Cardiochiles

Nees, 1819

Cardiochiles is a of with nearly distribution. are larval , primarily attacking lepidopteran . The genus includes economically significant species used in , particularly against pests in agricultural systems.

Cardiochiles by (c) Victor Engel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Victor Engel. Used under a CC-BY license.

Cardiochiles by (c) Roman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Roman. Used under a CC-BY license.

Cardiochiles therberiae by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cardiochiles: //ˌkɑːr.di.oʊˈkaɪ.liːz//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Habitat

Agricultural and natural where lepidopteran occur; includes cotton fields, rice paddies, and -growing regions.

Distribution

Nearly ; records include North America, Europe, Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Host Associations

Heliothis virescens - larval primary ; budworm
Heliothis subflexa - larval documented
rice leaffolders - larval for C. nigricollis
Heliothis spp. - larval multiple in

Life Cycle

development within larval lepidopteran . Females oviposit into host ; stages develop internally, eventually killing the host.

Behavior

Exhibits protandry with males emerging 2 days before females within a and approximately 1 hour earlier on a given day. Males produce a involved in courtship. Females employ specific selection methods to locate and accept suitable hosts.

Ecological Role

agent of lepidopteran agricultural pests, particularly in cotton, rice, and systems.

Human Relevance

Used as a agent in programs. Susceptible to many conventional ; selective insecticide use can facilitate of these .

Similar Taxa

Microplitis croceipesBoth are of Heliothis virescens; differs in susceptibility patterns and specific range
Cotesia spp.Other larval ; Cardiochiles distinguished by -specific associations and protandrous mating system