Cotesia

Cotesia

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cotesia: //koʊˈtiːʒə//

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

Images

Acharia stimulea 0007050 by Gerald J. Lenhard, Louiana State Univ. Used under a CC BY 3.0 us license.
Cotesia Glomerata Front View by Lennart Tange. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Cabbage butterfly (Pieris brassicae) infested with eggs of white butterfly parasite (Cotesia glomerata), Ponte de Sor, Portugal (approx. GPS location) julesvernex2 by Jules Verne Times Two. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Cotesia glomerata (NZAC06000976) by Don Horne. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Cotesia glomerata (NZAC06000958) by Don Horne. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Cotesia glomerata (NZAC06003197) by Don Horne. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Summary

Cotesia is a genus of parasitoid wasps known for their role in controlling agricultural pest populations by parasitizing caterpillars.

Physical Characteristics

Cotesia wasps have a wrinkled propodeum and possess the shortest flagellated spermatozoa in animals, measuring 6.6 μm long.

Identification Tips

Adult females must locate and parasitize caterpillars in their second or third instar stage.

Habitat

Typically associated with areas where their host caterpillars are present, commonly in agricultural and garden settings.

Distribution

Nearctica, with a wide distribution in regions where agricultural pests are found.

Diet

As adults, Cotesia spp. feed on nectar; their larvae are parasitoids of various caterpillar species.

Life Cycle

Adult females lay eggs in host larvae, injecting them with polydnaviruses and venom. Eggs hatch within 2-3 days and larvae develop inside the host for 12-16 days before emerging.

Reproduction

Cotesia wasps reproduce sexually, with females laying around 1757 eggs in their lifetime.

Predators

Natural enemies may include various generalist insect predators that target wasps, though specific predators are not detailed.

Ecosystem Role

Cotesia spp. play a crucial role in controlling pest populations in ecosystems.

Economic Impact

They are significant as biological control agents against agricultural pests, potentially reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.

Collecting Methods

  • Light trapping of adults
  • Netting of host plants

Preservation Methods

  • Ethanol preservation
  • Pinning specimens

Evolution

Cotesia is noted for its unique evolutionary symbiosis with polydnaviruses, which assist in parasitism.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Cotesia wasps are often confused with true parasites; they are parasitoids, which means they ultimately kill their host.

Tags

  • Cotesia
  • parasitoid
  • wasps
  • biological control
  • pest management