Psilophryoidea
Compere, 1928
Psilophryoidea is a of in the Encyrtidae, established by Compere in 1928. The genus is represented in the UCR Encyrtidae collection by at least one , Psilophryoidea comesor, which appears in both pinned and slide-mounted specimens. Encyrtidae are minute wasps, typically under 5mm, that parasitize other insects, particularly scale insects and other Hemiptera. The UCR collection contains one of the largest Encyrtidae holdings in the world, with extensive slide preparations and records.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Psilophryoidea: /ˌsaɪloʊˈfraɪ.oʊˌdɪa/
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Identification
The can be distinguished from related encyrtid genera by characteristics of the and wing venation, though specific diagnostic features for Psilophryoidea require examination of . The UCR collection includes voucher specimens identified by including S. Triapitsyn.
Distribution
The Psilophryoidea comesor has been documented in the UCR collection, which includes specimens from projects and collecting activities in California and potentially other regions where Compere worked. The broader distribution of the is not well-documented in available sources.
Host Associations
- unknown - records for Psilophryoidea comesor exist in the UCR collection but have not been published in scientific literature
Ecological Role
As a member of Encyrtidae, Psilophryoidea functions as a , contributing to of potential pest . The presence of voucher specimens from California biological control projects suggests potential use in programs.
Human Relevance
The UCR collection contains voucher specimens from projects conducted by California entomologists, indicating historical involvement in applied entomology and pest management research. These specimens serve as documentation for biological control introductions and efficacy studies.
Similar Taxa
- ApsilophrysSimilar name and both are encyrtid ; Apsilophrys is distinct and contains such as A. capsica and A. oeceticola in the same collection
- PsilophrysSimilar name in Encyrtidae; Psilophrys tenuicornis is listed separately in the UCR collection, indicating these are distinct genera
More Details
Type specimen information
The was established by Compere in 1928. The UCR collection includes specimens identified by multiple including P. Timberlake, H. Compere, G. Gordh, and S. Triapitsyn.
Collection significance
The UCR Encyrtidae collection, where Psilophryoidea specimens are housed, contains approximately 8,000 slides and representatives of 261 valid . It was started by P.H. Timberlake and expanded significantly through the work of H. Compere and subsequent curators.