Cryptus
Fabricius, 1804
Species Guides
3Cryptus is a of ichneumonid wasps established by Fabricius in 1804, containing approximately 182 described . The genus has a fossil record extending to the Eocene and Oligocene periods. At least one species, Cryptus inornatus, has been studied for its discrimination , with females able to detect and avoid previously parasitized hosts.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cryptus: /ˈkrɪptʊs/
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Distribution
Distribution records exist from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Fossil are known from the Miocene and Oligocene of Germany and the Eocene of Colorado, United States.
Behavior
In Cryptus inornatus, females exhibit discriminative ability to distinguish between previously parasitized and healthy hosts, deliberately choosing hosts to avoid even at high densities. Females can detect hosts parasitized by themselves or by conspecifics.
Ecological Role
. Specific associations for the are not documented in available sources, though ichneumonids in this group typically parasitize concealed holometabolous larvae.
More Details
Fossil record
The is known from fossil deposits including the Eocene of Colorado, USA, and the Miocene and Oligocene of Germany.
Taxonomic note
iNaturalist lists Cryptus as an extinct , which appears to be an error given the existence of numerous extant and recent observations.