Cotesia electrae

(Viereck, 1912)

Cotesia electrae is a of in the Braconidae. It belongs to a well-known for of caterpillar pests. The species was described by Viereck in 1912 and is present in North America and Middle America. Very few observations of this species have been recorded.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cotesia electrae: /koʊˈtiːziə ɪˈlɛktriː/

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Identification

Members of the Cotesia are small, typically 3-7 mm in length, with slender bodies and long . Females possess a visible ovipositor used to deposit into caterpillars. Specific diagnostic features distinguishing C. electrae from are not documented in available sources.

Distribution

Recorded from North America and Middle America. The has been documented in at least two iNaturalist observations.

Host Associations

Acharia stimulea - The source text describes Cotesia parasitizing saddleback caterpillars, but does not explicitly identify the as C. electrae. This association is inferred from -level .

Ecological Role

As a member of the Cotesia, this likely functions as a larval of caterpillars, contributing to natural of herbivorous Lepidoptera. The genus is known for injecting that suppress immune responses.

Similar Taxa

Cotesia congregataAlso a of caterpillars, including hornworms; distinguished by documented range and geographic distribution
Cotesia flavipesWidely used in of sugarcane borer in Brazil; distinguished by its role in large- agricultural applications

More Details

Taxonomic note

The is accepted in Catalogue of Life and GBIF, but detailed biological information appears sparse in the literature. Most ecological information about Cotesia in the provided sources refers to , particularly C. congregata and C. flavipes, rather than C. electrae specifically.