Eutrichosoma mirabile
Ashmead, 1904
Eutrichosoma mirabile is a in the Eutrichosomatidae (Chalcidoidea) that attacks weevil larvae. The possesses planidial larvae—mobile, morphologically specialized first-instar larvae with a cranial spine, , and that actively seek and attach to weevil larvae. are small and stalked, laid directly on top of host eggs within seed pods of whitethorn acacia. This species has been collected in southeastern Arizona and is documented from multiple U.S. states including District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, and Maryland.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Eutrichosoma mirabile: /juːˌtrɪk.oʊˈsoʊ.mə mɪˈræb.ɪ.liː/
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Images
Habitat
Associated with seed pods of whitethorn acacia (Vachellia constricta) in southeastern Arizona.
Distribution
United States: District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland; specifically collected in southeastern Arizona.
Seasonality
collected in August.
Host Associations
- Curculionidae - larvae parasitized; confirmed via molecular data (28S-D2 rDNA and COI-BC mtDNA)
- Vachellia constricta - whitethorn acacia; seed pods provide for weevils
Life Cycle
are stalked and laid on top of weevil eggs. First-instar larvae are —mobile, specialized larvae with a cranial spine, , and that actively attach to host weevil larvae. Subsequent larval instars develop within the host.
Behavior
larvae are mobile and actively seek weevil larvae to attach to. Females exhibit precise oviposition , laying stalked directly on host eggs.
Ecological Role
of weevil larvae, potentially regulating weevil in seed pod .
Similar Taxa
- Eutrichosoma burskicongeneric described in same study; distinguished by morphological characters in provided identification key
- Other Eutrichosoma speciesdistinguished by larval morphological characters and features detailed in key
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Larval morphology and life history of Eutrichosoma mirabile Ashmead and description of a new species of Eutrichosoma (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea)
- Figure 1 from: Baker AJ, Heraty JM (2020) Larval morphology and life history of Eutrichosoma mirabile Ashmead and description of a new species of Eutrichosoma (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 75: 67-85. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.75.47880
- Supplementary material 1 from: Baker AJ, Heraty JM (2020) Larval morphology and life history of Eutrichosoma mirabile Ashmead and description of a new species of Eutrichosoma (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 75: 67-85. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.75.47880
- Figure 3 from: Baker AJ, Heraty JM (2020) Larval morphology and life history of Eutrichosoma mirabile Ashmead and description of a new species of Eutrichosoma (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 75: 67-85. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.75.47880
- Figure 2 from: Baker AJ, Heraty JM (2020) Larval morphology and life history of Eutrichosoma mirabile Ashmead and description of a new species of Eutrichosoma (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 75: 67-85. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.75.47880