Ageniaspis

Dahlbom, 1857

Species Guides

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Ageniaspis is a of polyembryonic encyrtid in the Encyrtidae. The genus contains that are important agents, particularly Ageniaspis citricola, which has been widely introduced for of the citrus leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella) in multiple countries including the United States, Brazil, and Tunisia. Another species, Ageniaspis fuscicollis, is a parasitoid of the apple ermine moth (Yponomeuta malinellus). Species in this genus exhibit arrhenotokous and are characterized by their ability to produce multiple offspring from single through .

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ageniaspis: //ˌeɪ.dʒɪˈnɪə.spɪs//

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Distribution

Distribution records from GBIF include Beijing (China), Osh (Kyrgyzstan), Sicily (Italy), and Tashkent (Uzbekistan). Specific have been introduced to additional regions: Ageniaspis citricola was imported into Florida from Australia in 1994 and from Taiwan in 1997, and has been introduced in Brazil, Israel, Louisiana, and Honduras. Ageniaspis fuscicollis has been introduced to North America for of apple ermine moth.

Life Cycle

Development is holometabolous with , larval, prepupal, pupal, and stages. are polyembryonic endoparasitoids, with eggs laid inside eggs or larvae. In Ageniaspis citricola, eggs are deposited inside leaf mines on citrus leaves where the host develops. Multiple occur per year, synchronized with host .

Behavior

Females require contact to initiate oviposition. In Ageniaspis citricola, females can discriminate between unparasitized hosts, those previously parasitized by themselves, and those parasitized by conspecifics. In Ageniaspis fuscicollis, females distribute randomly within host egg batches and exhibit frequent self-, spending approximately two hours on an egg batch and laying about 44% of their egg load (averaging 132 eggs) into the first egg batch visited.

Ecological Role

agent; natural enemy regulating of leaf-mining Lepidoptera in agricultural and natural . Ageniaspis citricola has become the of citrus leafminer in Florida, reaching levels near 100% in some areas. In Brazil, A. citricola displaced Galeopsomyia fausta as the predominant parasitoid of citrus leafminer after its introduction.

Human Relevance

in this are important agents for programs. Ageniaspis citricola has been mass-reared and released in multiple countries to control citrus leafminer, reducing and secondary spread of citrus canker. Ageniaspis fuscicollis has been introduced to North America for control of apple ermine moth. The success of these programs has contributed to development of commercial bio-factories and strategies in citrus and apple production.

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