETIGENA SILVESTRIS (ROBINEAU-DESVOIDY) (DBPTERA: TACHINIAE)
- Phenology of Parasetigena silvestris (Diptera: Tachinidae), gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) larval parasitoid and its efficiency for parasitisation