Telenomus

Haliday, 1833

Telenomus is a of minute in the Telenominae, . First described by Alexander Henry Haliday in 1833, in this genus develop as parasitoids within the eggs of other , primarily targeting and . Several species, notably T. remus and T. podisi, are important agents used in programs against agricultural pests including () and (Euschistus spp.). The genus exhibits a distribution with particular significance in tropical and subtropical agricultural systems.

T. podisi parasiting P maculiventris egg by Eirefred. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Telenomus: /tɛ.lɛˈno.mus/

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Habitat

Agricultural and natural where occur; associated with including maize, soybean, , and cotton. Laboratory rearing typically conducted at 25–27°C with 65–70% and 12–16 hour .

Distribution

distribution including the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Documented occurrences include Brazil (extensive use on 100,000–200,000 hectares of soybean), East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania), Asia (Nepal, China), and North America. to the Americas; to other regions for purposes.

Seasonality

Activity synchronized with availability; multiple per year possible under favorable conditions. Generation time approximately 10 days at 25°C for T. remus, with temperature range of 15–31°C. T. podisi requires approximately 15 days from egg to at 25°C.

Diet

feed on or other sources. develop as within , consuming egg contents.

Host Associations

Spodoptera frugiperda - primary for T. remus (), major pest of maize and other
Spodoptera litura - for T. remus ()Less preferred than S. frugiperda
Spodoptera exigua - for T. remus ()Approximately equal preference to S. frugiperda
Euschistus heros - primary for T. podisi () , main pest of soybean in Brazil
Euschistus crenator - for T. podisi ()Confirmed documented
Niesthrea louisianica - ()Hibiscus
Agrius convolvuli - ()Convolvulus hawk-
Helicoverpa armigera - ()Cotton bollworm
Helicoverpa punctigera - () budworm
Chilo auricilius - ()Rice
Bagrada hilaris - ()Bagrada
Leptocybe invasa - () gum chalcid
Orgyia postica - ()
Piezodorus hybneri - ()Red-banded
Sahlbergella singularis - ()Cocoa
Amsacta moorei - ()Red hairy
Cricula trifenestrata - ()Cricula
Eudocima fullonia - ()Fruit-piercing
Helopeltis antonii - ()Tea mosquito
Helopeltis theivora - ()Tea mosquito

Life Cycle

-to- development occurs within eggs. time varies by and temperature: approximately 10 days at 25°C for T. remus, 15 days at 25°C for T. podisi. Temperature range 15–31°C for T. remus. Sex ratio typically female-biased. Adults emerge from parasitized host eggs.

Behavior

Females locate using volatile ; T. remus exhibits stronger olfactory preference for eggs over related . T. remus can overcome protective villi covering S. frugiperda egg masses, achieving greater than 90% even of innermost eggs. Host selection mediated by specific compounds: attracted to trans-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane and 2-heptadecanone, repelled by 2-hexanol. provided with solution in laboratory rearing.

Ecological Role

Important agent of lepidopteran and agricultural pests. Acts as that kills pest before larval , preventing damage. Reduces need for chemical in systems. Potential for integration with without reduction in or survival.

Human Relevance

Widely used in programs. T. remus mass-reared on alternative Corcyra cephalonica (rice ) at approximately half the cost of rearing on , enabling economical large- production. Applied on approximately 100,000–200,000 hectares in Brazil. Mass release rates of at least 18,000 individuals per hectare recommended for effective control. Subject of technology transfer programs between Africa, Asia, and the Americas for management.

Similar Taxa

TrichogrammaAlso used in ; distinguished by -level placement ( vs. ) and morphological differences in and
Gonatocerus in ; generally smaller body size and different
Ooencyrtus in ; differ in antennal structure and association patterns