Gregarious

Guides

Aceratoneuromyia
Aceratoneuromyia is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae, subfamily Tetrastichinae. Species are primarily gregarious koinobiont endoparasitoids of Diptera, especially fruit flies (Tephritidae). The genus includes economically important biological control agents, notably A. indica, which has been used worldwide in field release programs against fruit fly pests. Recent taxonomic work has synonymized Trjapitzinichus under this genus and described three new species from China.
parasitoid biological-control Tephritidae fruit-fly koinobiont gregarious
Aconophora compressa
lantana bug, lantana treehopper, lantana stemsucking treehopper, lantana sap-sucking bug
Aconophora compressa is a treehopper (family Membracidae) native to Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. It was introduced to Australia in 1995 as a biological control agent for the invasive weed Lantana camara. The species is brown, up to 8 mm long, with a thorn-shaped body and produces copious honeydew. It has been documented to attack non-target plants, particularly fiddlewood (Citharexylum spinosum) in Australia, leading to its discontinuation as a biocontrol agent after 2001. It was also rejected for use in South Africa due to unacceptable risks to indigenous Lippia species.
treehopper biological-control invasive-species-management Membracidae phloem-feeder maternal-care gregarious honeydew-producer non-target-effects Lantana-camara Mexico Australia South-Africa Verbenaceae Citharexylum-spinosum Lippia Aloysia-citrodora thermal-tolerance stem-sucking sap-feeding egg-guarding instars nymphal-development weed-biocontrol host-range-expansion ecological-risk-assessment biosecurity Walker-1851 Aconophorini Membracinae Hemiptera Auchenorrhyncha Cicadomorpha Membracoidea
Anabrus
Mormon cricket
Anabrus is a genus of shield-backed katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, comprising four described species including the extinct Anabrus caudelli. The genus is best known for Anabrus simplex, commonly called the Mormon cricket, a large flightless insect famous for forming massive migratory bands that cause significant agricultural damage in western North America. Despite the common name, these insects are not true crickets but katydids characterized by their gregarious behavior, distinctive morphology, and periodic population outbreaks.
katydid shield-backed-katydid flightless gregarious migratory agricultural-pest sex-role-reversal Great-Basin sagebrush-rangeland
Anisota virginiensis discolor
pink-striped oakworm
Anisota virginiensis discolor is a subspecies of the pink-striped oakworm, a wild silk moth in the family Saturniidae. The larvae are gregarious feeders on oak foliage, capable of causing localized heavy defoliation. Caterpillars are visually distinctive with pink or orange longitudinal stripes and fleshy horns behind the head. The subspecies is part of a complex of oak-feeding Anisota species that periodically reach outbreak levels, though damage is typically aesthetic rather than causing long-term tree harm.
defoliator oak-feeder gregarious wild-silk-moth late-season native Saturniidae Ceratocampinae
Archipsocus nomas
webbing barklouse, web-spinning barklouse
Archipsocus nomas is a web-spinning barklouse in the family Archipsocidae. It forms dense communal silk webs on tree trunks and branches in the southeastern United States. The species feeds on lichens, fungi, and organic debris. Populations peak in summer and autumn, with long-winged females dispersing to establish new colonies.
web-spinning gregarious lichen-feeder wing-polymorphism southeastern-US-endemic
Argidae
Argid Sawflies
Argidae is a large family of sawflies (Hymenoptera: Symphyta) comprising approximately 800 species worldwide, with greatest diversity in tropical regions, particularly the Neotropics. The family is distinguished from other Symphyta by the reduction of the antenna to three flagellomeres, with the terminal segment often elongated and forked in males. Larvae are phytophagous and frequently exhibit gregarious feeding behavior; some species display maternal care of eggs and young larvae.
sawfly symphyta phytophagous gregarious maternal-care Gondwanan-distribution
Baryscapus
Baryscapus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae. Species are endoparasitic, developing within the bodies of other insects. Host associations span multiple insect orders including Hemiptera, Neuroptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, and Hymenoptera. Some species are important biological control agents, particularly against agricultural and forestry pests.
