Banchus

Fabricius, 1798

Species Guides

3

Banchus is a of in the Ichneumonidae, first described by Fabricius in 1798. occur in Europe, North America, and Asia. The genus comprises at least eight described species, with Banchus flavescens being the most abundant hymenopteran parasitoid of the bertha armyworm in western Canada. Members are endoparasitoids of lepidopteran larvae, particularly Noctuidae.

Banchus by (c) christine123, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by christine123. Used under a CC-BY license.Banchus rufescens by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Banchus rufescens by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Banchus: //ˈbæŋ.kəs//

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Images

Habitat

Agricultural and natural associated with Lepidoptera; soil for in cocoons.

Distribution

Europe, North America, and Asia. Specific records include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and western Canada (Manitoba).

Host Associations

Life Cycle

Females attack early instar larvae (1st–3rd instars). Development is synchronized so the 's second instar completes when the host finishes feeding. Has an obligatory ; overwinters as within a cocoon buried in soil.

Behavior

-finding involves locating resting places of host larvae on food plants. Courtship and host identification behaviors have been observed in Banchus femoralis.

Ecological Role

of lepidopteran larvae, particularly noctuid pests. Banchus flavescens is the most abundant hymenopteran parasitoid of the bertha armyworm in western Canada.

Human Relevance

Potential agent for agricultural pests such as the bertha armyworm on rapeseed (canola) crops.

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Sources and further reading