Calliephialtes

Ashmead, 1900

Calliephialtes is a of comprising at least 20 described . Members are with documented associations across multiple , including and . The genus exhibits considerable diversity, with some species targeting concealed lepidopteran while others parasitize .

Calliephialtes by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Calliephialtes ferrugineus by (c) Eridan Xharahi, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Calliephialtes bimarginatus by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Calliephialtes: /kæl.iː.ɛˈfaɪ.æl.tiːz/

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

Identification

Small to -sized . Distinguishing features from other ichneumonid require examination of , structure, and . Specific diagnostic characters for the genus are not documented in available sources.

Images

Distribution

have been recorded from North America (United States, Mexico) including Veracruz, Tamaulipas, and Kansas.

Host Associations

Ecological Role

of , including agricultural pests such as Cydia caryana (pecan pest) and Anastrepha spatulata ( ). Potential agents for fruit fly management.

Human Relevance

Calliephialtes grapholithae is studied for of Cydia caryana in pecan orchards. Calliephialtes sittenfeldae shows potential as a biological control agent for in Mexico and Florida.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Ichneumonidae generaDistinguished by combination of morphological characters including and ; specific comparisons not documented in available sources

More Details

Host diversity

The exhibits unusual breadth across . Calliephialtes grapholithae is primarily associated with , while C. sittenfeldae represents the first documented association for the genus. The apparent association of C. grapholithae with (Polistes metricus) is indirect, mediated through the predatory Chalcoela iphitalis.

Rearing methods

Laboratory maintenance of C. grapholithae requires rearing of Cydia caryana on artificial diets; successful diets include soybean and cotton .

Sources and further reading