Encyrtid Wasps

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Encyrtidae: /ɛnˈsɪrtɪdiː/

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Summary

Encyrtidae is a large family of parasitic wasps with significant ecological roles, particularly as biological control agents. They contain over 3700 described species and display complex life histories, including polyembryony and different parasitic strategies.

Physical Characteristics

Most adults are 2-3 mm. They have a large, convex, cushion-like region on the side of the thorax (mesopleuron), transverse-triangular axillae on the scutellum, a very short marginal vein on the forewing, and a long mesotibial spur. Antennae are often sexually dimorphic: females have clubbed antennae with short setae and sometimes flattened segments, while males typically lack a club and have long setae without flattened segments.

Identification Tips

Easily separated from other Chalcidoidea by wing venation features, the anterior migration of cerci on the metasoma, distortion of tergites, and the greatly enlarged mesopleuron with anteriorly positioned mesocoxae.

Habitat

Found throughout the world in virtually all habitats, more diverse in warmer and drier areas.

Distribution

Worldwide, with >3700 species in 460 genera.

Diet

Larvae are primary parasitoids on a wide variety of insects, particularly Hemiptera (scales and mealybugs), but also capable of parasitizing ticks. They can attack the egg, larval, or adult stages of their hosts.

Life Cycle

Some species demonstrate polyembryony, where a single egg produces many identical adult wasps. They may exhibit variable life histories, including stages as primary or secondary parasitoids, and hyperparasitism.

Reproduction

Reproduction varies by species; many are known to occupy different stages of their hosts—some attack eggs, some attack larvae, others develop from parasites of ticks.

Ecosystem Role

Important biological control agents that help manage pest populations, though they can present ecological threats to endangered species. For instance, they significantly contribute to the egg mortality of the endangered Papilio homerus butterfly.

Collecting Methods

• Malaise traps

Preservation Methods

• 70-75% ethanol
• critical-point drying
• hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS)

Evolution

Includes an extinct genus Archencyrtus from the Middle Eocene age Sakhalin amber in Eastern Russia.

Tags

• Encyrtid Wasps
• parasitic wasps
• biological control
• polyembryony