parasitoid endoparasite biological-control Eulophidae gregarious forest-pest-management integrated-pest-management
Blaberus discoidalis
discoid cockroach, tropical cockroach, West Indian leaf cockroach, false death's head cockroach, Haitian cockroach, drummer
Blaberus discoidalis is a large cockroach in the family Blaberidae, native to Central America and the Caribbean. Adults measure 35–45 mm and are tan with a distinctive dark brown to black pronotal patch that resembles the death's head marking of Blaberus craniifer, hence the common name "false death's head cockroach." The species is gregarious and has been extensively studied in laboratory settings for its locomotion, sensory processing, and social behavior. It is widely used as feeder insects for captive reptiles and amphibians due to its ease of rearing and nutritional profile.
cockroach Blaberidae feeder-insect gregarious neuroethology locomotion Central-America Caribbean Florida-introduced decomposer gut-symbiont research-model robotics-inspiration
Bradynotes obesa
Slow Mountain Grasshopper, Mountain Lubber Grasshopper, Western Lubber Grasshopper
Bradynotes obesa is a large, flightless spur-throated grasshopper endemic to western North America. It is characterized by its robust, heavy-bodied morphology and slow, deliberate movement. The species inhabits transitional zones between pine savannah and sagebrush desert in mountainous regions, particularly at lower elevations in the Big Horn and Wind River Mountains of Wyoming. It is notable for its very early spring emergence, with adults present primarily in May and June, and its gregarious behavior in localized populations.
flightless early-spring gregarious mountain-endemic transitional-habitat Podismini Melanoplinae western-north-america wyoming-endemic-populations slow-moving
Carabus goryi
Gory's worm and slug hunter
Carabus goryi is a North American ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as Gory's worm and slug hunter. The species inhabits cool, moist forests as well as agricultural settings including orchards and cultivated fields. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), nocturnal, and exhibit gregarious behavior. They are predatory, feeding on soft-bodied insect larvae including those of the spongy moth (Lymantria dispar).
Carabidae ground-beetle predator brachypterous nocturnal gregarious North-America forest agricultural biological-control
Cerastipsocus venosus
Tree Cattle, Common Barklouse
Cerastipsocus venosus is a widespread barklouse species in the family Psocidae, commonly known as "Tree Cattle" due to the herding behavior of its nymphs. It occurs across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Both nymphs and adults aggregate on tree bark and foliage, where they feed on lichens and other organic matter. The species is harmless to plants and plays a role in nutrient cycling.
barklouse psocid lichen-feeder gregarious silken-web harmless
Corythucha juglandis
Walnut Lace Bug
Corythucha juglandis, the walnut lace bug, is a univoltine or bivoltine lace bug (Hemiptera: Tingidae) native to North America and specialized on walnut (Juglans) host plants. Adults overwinter in leaf litter and become active in April or May, synchronizing with host leaf phenology. The species aggregates on the undersides of leaflets for feeding and reproduction. Both adults and nymphs are gregarious. It has been studied in Ontario, Québec, Canada, and southern Illinois, USA, with some geographic variation in voltinism reported.
Tingidae lace-bug walnut Juglans univoltine bivoltine gregarious leaf-litter phloem-feeder North-America Ontario Québec Illinois overwintering aggregation host-specific Corythucha Hemiptera Heteroptera
Cotesia congregata
Hornworm Parasitoid Wasp
Cotesia congregata is a gregarious endoparasitoid wasp and a model organism in insect physiology research. Females oviposit eggs into caterpillar hosts, primarily tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) and tomato hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata), simultaneously injecting a symbiotic polydnavirus (CcBV) and venom. The virus suppresses host immune defenses and disrupts development, allowing wasp larvae to complete their growth inside the living host. Mature larvae emerge through the host cuticle and spin white silk cocoons on the exterior surface. The wasp exhibits post-emergence learning of host plant cues, with a critical learning window of 0–4 hours after adult emergence.
