Cleruchus
Enock, 1909
Cleruchus is a of fairyflies (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) containing minute . in this genus exhibit notable wing dimorphism, with both and brachypterous individuals occurring within single species. They are associated with bracket fungi and parasitize eggs of beetles, particularly Ciidae. The genus is distributed across the Palaearctic region with records from Europe, Russia, and North America.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cleruchus: /klɛˈɹuːkəs/
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Identification
Cleruchus are distinguished from other Mymaridae by their association with bracket fungi and specific antennal and wing characteristics. females of C. breviclava are most similar to C. detritus, requiring careful examination of antennal segments and wing venation for separation. Brachypterous individuals show reduced wing development but share conspecificity with macropterous forms as confirmed by molecular data.
Habitat
Bracket fungi (Polyporales), particularly Antrodia xantha (Fomitopsidaceae) and similar wood-decaying fungi in forested and mountainous regions.
Distribution
Palaearctic region: Switzerland (Basel, low mountains), Germany (low mountains), Russia (Primorskii Krai, Karelia), The Netherlands, California (USA).
Host Associations
- Cis chinensis Lawrence (Coleoptera: Ciidae) - in Europe
- Ciidae (Coleoptera) - beetles associated with bracket fungi
Life Cycle
of eggs laid in bracket fungi; development occurs within eggs.
Behavior
Exhibits wing dimorphism with both fully winged () and strongly reduced-wing (brachypterous) individuals present within single .
Ecological Role
agent of Ciidae beetles; potential for regulating of Cis chinensis in Europe.
Human Relevance
Similar Taxa
- C. detritus Bakkendorf females most similar morphologically; distinguished by antennal and genitalic characters
- Other Mymaridae generaCleruchus separated by association with Ciidae in bracket fungi and specific wing venation patterns
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- cleruchus_nikaknet_triapitsyn_ht_ucrc_ent_154131_wgright.jpg | Entomology Research Museum
- Primary Type List | Entomology Research Museum
- Publications | Entomology Research Museum
- A new species of Cleruchus (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), an egg parasitoid of the invasive Cis chinensis (Coleoptera, Ciidae) in Switzerland, with new records of other congeners in Europe
- Figure 5 from: Triapitsyn SV, Coray A, Rugman-Jones PF (2022) A new species of Cleruchus (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), an egg parasitoid of the invasive Cis chinensis (Coleoptera, Ciidae) in Switzerland, with new records of other congeners in Europe. Alpine Entomology 6: 97-109. https://doi.org/10.3897/alpento.6.86806
- Figure 2 from: Triapitsyn SV, Coray A, Rugman-Jones PF (2022) A new species of Cleruchus (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), an egg parasitoid of the invasive Cis chinensis (Coleoptera, Ciidae) in Switzerland, with new records of other congeners in Europe. Alpine Entomology 6: 97-109. https://doi.org/10.3897/alpento.6.86806
- Figure 4 from: Triapitsyn SV, Coray A, Rugman-Jones PF (2022) A new species of Cleruchus (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), an egg parasitoid of the invasive Cis chinensis (Coleoptera, Ciidae) in Switzerland, with new records of other congeners in Europe. Alpine Entomology 6: 97-109. https://doi.org/10.3897/alpento.6.86806
- Figure 1 from: Triapitsyn SV, Coray A, Rugman-Jones PF (2022) A new species of Cleruchus (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), an egg parasitoid of the invasive Cis chinensis (Coleoptera, Ciidae) in Switzerland, with new records of other congeners in Europe. Alpine Entomology 6: 97-109. https://doi.org/10.3897/alpento.6.86806
- Figure 3 from: Triapitsyn SV, Coray A, Rugman-Jones PF (2022) A new species of Cleruchus (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), an egg parasitoid of the invasive Cis chinensis (Coleoptera, Ciidae) in Switzerland, with new records of other congeners in Europe. Alpine Entomology 6: 97-109. https://doi.org/10.3897/alpento.6.86806
- Figure 6 from: Triapitsyn SV, Coray A, Rugman-Jones PF (2022) A new species of Cleruchus (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), an egg parasitoid of the invasive Cis chinensis (Coleoptera, Ciidae) in Switzerland, with new records of other congeners in Europe. Alpine Entomology 6: 97-109. https://doi.org/10.3897/alpento.6.86806