Biological-control-disruption
Guides
Aphanogmus
Aphanogmus is a genus of minute ceraphronid wasps erected by Thomson in 1858. The genus contains at least 90 described species distributed worldwide. Species are primarily parasitoids of Ichneumonoidea and Cecidomyiidae, with some functioning as hyperparasitoids through bethylid wasps. Several species have been documented emerging from hosts used in commercial biological control programs, where they may disrupt pest management efforts.
Formica aerata
grey field ant
Formica aerata, commonly known as the grey field ant, is a species of ant in the family Formicidae. It is native to western North America and has been studied extensively in California vineyard ecosystems, where it disrupts biological control of mealybugs by tending them for honeydew. The species is active year-round when temperatures exceed 9°C, with peak foraging in spring before mealybug honeydew becomes available.