Euplectrus
Westwood, 1832
Species Guides
2Euplectrus is a of in the Eulophidae, distinguished by unique morphological and biological traits. All are ectoparasitoids of caterpillars from diverse families. The genus exhibits distinctive larval adaptations, including the ability to spin silk cocoons—a feature unique within Eulophidae. Species-level identification is challenging due to morphological conservatism.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Euplectrus: /juˈplɛktrəs/
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Identification
Distinguished from other Eulophinae by three diagnostic characters: hind tibial spurs longer than half the hind length, scutellum without lateral grooves or pit rows, and propodeum bearing a single strong carina. within the genus are difficult to distinguish due to morphological conservatism.
Images
Habitat
Occurs in all biogeographic realms where caterpillars are present; not restricted to specific vegetation types.
Distribution
distribution on every continent except Antarctica; documented from California, Guizhou, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.
Seasonality
Development from oviposition to normally takes no longer than two weeks under favorable conditions.
Diet
Larvae feed on haemolymph of caterpillars; females do not feed as .
Host Associations
- Erebidae - caterpillar
- Euteliidae - caterpillar
- Geometridae - caterpillar
- Lasiocampidae - caterpillar
- Noctuidae - caterpillar
- Nolidae - caterpillar
- Notodontidae - caterpillar
- Sphingidae - caterpillar
- Tortricidae - caterpillar
Life Cycle
Females attach to caterpillar surface with thin , inserting eggs under host above hypodermis. Larvae undergo 3-5 while attached to host, feeding on haemolymph. Upon maturity, larvae migrate from to side of host and spin cocoons to pupate; some form communal cocoons. Silk production occurs in modified , exuded from anal opening.
Behavior
Females use long hind tibial spurs to anchor themselves to dorsum during oviposition. Ovipositing females inject venom preventing host , allowing larvae and cocoons to remain attached. Some are idiobionts, paralyzing hosts with venom; others are koinobionts, permitting continued host feeding during development. Normally gregarious, laying 5 to several hundred per host, though a few species are solitary.
Ecological Role
agent of caterpillars; regulates of diverse lepidopteran herbivores.
Human Relevance
such as Euplectrus puttleri have been introduced for of agricultural pests; the contributes to reduction of use in crop systems.
Similar Taxa
- Other Eulophinae generaLack the combination of long hind tibial spurs, unsculptured scutellum, and single propodeal carina that define Euplectrus.
More Details
Silk production
Cocoon-spinning ability is unique to Euplectrus within Eulophidae; larvae produce silk using modified .
Etymology
Euplectrus puttleri was named in honor of Ben Puttler for his discovery of the species in Colombia.