Gelis tenellus

(Say, 1835)

Gelis tenellus is a in the . It attacks Apanteles melanoscelus, a of the (), placing it at the fourth in forest . The exhibits sophisticated discrimination , capable of distinguishing between parasitized and unparasitized host . Females locate host on tree trunks and use their elongated to drill through cocoon walls to . The species undergoes induced by and temperature cues, an for seasonal survival.

Gelis tenellus by (c) jimeckert49, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

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Pronunciation

How to pronounce Gelis tenellus: //ˈɡɛ.lɪs tɛˈnɛl.ləs//

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Images

Habitat

Associated with tree trunks where of Apanteles melanoscelus are located; linked to in forest .

Distribution

Recorded from Swan River, Canada; Winnipeg, Canada; and Hawaii, United States.

Host Associations

Apanteles melanoscelus - primary of ; G. tenellus attacks its
Lymantria dispar - indirect; of A. melanoscelus

Behavior

Females exhibit discrimination, preferentially attacking containing A. melanoscelus over unparasitized hosts. Searching is concentrated on tree trunks where host cocoons occur. Host assessment involves antennal tapping, drilling attempts with the , and extended time investment on suitable hosts. requires drilling through the host cocoon wall. The undergoes , with triggered by and temperature environmental cues.

Ecological Role

functioning as a fourth consumer, attacking a of an herbivorous . This trophic position contributes to complex dynamics in forest and may influence of through effects on its primary parasitoid.

More Details

Taxonomic history

Originally described as Cryptus tenellus by Say in 1835, later transferred to Gelis. NCBI lists authority as (Say, 1836), reflecting minor discrepancies in citation dating.

Research significance

Studied as a model for discrimination and physiology, contributing to understanding of multitrophic interactions in systems.