Aphelinidae
Guides
Aphelinus mali
woolly aphid parasite
Aphelinus mali is a tiny parasitoid wasp in the family Aphelinidae that specializes in attacking the woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum), a major pest of apple orchards worldwide. Native to the northeastern United States, it has been introduced to numerous apple-growing regions as a biological control agent since 1928. The wasp's life cycle is tightly coupled with its aphid host, with females laying eggs inside living aphids where larvae develop before emerging as adults. It is considered one of the earliest and most successful examples of classical biological control in agriculture.
Aphytis
Aphytis is a genus of minute chalcid wasps in the family Aphelinidae, comprising approximately 130 described species. These wasps are specialized ectoparasitoids of armored scale insects (Diaspididae), particularly attacking citrus and other economically important pests. Adults typically measure 2–3 mm in length and exhibit coloration ranging from black to yellow with transparent wings. The genus has been extensively studied for biological control applications, with species such as A. melinus mass-reared and released worldwide to manage scale infestations. The University of California, Riverside maintains a critical collection of Aphytis specimens, including type material for numerous species described by Rosen and DeBach.
Centrodora
Centrodora is a genus of minute parasitoid wasps in the family Aphelinidae, comprising approximately 60 described species. The genus is notable for being the most polyphagous within Aphelinidae, with species attacking eggs of insects across multiple orders including Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, and Hymenoptera, as well as pupae of Diptera and nymphs of Hemiptera. Several species have been investigated as biological control agents for crop and forest pests, including C. darwini and C. scolytivorae. The genus exhibits considerable morphological diversity, with some species groups potentially warranting elevation to separate genera.
Coccobius
Coccobius is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Aphelinidae, specialized as parasitoids of armored scale insects (Diaspididae). Species in this genus have been widely used as biological control agents against economically important scale pests on crops including citrus and pine. The genus exhibits weak dispersal ability, with documented dispersal rates of approximately 200 meters per year. Multiple species have been intentionally introduced across Asia, North America, and other regions for classical biological control programs.
Coccobius fulvus
Coccobius fulvus is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Aphelinidae, first described by Compere and Annecke in 1961. It belongs to a genus of chalcidoid wasps that are primarily parasitoids of scale insects (Coccoidea). The species has been recorded from France, Japan, and the conterminous United States. Like other members of Aphelinidae, it likely plays a role in biological control of pest scale insects.
Coccophagus
Coccophagus is a large genus of chalcid wasps in the family Aphelinidae, established by Westwood in 1833. Members are parasitoids primarily associated with scale insects (Coccoidea), playing significant roles in biological control programs. The genus is taxonomically well-established within the subfamily Coccophaginae and tribe Coccophagini. Species in this genus have been documented from multiple continents including North America, Asia, and South America.
Coccophagus lycimnia
Coccophagus lycimnia is a minute parasitoid wasp in the family Aphelinidae, widely used as a biological control agent against soft scale insects (Coccidae: Hemiptera). The species exhibits host-size dependent oviposition behavior, preferentially parasitizing second-instar scale insects while avoiding larger hosts due to defensive reactions. It has been documented attacking multiple economically important scale pests including Coccus hesperidum (brown soft scale), Parthenolecanium spp., Sphaerolecanium prunastri, and Parasaissetia nigra, with particular significance in citrus and agricultural systems.
Encarsia
Encarsia is a large genus of minute parasitic wasps in the family Aphelinidae, comprising approximately 400–473 described species with worldwide distribution. The genus exhibits complex morphological variation that complicates species-level identification. Many species are economically important biological control agents used in greenhouse and agricultural settings against whiteflies and scale insects.
Encarsia citrina
Encarsia citrina is a minute parasitoid wasp in the family Aphelinidae that serves as an important biological control agent of armored scale insects. The species attacks multiple scale hosts including euonymus scale (Unaspis euonymi), greedy scale (Hemiberlesia rapax), and Fiorinia externa. Research has demonstrated that pesticide applications can significantly reduce parasitoid populations and disrupt biological control services. The species exhibits temperature-dependent searching efficiency and host age preference in its foraging behavior.
Encarsia lanceolata
Encarsia lanceolata is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Aphelinidae, described by Evans and Polaszek in 1997. The genus Encarsia comprises minute chalcidoid wasps that parasitize whiteflies and other hemipteran hosts. Species in this genus are extensively studied for their importance in biological control programs targeting agricultural pests. E. lanceolata belongs to a genus noted for its extensive cryptic species diversity, making accurate identification dependent on detailed morphological or molecular analysis.
Encarsia nigricephala
Encarsia nigricephala is a parasitoid wasp species in the family Aphelinidae, described by Dozier in 1937. The species name refers to its dark (black) head. Like other members of the genus Encarsia, it is likely a parasitoid of whiteflies (Aleyrodidae), though specific host records for this species are not well documented in the available literature. The species has been recorded from the southeastern United States (Florida, Georgia, Maryland), the Caribbean (Martinique), and South America (Minas Gerais, Brazil).
Marietta
Marietta is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Aphelinidae. Species in this genus are obligate hyperparasitoids, attacking primary parasitoids of Hemipteran pests rather than the pest insects themselves. The genus was established by Motschulsky in 1863. Marietta species have been documented in association with parasitoids of psyllids, mealybugs, and other economically important insect pests, making them relevant to biological control programs.
Marietta timberlakei
Marietta timberlakei is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Aphelinidae, described by Hayat in 1986. The species is named in honor of the American entomologist Philip H. Timberlake, who made extensive contributions to the study of Hymenoptera, particularly bees and wasps. As a member of the genus Marietta, it is likely a hyperparasitoid, a trait common to other species in this genus. The species has been recorded from Hawaii and Maryland in the United States, as well as Brazil.