Tiphia

Fabricius, 1775

Species Guides

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Tiphia is a of in the Tiphiidae. in this genus are specialized ectoparasitoids of scarab beetle larvae (white ) that inhabit soil. The genus includes notable agents such as Tiphia vernalis, which was introduced to the United States from Asia in 1925 to manage Japanese beetle .

Tiphia by no rights reserved, uploaded by Ken Kneidel. Used under a CC0 license.Tiphia brevilineata formosana by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Tiphia moczari by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tiphia: /ˈtɪfiə/

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Habitat

Soil environments containing scarab beetle larvae; frequently found in flowering vegetation near turfgrass systems

Distribution

Records from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Vermont (USA), and other US locations; Tiphia vernalis introduced to United States from Korea and China

Seasonality

Tiphia vernalis exhibits spring (April–May); Tiphia pygidialis emerge mid-June to early July with peak emergence in late June

Diet

feed on nectar from flowers including wild carrot (Daucus carota), Anne's lace, and other umbellifers; larvae are ectoparasitoids feeding on scarab beetle larvae

Host Associations

  • Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) - of Tiphia vernalis
  • Masked chafer (Cyclocephala spp.) - of Tiphia pygidialis
  • Oriental beetle (Anomala orientalis) - Tiphia vernalis has been observed feeding on this in laboratory and nursery settings
  • Scarabaeidae larvae (white grubs) - General group for

Life Cycle

(one per year); females burrow into soil to locate , sting and temporarily paralyze them, then deposit single externally on hosts; larval development occurs within host grub; as mature larva or pupa in soil

Behavior

Females exhibit directed -searching below ground, using forelegs to dig through soil; use contact from body odor trails and for host location; perform antennal drumming to locate hosts; T. vernalis shows more aggressive host-seeking behavior and accepts larger hosts than T. pygidialis

Ecological Role

agent of scarab beetle in turfgrass and agricultural systems; contributes to natural suppression of root-feeding pest

Human Relevance

Tiphia vernalis introduced to United States in 1925 as agent for Japanese beetle; proposed for management of oriental beetle; subject of conservation efforts in turfgrass management

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