Aleiodes terminalis
Cresson, 1869
Terminal Mummy Wasp
Aleiodes terminalis is a of mummy in the , first described by Cresson in 1869. Like other members of the Aleiodes, it is a that develops inside living . The species is part of a diverse radiation of Aleiodes wasps that exhibit the distinctive trait of causing host caterpillars to mummify after the wasp emerges. It is one of the earlier-described species in a genus that has seen extensive taxonomic revision and species discovery in recent decades.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Aleiodes terminalis: /æl.iˈoʊ.diːz tərˈmɪ.nə.lɪs/
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Images
Diet
are of , feeding on tissues from within the living host.
Host Associations
- Caterpillars - larval specific unknown
Life Cycle
Females into . develop internally, eventually killing the host and causing it to mummify. emerge from the mummified host remains.
Behavior
Females seek out for . induce characteristic host mummification typical of the .
Ecological Role
Acts as a agent by parasitizing , potentially regulating herbivorous lepidopteran in .
Similar Taxa
- Other Aleiodes speciesDistinguished by specific morphological features of the mesosoma, , and coloration patterns; precise identification requires examination of and diagnostic .
More Details
Taxonomic note
The Aleiodes has undergone extensive revision, with many new described from tropical regions in the 2010s. Aleiodes terminalis, as an older species description (1869), requires careful comparison with modern descriptions to confirm identity of specimens.