Cocoon-jumping-behavior

Guides

• Bathyplectes

  Bathyplectes is a genus of ichneumonid wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Campopleginae) comprising larval parasitoids of weevil pests, particularly the alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica). The genus includes multiple Palaearctic species, with B. curculionis and B. anura being the most studied for biological control of alfalfa weevil in agricultural systems. These parasitoids have been introduced to North America as part of classical biological control programs. A distinctive behavioral trait occurs in B. anura, whose cocooned larvae jump up to 5 cm to locate favorable microhabitats.

  parasitoidbiological-controlalfalfa-weevilIchneumonidaeagricultural-pest-managementcocoon-jumping-behaviorPalaearcticintroduced-species