Pholetesor ornigis

(Weed, 1887)

Pholetesor ornigis is a braconid specialized on Phyllonorycter blancardella, the spotted tentiform leafminer. It is a significant agent in apple orchards. peaks occur in mid-June and late August, with males emerging earlier than females. The demonstrates clear age discrimination, preferentially parasitizing intermediate instar larvae.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pholetesor ornigis: //foʊˈliːtɛsɔr ɔrˈnɪdʒɪs//

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Habitat

Apple orchards

Distribution

North America; recorded in Vermont, United States and Ontario, Canada

Seasonality

activity peaks in mid-June and late August, with a smaller peak in mid-July

Host Associations

Life Cycle

Development time from oviposition to varies with instar: extended on 1st instar hosts, shortest on 2nd-4th instar hosts, intermediate on 5th instar hosts. Emergence success is highest from 2nd-4th instar hosts and lower from 1st and 5th instars.

Behavior

Females demonstrate age discrimination, preferentially ovipositing in 2nd-4th instar hosts while rejecting 1st and 5th instar hosts when given a choice. Males emerge and fly earlier than females (protandry). are attracted to synthetic host (E,E)-8,10-tetradecadien-1-ol acetate. Shows delayed to host , with highest rates occurring when host are declining.

Ecological Role

agent of Phyllonorycter blancardella, a leafmining pest of apple. Contributes to natural suppression of leafminer in orchard .

Human Relevance

Used in programs for apple orchards. Conservation strategies have been developed in Ontario to maintain . ELISA methods have been developed to detect parasitized larvae for monitoring purposes.

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Sources and further reading