parasitoid polydnavirus biological-control model-organism gregarious endoparasitoid host-manipulation bracovirus Manduca hornworm
Cotesia glomerata
white butterfly parasite, Cabbage White Parasitoid Wasp
Cotesia glomerata is a small gregarious parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae that specializes in attacking caterpillars of Pieris butterflies, particularly the large white (Pieris brassicae) and small white (Pieris rapae). Females deposit 16–52 eggs into a single host caterpillar, where the larvae develop internally for 15–20 days before emerging and spinning white silken cocoons in clusters on or near the host. The species exhibits complex behavioral adaptations including superparasitism, local mate competition with highly female-biased sex ratios, and protandry with males emerging before females. Originally described by Linnaeus in 1758, it has been widely introduced for biological control of cabbage pests and occurs across multiple continents.
parasitoid gregarious biological-control Braconidae Pieris superparasitism sex-allocation local-mate-competition
Dictyna
Dictyna is a genus of cribellate araneomorph spiders in the family Dictynidae, comprising approximately 118 species. These spiders are characterized by their irregular hackled band webs used for prey capture. Some species exhibit social behavior, with females showing gregarious tendencies in web aggregation. The genus serves as host for parasitoid wasps including Zatypota anomala.
cribellate web-building gregarious parasitoid-host Dictynidae
Dineutus
whirligig beetles
Dineutus is a genus of whirligig beetles (family Gyrinidae) characterized by relatively large body size compared to other whirligig beetles. Adults are 9–15 mm long with smooth, shallowly lined, or grooved elytra. The genus occurs across North America and other regions, with species inhabiting the surface waters of streams and rivers. Members are distinguished from the smaller genus Gyrinus by their larger size and hidden scutellum.
whirligig-beetle aquatic-beetle surface-swimmer gregarious Gyrinidae freshwater North-America New-Guinea
Dineutus ciliatus
whirligig beetle
Dineutus ciliatus is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae. It is one of two genera of whirligig beetles found in Missouri, distinguished from the smaller Gyrinus by its larger size (~12 mm) and hidden scutellum. The species is found in North America and is distinguished from similar congeners primarily by its dark ventral coloration and dark legs, in contrast to the orange-legged D. emarginatus. Whirligig beetles are aquatic insects that live almost exclusively on the water surface, where they form aggregations called 'rafts' that provide anti-predator benefits through increased vigilance and chemical defense.
aquatic surface-dwelling gregarious chemical-defense Ozark-endemic-fauna difficult-to-photograph
Drino
Drino is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) comprising parasitoid species that attack lepidopteran and other arthropod hosts. Species are primarily endoparasitoids, with larvae developing within host haemocoels. Several species exhibit distinctive biological traits including ovolarviparity (larviparity), gregarious development, and sophisticated immune evasion mechanisms. The genus has been recorded across Europe, Asia, and North America, with individual species showing varying degrees of host specificity from generalist to specialist parasitoids.
parasitoid tachinid biological-control immune-evasion ovolarviparous gregarious learning-behavior
Eccritotarsini
Eccritotarsini is a tribe of plant bugs within the family Miridae, subfamily Bryocorinae. It is the most species-rich tribe in Bryocorinae, with approximately 650 described species in 112 genera worldwide. The tribe is predominantly distributed in the Neotropics, though significant faunas occur in the Oriental region including India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. Members are predominantly phytophagous, with documented associations particularly with Araceae monocots in some genera. The tribe has been subject to recent taxonomic revision in multiple regions due to its high diversity and poorly resolved species boundaries.
Miridae Bryocorinae phytophagous Neotropical Oriental Araceae gregarious plant-bug true-bug Heteroptera
Entedoninae
Entedoninae is a subfamily of chalcid wasps in the family Eulophidae comprising over 90 genera. Members are primarily parasitoids with documented associations across diverse host groups including gall-inducing insects, leafminers, sawflies, thrips, and ants. The subfamily exhibits considerable morphological and ecological diversity, with species found in tropical to temperate habitats worldwide.
