Macroglenes

Westwood, 1832

Macroglenes is a of chalcidoid wasps in the Pirenidae (formerly placed in Pteromalidae), containing at least 20 described . The genus is distributed across the Palearctic region and North America. Species are -larval primarily associated with gall midges (Cecidomyiidae), particularly cereal crop pests. Macroglenes penetrans is the best-studied species, serving as a agent of the orange wheat blossom , Sitodiplosis mosellana.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Macroglenes: /ˌmækrəˈɡliːniːz/

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Habitat

Associated with wheat and other cereal crops; larvae complete in dry wheat spikes, clay loam soil, and fine quartz sand.

Distribution

Palearctic region; western Canada; northeastern Montana, USA; Denmark, Norway, Sweden, India.

Host Associations

  • Sitodiplosis mosellana - of-larval ; orange wheat blossom
  • Contarinia tritici - offirst reported association with M. gramineus

Life Cycle

-larval development. Eggs deposited in eggs; two feeding larval instars followed by non-feeding third instar with hook-like 'pseudomandibles' and four incurving spines on terminal segment. Pupa adectious exarate. completed at soil temperatures from -5 to 2.5°C; survival for at least 500 days at 2.5°C. at 16-28°C; no emergence at 10°C. 12-57% of individuals require a second cold period before emergence.

Behavior

12-57% of individuals exhibit prolonged requiring a second cold period before , a staggered emergence strategy.

Ecological Role

agent of gall midge pests in cereal crops; rates can reach up to 52% of .

Human Relevance

Important natural enemy of the orange wheat blossom , a major pest of wheat worldwide. Used in and strategies to sustain crop resistance.

Similar Taxa

Sources and further reading