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.
Images
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.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Encyrtid Holdings | Entomology Research Museum
- Interaction between the aphid parasitoid Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) and its hyperparasitoid Syrphophagus africanus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)
- Preference and performance of the hyperparasitoid Syrphophagus aphidivorus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae): fitness consequences of selecting hosts in live aphids or aphid mummies