Eretmocerinae
Shafee & Khan, 1978
Genus Guides
1- Eretmocerus(Whitefly Parasitic Wasps)
Eretmocerinae is a of minute within the Aphelinidae. Members are known primarily as parasitoids of whiteflies (Aleyrodidae). The subfamily was established by Shafee and Khan in 1978 and contains the Eretmocerus, which is the most widely studied group within the subfamily due to its importance in .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Eretmocerinae: /ˌɛrɛtəmoʊˈsɛrɪniː/
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Host Associations
- Aleyrodidae - Whiteflies are the primary ; Eretmocerus are known to parasitize multiple whitefly including Bemisia and Trialeurodes
Ecological Role
agent of whitefly agricultural and horticultural pests
Human Relevance
of Eretmocerus are commercially mass-reared and released for of whitefly pests in greenhouse and field crops, particularly Bemisia tabaci (silverleaf whitefly) and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (greenhouse whitefly)
Similar Taxa
- AphelininaeBoth are of Aphelinidae containing whitefly ; Eretmocerinae is distinguished by having the first tergite of the (narrowed at base) and different antennal segmentation
- CoccophaginaeAnother Aphelinidae ; Coccophaginae primarily parasitize scale insects (Coccoidea) rather than whiteflies, and differ in wing venation and antennal structure
More Details
Taxonomic note
The Eretmocerinae has been variously treated as a tribe (Eretmocerini) within Aphelininae by some authors. The current consensus treats it as a distinct subfamily. The Eretmocerus Haldeman, 1850 is the primary and best-known genus, containing numerous used in .
Biological control significance
Eretmocerus eremicus and Eretmocerus mundus are among the most important commercial agents for whitefly management. These exhibit feeding in addition to , killing more whiteflies than they successfully parasitize.