parasitoid biological-control gall-associated leafminer-parasitoid Chalcidoidea Hymenoptera Eulophidae Entedoninae tropical-forest agricultural-pest-control sawfly-parasitoid thrips-parasitoid ant-associated rice-pest Cecidomyiidae Tenthredinidae Pontania Closterocerus Ceranisus Afronympha Ametallon Chrysonotomyia Omphale-genus-group canopy understorey ecological-plasticity Bangladesh Panama Africa New-Zealand Europe Senegal South-Africa Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo Uganda endoparasitoid larval-parasitoid egg-parasitoid host-specificity forest-habitat degraded-habitat mid-altitude-rainforest lowland-rainforest tropical-America classical-biological-control augmentative-biological-control integrated-pest-management rice-hispa Dicladispa-armigera gall-wasp sawfly-gall leafminer ant-symbiosis Formicidae Khaya-senegalensis Ochna-pulchra morphological-taxonomy molecular-taxonomy 28S-rDNA COI CytB new-species-description generic-revision host-range parasitoid-complex food-web ecosystem-service natural-enemy pest-management entomophagous hyperparasitoid inquiline curculionid Apion-minimum Phyllocolpa-leucosticta Chrysocharis Entedon Asecodes Pleurotroppopsis Afrotroppopsis Zaommomentedon Apleurotropis Kratoysma Platocharis Schizocharis Parahorismenus Atullya Tropicharis Chrysochuris cruy mirabilis oryzamyntor eminpashai carinatum dussiae longicaudata machaeriae unimaculata claviger gorgonaense auripunctata galbina laeviscuta phenacapsia cecvora elongata pontaniae heyeri risbeci milletiae newbyi Förster-1856 Chalcidoidea-phylogeny biodiversity species-richness cryptic-species molecular-diagnostics host-plant-association habitat-specificity canopy-fauna understorey-fauna forest-stratification tropical-biodiversity Afrotropical Neotropical Palaearctic Nearctic Oriental Australasian Pacific Holarctic biogeography taxonomic-revision annotated-key catalogue type-specimen museum-collection slide-mounted-specimens morphometrics genitalia wing-venation antennae clypeus mandibles malar-space scape pedicel flagellum gaster vertex suture color-pattern pale-femora dark-gaster sexual-dimorphism male female ovipositor emergence rearing quarantine field-collection foreign-exploration augmentative-release pesticide-resistance sustainable-agriculture food-security rice-production cereal-pest vegetable-pest fruit-pest ornamental-pest forest-pest urban-pest invasive-species native-range introduced-range establishment spread impact non-target-effects host-specificity risk-assessment environmental-safety regulatory-approval research-symposium proceedings peer-reviewed Zootaxa ZooKeys Insect-Systematics-&-Evolution Australian-Journal-of-Entomology Far-Eastern-Entomologist Russian-Entomological-Journal Belgian-Journal-of-Entomology Florida-Entomologist Pan-Pacific-Entomologist Entomological-News Proceedings-of-the-Hawaiian-Entomological-Society Transactions-of-the-American-Entomological-Society Journal-of-Natural-History Zoological-Journal-of-the-Linnean-Society BioControl Journal-of-Economic-Entomology Entomologia-Experimentalis-et-Applicata Environmental-Entomology Oecologia Cladistics Molecular-Phylogenetics-and-Evolution Heredity Canadian-Entomologist Proceedings-of-the-Entomological-Society-of-Washington Annals-of-the-Entomological-Society-of-America Bulletin-of-Entomological-Research Neotropical-Entomology Journal-of-Asia-Pacific-Entomology Turkish-Journal-of-Zoology Polish-Journal-of-Entomology North-Western-Journal-of-Zoology Entomologica-Americana Entomologische-Berichten Sahlbergia Dugesiana Acta-Zoologica-Lilloana Folia-Entomologica-Mexicana Revista-de-la-Sociedad-Entomologica-Argentina Boletin-de-la-Asociacion-Espanola-de-Entomologia Entomologicheskoe-Obozrenie Entomological-Review Zoological-Institute-RAS Proceedings-of-the-Zoological-Institute-of-the-Russian-Academy-of-Sciences Taiwan-Agricultural-Research-Institute Council-of-Agriculture University-of-California Riverside 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sustainable-intensification agroecology conservation-biological-control habitat-management floral-resources refuge buffer-zone landscape-complexity connectivity spillover natural-enemy-diversity food-web-structure trophic-interactions multitrophic indirect-effects trait-mediated density-dependent inverse-density-dependent functional-response