Chrysocharis

Förster, 1856

Species Guides

14

Chrysocharis is a of small in the Eulophidae. are primarily larval parasitoids of leafmining flies (Diptera: Agromyzidae) and casebearing moths (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae). The genus has been studied for applications, particularly against agricultural pests such as Liriomyza leafminers and the larch casebearer. At least 18 species occur in North America north of Mexico, with additional diversity in Europe and the Oriental region.

Chrysocharis prodice by (c) Natural History Museum: Hymenoptera Section, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Chrysocharis by (c) skitterbug, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by skitterbug. Used under a CC-BY license.Chrysocharis cubensis by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Chrysocharis: //ˌkɹɪsəˈkɛərɪs//

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Identification

Chrysocharis are small chalcid wasps, typically 1–2 mm in length. The subgenus Chrysocharis s. str. in North America includes 18 species distinguishable by morphological characters detailed in taxonomic revisions. Specific identification requires examination of wing venation, , and body using available keys.

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Distribution

Recorded from North America (including Arizona, California, Connecticut), Asia (Beijing, Bihar, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), and Europe. The is widespread across temperate and tropical regions.

Host Associations

Behavior

Chrysocharis pentheus employs a mixed foraging strategy combining fixed search-effort and area-concentrated search when seeking in patches. Females deposit on searched leaflets at rates proportional to search speed, leaving when accumulated reaches a threshold. Search effort increases markedly after first host encounter but less so at later encounters. Chrysocharis laricinellae exhibits poor searching capacity and readily superparasitizes at low host densities.

Ecological Role

agent for leafmining flies and casebearing moths in agricultural and forest . Chrysocharis pentheus is considered promising for programs due to its ability to develop under low temperature/short day conditions. Chrysocharis laricinellae contributes to suppression of larch casebearer , though its effectiveness depends on continuous availability of suitable instars.

Human Relevance

Used or considered for of agricultural pests including Liriomyza leafminers on vegetable crops and Phyllocnistis citrella on citrus. Laboratory rearing methods have been developed for mass propagation. Susceptible to applied for control, creating potential conflict with chemical pest management.

Similar Taxa

  • AchrysocharoidesCongeneric in Entedoninae; distinguished by morphological characters in taxonomic keys
  • KratoysmaCongeneric in Entedoninae; co-occurring in Oriental region and distinguished in regional revisions
  • Agathis pumilaCompeting of larch casebearer; differs in searching and selection , with Chrysocharis laricinellae showing poorer searching capacity and greater tendency toward

More Details

Taxonomic diversity

The subgenus Chrysocharis s. str. contains at least 18 in America north of Mexico, including six species described as new in 1973: C. beckeri, C. subcircularis, C. bellincus, C. clarkae, C. truncatipennis, and C. levipectus.

Temperature tolerance

Chrysocharis laricinellae has a temperature threshold of 55°F for attacking and 40°F for development. can survive approximately 4 months at 50°F, enabling persistence through periods of low host availability.

Sex ratio variation

In C. laricinellae, female-biased sex ratios result when sufficient preferred stages are available. In C. pentheus, offspring sex ratio (% females) is low at 15°C, and female is higher from third-instar hosts than from second-instar hosts.

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Sources and further reading