Enytus

Cameron, 1905

Enytus is a of ichneumonid wasps established by Cameron in 1905. occur in Europe and North America, with at least one species introduced to Australia for . Members are larval of Lepidoptera, with documented including leaf-mining . The genus includes at least 18 described species.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Enytus: //ˈɛnɪtəs//

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Distribution

Europe; North America; Australia (introduced, E. eureka)

Diet

Internal tissues of larval Lepidoptera (documented : Perthida glyphopa, Epiphyas postvittana)

Host Associations

Life Cycle

deposited in larva; multiple larval instars develop internally; final instar emerges from host to spin cocoon; within cocoon; synchronized with host ; in studied

Behavior

Solitary internal ; slow larval development allows to complete feeding and enter before kills host; timed to host spring activity

Ecological Role

agent of leaf-mining and tortricid moths; regulator of herbivorous Lepidoptera

Human Relevance

Used in programs; Enytus eureka released in California against light brown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana)

More Details

Biocontrol applications

Enytus eureka was introduced to California as part of a biocontrol program targeting the light brown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana), an Australian pest established in coastal California. Release sites included Golden Gate Park, San Francisco and Santa Cruz.

Life history variation

The Australian study of Enytus sp. represents the only detailed description for the . Whether this pattern applies to other , particularly those in the native European and North American ranges, remains unconfirmed.

Sources and further reading