numerical-response searching-efficiency handling-time oviposition-behavior host-selection host-acceptance host-suitability host-quality host-stage-preference egg-load progeny-allocation sex-ratio local-mate-competition sib-mating inbreeding fitness longevity fecundity development-time thermal-requirements degree-days phenology synchrony asynchrony seasonal-adaptation diapause quiescence cold-hardiness heat-tolerance desiccation-resistance starvation-resistance dispersal flight walking foraging patch-use area-restricted-search oviposition-marking host-marking superparasitism multiparasitism intraguild-predation hyperparasitism autoparasitism heteronomous-hyperparasitism facultative-hyperparasitism obligate-hyperparasitism primary-parasitoid secondary-parasitoid tertiary-parasitoid mummy aphid-mummy scale-mummy pupal-parasitoid egg-larval-parasitoid larval-pupal-parasitoid idiobiont koinobiont ectoparasitoid solitary gregarious polyembryony thelytoky arrhenotoky diploid haplodiploid chromosome-number genome-size transcriptome proteome metabolome morphome phenome extended-phenotype niche-construction ecosystem-engineering keystone-species ecosystem-service-provider functional-group guild trophic-level energy-flow nutrient-cycling decomposition predation herbivory parasitism mutualism commensalism competition apparent-competition exploitative-competition interference-competition scramble-competition contest-competition resource-partitioning niche-differentiation character-displacement co-evolution arms-race Red-Queen geographic-mosaic local-adaptation phenotypic-plasticity genetic-adaptation epigenetics transgenerational-effects maternal-effects paternal-effects parental-care mating-system sexual-selection sperm-competition cryptic-female-choice mate-choice lek territory aggression alarm defense venom allomone kairomone synomone semiochemical pheromone trail-pheromone alarm-pheromone aggregation-pheromone sex-pheromone marking-pheromone oviposition-deterrent host-marking-pheromone plant-volatile induced-plant-defense systemic-acquired-resistance induced-systemic-resistance priming volatile-organic-compound green-leaf-volatile terpenoid phenylpropanoid jasmonic-acid salicylic-acid ethylene abscisic-acid gibberellin auxin cytokinin brassinosteroid strigolactone nitric-oxide reactive-oxygen-species hypersensitive-response programmed-cell-death autophagy apoptosis necrosis pathogen-associated-molecular-pattern damage-associated-molecular-pattern pattern-recognition-receptor effector-triggered-immunity gene-for-gene avirulence virulence effector toxin phytotoxin mycotoxin bacterial-toxin viral-toxin insecticidal-protein cry-protein vip-protein cyt-protein spore conidium appressorium haustorium mycelium sclerotium fruiting-body basidiocarp ascocarp perithecium cleistothecium pycnidium acervulus sporodochium symptom sign disease-triangle disease-cycle epidemic endemic pandemic outbreak eradication containment management control prevention forecasting warning-system decision-support-system expert-system model simulation economic-threshold economic-injury-level action-threshold treatment-threshold damage-threshold aesthetic-injury-level cultural-control physical-control mechanical-control chemical-control genetic-control sterile-insect-technique incompatible-insect-technique precision-agriculture site-specific-management variable-rate-application remote-sensing geographic-information-system global-positioning-system unmanned-aerial-vehicle drone sensor imaging spectroscopy machine-learning artificial-intelligence deep-learning neural-network computer-vision image-analysis pattern-recognition classification segmentation detection tracking counting sampling sampling-plan sequential-sampling binomial-sampling presence-absence-sampling fixed-precision-sampling variable-precision-sampling spatial-sampling temporal-sampling stratified-sampling cluster-sampling systematic-sampling random-sampling convenience-sampling judgment-sampling expert-sampling quota-sampling snowball-sampling respondent-driven-sampling capture-recapture mark-recapture mark-resight distance-sampling line-transect point-transect strip-transect plot quadrat pitfall-trap Malaise-trap pan-trap water-pan yellow-pan blue-pan white-pan flight-interception-trap window-trap canopy-fogging beating-tray sweep-net aerial-net ground-net