Ceranisus

Walker, 1841

Species Guides

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Ceranisus is a of minute in the Eulophidae. are solitary larval endoparasitoids of thrips (Thysanoptera), with females laying within early larval instars of their . The genus has received attention for its potential in of agricultural thrips pests, including Thrips tabaci, Frankliniella occidentalis, and F. intonsa. Strains collected worldwide show variation in and based on geographic origin and phenotypic appearance.

Ceranisus americensis by (c) Elliott Gordon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Elliott Gordon. Used under a CC-BY license.Ceranisus americensis by (c) Elliott Gordon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Elliott Gordon. Used under a CC-BY license.Ceranisus americensis by (c) Elliott Gordon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Elliott Gordon. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ceranisus: //sɛˈrænɪsəs//

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Identification

Ceranisus are distinguished from other thrips-attacking Eulophidae by characteristics of the entedonine , including reduced wing venation and specific antennal segmentation patterns. Specific identification to species level requires examination of male genitalia and other microscopic morphological features.

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Habitat

Agricultural , particularly crop systems where thrips pests occur; associated with plants of thrips including tomato, grape, and various vegetables and ornamentals.

Distribution

Records from North America (California, Maryland, New York, Ontario), Europe (Canary Islands), and worldwide distribution corresponding to thrips ranges.

Host Associations

Life Cycle

Solitary larval endoparasitoid development. Females lay within early larval instars of thrips ; larvae develop inside host and kill it. Development is synchronized with host larval development and temperature-dependent. Pupal duration shows marked variation at 20°C and 25°C. Development is faster on western flower thrips than on F. intonsa.

Behavior

acceptance depends on host larval stage, size, and movement. First instar thrips are preferred hosts. As host size increases, fewer are attacked and successfully parasitized. Yellow strains produce more offspring than brown strains but show greater variation in developmental time.

Ecological Role

agent of thrips pests in agricultural systems. Natural enemy that reduces pest ; multiple releases may be needed to control populations of western flower thrips or F. intonsa.

Human Relevance

Used and evaluated as a agent in () systems for thrips control on tomato and other crops. Methyl anthranilate has been identified as an attractant for C. menes and may be useful for monitoring or enhancing activity.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Entedoninae generaSimilar reduced wing venation and antennal structure; distinguished by specific male genitalia and microscopic morphological features

More Details

Strain variation

Strains of Ceranisus menes collected worldwide differ in and based on phenotypic appearance (yellow vs. brown color forms) and geographical origin. Yellow strains are more effective agents, producing more offspring than brown strains.

Reproductive capacity

varies by : approximately 2.5 times higher on western flower thrips than on F. intonsa. Average production approximately 80 eggs per female under laboratory conditions.

Taxonomic revision

The was revised in 2005 (Triapitsyn, S.V. 2005. Revision of Ceranisus and the related thrips-attacking entedonine genera of the world. African 46: 261-315) and again for the New World (Triapitsyn, S.V. & J.G. Morse. 2005. A review of the species of Ceranisus in the New World. Transactions of the American Entomological Society 131: 69-86).

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