Phasgonophora sulcata

As a chalcidid wasp, P. sulcata possesses the family-diagnostic enlarged hind femora with serrate or toothed inner margins. Specific distinguishing features from other chalcidids require microscopic examination. Females can be distinguished from males by their larger size and earlier emergence timing. The species is most readily identified by its association with Agrilus beetle hosts in ash trees.

Agrilus-infested ash trees (Fraxinus spp.), particularly in the lower trunk and branches below 360 cm height. Parasitism has not been observed above this height threshold. Occupies deciduous forest ecosystems where host beetles occur.

Native to North America. Documented from Ontario, Canada; Wisconsin; Michigan; and multiple U.S. states including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, and District of Columbia.

Adults first observed in early June, with peak capture in late June. Activity corresponds with emergence of host Agrilus planipennis.

• Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (emerald ash borer) - endoparasitoidnovel host adoption; primary target for biological control
• Agrilus bilineatus (twolined chestnut borer) - endoparasitoidnative host association documented in Wisconsin
• Other Agrilus species - endoparasitoidindigenous hosts in family Buprestidae

Solitary endoparasitoid developing within host larvae. Adult emergence 20.2–23.9 days after host emergence at 21°C. Females emerge 5.4–5.8 days before males. Mean adult longevity 23.8 days (males) and 28.9 days (females) at 21°C. Potential fecundity averages 55.7 eggs per female at emergence, decreasing with age.

Males orient toward females in olfactometer assays, indicating female-produced volatile pheromones mediate courtship. Four consistent pre-copulatory behaviors observed. Flight capacity increases with temperature and decreases with age; walking activity unaffected by age or body size. No relationship between walking activity and flight capacity.

Important source of mortality for Agrilus planipennis populations. May compete with introduced exotic parasitoids such as Spathius galinae in areas of high ash density, as P. sulcata parasitism decreases where ash density increases while S. galinae shows the opposite pattern.

Investigated as a native biological control agent for emerald ash borer. Mass rearing considered challenging. Recommended for release as pupae near EAB-infested ash trees to improve efficacy. Putative pheromones may be useful for detection and retention of populations in augmentative biological control programs.

• Spathius galinaeBoth are parasitoids of emerald ash borer, but S. galinae is an introduced exotic species from Asia. P. sulcata shows negative association with ash density while S. galinae shows positive association. S. galinae is in family Braconidae, not Chalcididae.
• Tetrastichus planipennisiBoth attack emerald ash borer, but T. planipennisi is an introduced exotic eupelmid wasp with different biology and smaller size.
• Other ChalcididaeRequire microscopic examination for identification; P. sulcata distinguished by host associations and geographic distribution.

• parasitoid
• biological control
• emerald ash borer
• native species
• Chalcididae
• forest pest management

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Emerald Ash Borer: Study Offers Mixed Signals on Drivers of Effective Biological Control
• Oecanthidae | Beetles In The Bush
• Bug Eric: Rough Stink Bugs
• Factors influencing the dispersal of a native parasitoid, Phasgonophora sulcata, attacking the emerald ash borer: implications for biological control
• Courtship sequence and evidence of volatile pheromones inPhasgonophora sulcata(Hymenoptera: Chalcididae), a North American parasitoid of the invasiveAgrilus planipennis(Coleoptera: Buprestidae)
• Observations on the life-history traits of the North American parasitoidPhasgonophora sulcataWestwood (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) attackingAgrilus planipennis(Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in Ontario, Canada
• Observations of the Biology of <i>Phasgonophora Sulcata</i> (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae), a Larval Parasitoid of the Twolined Chestnut Borer, <i>Agrilus Bilineatus</i> (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), in Wisconsin