Cotesia hemileucae

(Riley, 1881)

Cotesia hemileucae is a in the Braconidae that specializes in attacking caterpillars. It is a koinobiont endoparasitoid, meaning it develops inside a living . The is known to parasitize the saddleback caterpillar (Acharia stimulea), a stinging limacodid caterpillar. Like other Cotesia species, it employs to suppress the host immune system, enabling its larvae to develop successfully.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cotesia hemileucae: /koʊˈtiːziə ˌhɛmɪˈluːsiː/

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

Identification

Specific morphological features distinguishing C. hemileucae from congeneric are not documented in the provided sources. The Cotesia comprises small, slender braconid wasps, typically 2–5 mm in length, with reduced wing venation and a characteristic ovipositor used to deposit into caterpillar .

Habitat

Associated with supporting its caterpillar, the saddleback caterpillar (Acharia stimulea). This includes forests, gardens, and ornamental plantings where host plants such as oaks, elms, lindens, apples, plums, corn, blueberries, grapes, and irises occur.

Distribution

North America. Records indicate presence in the eastern United States, including the Appalachian region and the DMV area (Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia).

Seasonality

Activity coincides with the presence of caterpillars. Saddleback caterpillars are active during summer and early autumn, with emerging from cocoons shortly thereafter.

Diet

Larval feed on the tissues of their caterpillar . wasps have been observed feeding on honey in laboratory settings; field feeding habits are not documented.

Host Associations

Life Cycle

Female locate caterpillars on foliage and use an ovipositor to deposit into the host body, simultaneously injecting . Eggs hatch and larvae develop internally, feeding on host tissues. Upon maturity, larvae emerge through the host and spin white silk cocoons on the exterior surface. emerge from cocoons after several days.

Behavior

Females actively hunt for caterpillars on plant foliage. Upon encountering a suitable host, they rapidly deliver multiple stings with the ovipositor. Newly emerged immediately seek mates and additional hosts. In laboratory observations, emerged attacked other saddleback caterpillars nearby without delay.

Ecological Role

Acts as a agent, regulating of the saddleback caterpillar. The represents a notable evolutionary for immune suppression.

Human Relevance

Provides natural of a venomous caterpillar that causes painful stings to humans. The is not commercially reared, but related Cotesia species are mass-reared for biocontrol programs.

Similar Taxa

  • Cotesia congregataAlso parasitizes caterpillars (notably hornworms), produces similar external white cocoons, and employs ; distinguished by specificity and possibly subtle morphological differences
  • Cotesia flavipesUsed in large- biocontrol of sugarcane borer in Brazil; differs in range and geographic distribution

More Details

Polydnavirus symbiosis

C. hemileucae, like other Cotesia , harbors integrated that are injected into the during oviposition. These viruses disable the caterpillar's immune system, preventing of and larvae.

Taxonomic note

The epithet 'hemileucae' derives from the former name of its , Hemileuca (now Acharia). The GBIF match confirms acceptance of this name.

Tags

Sources and further reading