Syrphophagus

Ashmead, 1900

Syrphophagus is a of chalcid wasps in the Encyrtidae. within this genus are hyperparasitoids that attack primary developing within aphids. At least one species, S. aphidivorus, exhibits atypical dual oviposition , attacking both parasitoid larvae in live aphids and parasitoid pupae in mummies. The genus contains numerous described species distributed across multiple continents.

Syrphophagus smithi by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Syrphophagus: /sɪrˈfɒfəɡəs/

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Distribution

distribution with records from the Grenadines, Hawaii, India (Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu), and Africa (Benin).

Host Associations

aphids - aphids serve as for the primary that Syrphophagus attacks
primary parasitoids within aphids - hyperparasitoid of larvae in live aphids and parasitoid pupae in mummies; specific records include Aphidius nigripes and Lysiphlebus testaceipes

Behavior

S. aphidivorus females display selection , choosing between live aphids containing primary larvae versus mummies containing primary parasitoid pupae. S. africanus shows preference for 5-day-old newly formed mummies and exhibits higher hyperparasitism rates on aggregated versus dispersed mummies.

Ecological Role

Hyperparasitoid; occupies the fourth by attacking primary of aphids. Presence of Syrphophagus can significantly reduce the of agents.