aquatic-net D-vac vacuum-sampler aspirator mouth-aspirator mechanical-aspirator berlese-funnel Tullgren-funnel Winkler-extractor pitfall barber-trap pitfall-array drift-fence funnel-trap light-trap UV-light black-light mercury-vapor sodium-vapor LED actinic color-trap sticky-trap pheromone-trap synthetic-pheromone natural-pheromone kairomone-trap food-bait protein-bait sugar-bait fermentation-bait alcohol-bait vinegar-bait molasses-bait fruit-bait meat-bait fish-bait dung-bait carrion-bait decoy lure attractant repellent deterrent antifeedant oviposition-stimulant arrestant suppressant toxicant stomach-poison contact-poison fumigant systemic translaminar residual persistent non-persistent broad-spectrum narrow-spectrum selective non-selective target-specific host-specific mode-of-action nerve-poison acetylcholinesterase-inhibitor GABA-antagonist sodium-channel-modulator nicotinic-acetylcholine-receptor-agonist ryanodine-receptor-modulator chitin-synthesis-inhibitor juvenile-hormone-mimic ecdysone-agonist microbial-pesticide entomopathogenic-nematode entomopathogenic-fungus entomopathogenic-bacterium entomopathogenic-virus entomopathogenic-protozoa Bacillus-thuringiensis Bt Bacillus-sphaericus Paenibacillus-popilliae Serratia-entomophila Metarhizium-anisopliae Beauveria-bassiana Lecanicillium-lecanii Isaria-fumosorosea Nomuraea-rileyi Hirsutella-thompsonii Entomophthora Neozygites Nosema Vairimorpha Thelohania Anticarsia-gemmatalis-nucleopolyhedrovirus AgMNPV Cydia-pomonella-granulovirus CpGV Spodoptera-exigua-multiple-nucleopolyhedrovirus SeMNPV Autographa-californica-multiple-nucleopolyhedrovirus AcMNPV nucleopolyhedrovirus granulovirus cypovirus entomopoxvirus iridovirus parvovirus tetravirus nodavirus reovirus picornavirus iflavirus densovirus birnavirus totivirus partitivirus hypovirulence mycovirus bacteriophage phage transduction conjugation transformation horizontal-gene-transfer vertical-gene-transfer mobile-genetic-element transposon plasmid integron genomic-island pathogenicity-island symbiosis-island metabolic-island resistance-island virulence-factor antibiotic-resistance insecticide-resistance acaricide-resistance herbicide-resistance fungicide-resistance bactericide-resistance nematicide-resistance molluscicide-resistance rodenticide-resistance resistance-management resistance-monitoring resistance-detection resistance-diagnosis resistance-mechanism metabolic-resistance target-site-resistance penetration-resistance behavioral-resistance cross-resistance multiple-resistance negative-cross-resistance synergism antagonism potentiation safener adjuvant surfactant spreader sticker extender buffer acidifier defoamer drift-retardant rainfastness UV-protectant formulation emulsifiable-concentrate wettable-powder water-dispersible-granule suspension-concentrate capsule-suspension microencapsulation nanotechnology controlled-release slow-release attract-and-kill sterile-insect-release inundative-release inoculative-release conservation augmentation classical neoclassical new-association targeted area-wide suppression protection production integrated-crop-management integrated-production organic-farming biodynamic-farming permaculture agroforestry silvopasture climate-smart-agriculture conservation-agriculture digital-agriculture smart-farming agriculture-4.0 internet-of-things big-data cloud-computing blockchain distributed-ledger traceability transparency certification standard governance stakeholder value-chain supply-chain food-system nutrition-security livelihood income employment gender youth social-inclusion equity fairness justice ethics animal-welfare environmental-protection biodiversity-conservation ecosystem-restoration land-degradation-neutrality desertification deforestation reforestation afforestation forest-restoration wetland-restoration grassland-restoration soil-restoration soil-health soil-organic-matter soil-carbon soil-biodiversity soil-fauna soil-microbiome rhizosphere phyllosphere anthroposphere technosphere biosphere ecosphere hydrosphere atmosphere lithosphere pedosphere cryosphere climate-change global-warming greenhouse-gas carbon-dioxide methane nitrous-oxide fluorinated-gas carbon-sequestration carbon-storage carbon-sink carbon-source carbon-neutral carbon-negative net-zero climate-adaptation climate-mitigation climate-resilience vulnerability