Campopleginae

Campopleginae

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Campopleginae: //ˌkæmpoʊˈplɛdʒɪnaɪ//

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

Images

Bathyplectes infernalis by John Abrams. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Cocoon of an Ichneumoid wasp (Campopleginae) and the empty skin of a caterpillar it had parasitized (8073727904) by gbohne from Berlin, Germany. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
Ichneumon - Cymodusa distincta, Occoquan Regional Park, Woodbridge, Virginia (33800005484) by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Cymodusa distincta-female by Peterwchen. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Courtship step 2 (no movement) by Pylea. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Courtship step 1 (with movement) by Pylea. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Campopleginae is a large subfamily of parasitoid wasps in the Ichneumonidae family, known for their role in biological control and their unique endoparasitic behavior.

Physical Characteristics

Small, slender, black and brown insects with a laterally compressed abdomen. The clypeus is confluent with the rest of the face. Many species produce black and white cocoons.

Identification Tips

Most genera lack keys to species, identification often requires reference to type specimens; some genera have more than 100 described Nearctic species.

Habitat

Typically associated with locations where host larvae are present, often on vegetation where hosts can be found.

Distribution

Over 500 species in 38 genera north of Mexico; 67 genera worldwide.

Diet

Endoparasitoids, the larvae develop within hosts, mainly Lepidoptera and Symphyta, with some Coleoptera and Raphidiidae as well.

Life Cycle

Koinobiont endoparasitoids; hosts are usually parasitized in early instars, allowing for further development of the host before it is actually consumed by the parasitoid larvae.

Reproduction

Females inject polydnaviruses into hosts during oviposition, which compromises the host's immune system and protects the developing parasitoid.

Ecosystem Role

Act as biological control agents for various pest species including the alfalfa weevil and European corn borer.

Economic Impact

Used in the biological control of agricultural pests such as alfalfa weevil, clover weevil, European corn borer, and others.

Collecting Methods

  • Light traps
  • Hand collection from host plants

Preservation Methods

  • Pinned specimens
  • Drying in silica gel

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Some species' cocoons resemble bird droppings, which may lead to misidentification.

Tags

  • parasitoids
  • biological control
  • Hymenoptera
  • Campopleginae