Perilampus prothoracicus
Smulyan, 1936
Perilampus prothoracicus is a small in the , measuring 1.3–5.5 mm in length. The exhibits the family's characteristic hyperparasitic lifestyle, with typically parasitizing other parasitoid . Females on vegetation, and the resulting mobile larvae actively seek by attaching to moving objects.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Perilampus prothoracicus: /ˌpɛrɪˈlæmpəs proʊˌθɔːˈreɪsɪkəs/
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Identification
Distinguished from similar small () by triangular or inverted pyramid-shaped with sharp corners, versus oval or rounded abdomen without sharp corners. Short, strongly also characteristic. May be found in similar situations to cuckoo wasps, particularly around colonies or of sunflowers.
Habitat
Found on vegetation including sunflower plants where feed on and . laid on leaves, , bark cracks, and under lichens.
Distribution
Canada: recorded from Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Ontario.
Seasonality
Active in summer; observed at and colonies during this period.
Host Associations
- Tachinidae - larval (secondary) parasitizing other
- Ichneumonidae - larval (secondary)ichneumon within or other larvae
- Braconidae - larval (secondary) within or other larvae
Life Cycle
Female 500+ on vegetation. Mobile hatches and attaches to moving objects with . Successful larvae penetrate secondary , then locate and enter primary host (a of the secondary host). Larva waits until primary host pupates, then exits and molts into -like external-feeding parasite. Two to three additional before pupating inside host or .
Behavior
imbibe sweet from stems and . actively seek by attaching to any moving object. Hyperparasitic lifestyle involves locating hosts within hosts.
Ecological Role
, regulating of such as , ichneumon , and wasps. Contributes to complex trophic cascades in .
Similar Taxa
- Chrysididae (cuckoo wasps)Similar size, metallic coloration, and occurrence around colonies and ; distinguished by oval or rounded without sharp corners versus triangular abdomen in
More Details
Taxonomic uncertainty
of has been disputed; variously treated as own or lumped with . Chrysolampinae often placed in Pteromalidae by some authorities.
Life cycle plasticity
Some Perilampus can complete as primary of secondary when primary hosts are absent; whether P. prothoracicus shares this trait is not confirmed.