exposure sensitivity adaptive-capacity transition pathway scenario projection forecast prediction uncertainty risk hazard damage loss adaptation mitigation resilience sustainability sustainable-development sustainable-development-goals SDG Agenda-2030 Paris-Agreement Convention-on-Biological-Diversity CBD Nagoya-Protocol Cartagena-Protocol Aichi-Targets Kunming-Montreal-Global-Biodiversity-Framework post-2020-biodiversity-framework One-Health Planetary-Health EcoHealth One-Welfare One-World One-Future interdisciplinary transdisciplinary multidisciplinary cross-disciplinary intersectoral multistakeholder partnership collaboration cooperation network platform hub center-of-excellence capacity-development institutional-strengthening policy-support science-policy-interface evidence-based-policy science-diplomacy technology-transfer knowledge-transfer knowledge-exchange knowledge-sharing open-access open-data open-science open-innovation citizen-science community-based-monitoring action-research transformative-research solution-oriented-research problem-driven-research impact-oriented-research implementation-research operational-research applied-research basic-research fundamental-research strategic-research tactical-research adaptive-research innovation invention discovery breakthrough frontier emerging converging enabling disruptive transformative exponential digital biological physical cognitive social institutional technological ecological evolutionary revolutionary incremental radical systematic holistic integrated comprehensive inclusive participatory bottom-up top-down middle-out hybrid mixed-methods qualitative quantitative empirical theoretical conceptual analytical computational experimental observational descriptive correlational causal mechanistic predictive prescriptive normative evaluative assessment appraisal review audit evaluation outcome-evaluation process-evaluation cost-effectiveness cost-benefit cost-utility multi-criteria-decision-analysis stakeholder-analysis social-network-analysis institutional-analysis political-economy-analysis gender-analysis youth-analysis vulnerability-analysis risk-analysis uncertainty-analysis sensitivity-analysis scenario-analysis systems-analysis life-cycle-assessment footprint water-footprint carbon-footprint ecological-footprint nitrogen-footprint biodiversity-footprint land-footprint material-footprint social-footprint health-footprint planetary-boundary safe-operating-space doughnut-economics regenerative restorative circular green blue bioeconomy circular-economy sharing-economy gig-economy platform-economy digital-economy knowledge-economy creative-economy care-economy wellbeing-economy degrowth post-growth steady-state doughnut sufficiency prosperity flourishing thriving buen-vivir ubuntu harmony balance equilibrium homeostasis robustness adaptability flexibility plasticity evolvability innovability transformability sustainability-science resilience-science complexity-science systems-science network-science data-science information-science computer-science cognitive-science behavioral-science social-science natural-science life-science earth-science environmental-science agricultural-science veterinary-science medical-science health-science nutrition-science food-science material-science engineering-science interdisciplinary-science transdisciplinary-science convergence-science team-science responsible-science ethical-science inclusive-science decolonized-science feminist-science indigenous-science traditional-knowledge local-knowledge expert-knowledge lay-knowledge tacit-knowledge codified-knowledge explicit-knowledge implicit-knowledge procedural-knowledge declarative-knowledge epistemic-knowledge ontological-knowledge practical-knowledge theoretical-knowledge scientific-knowledge indigenous-knowledge traditional-ecological-knowledge TEK farmers'-knowledge fishers'-knowledge herders'-knowledge hunters'-knowledge gatherers'-knowledge women's-knowledge men's-knowledge youth-knowledge elder-knowledge intergenerational-knowledge transgenerational-knowledge ancestral-knowledge inherited-knowledge learned-knowledge acquired-knowledge constructed-knowledge co-produced-knowledge participatory-knowledge collaborative-knowledge transdisciplinary-knowledge interdisciplinary-knowledge multidisciplinary-knowledge cross-disciplinary-knowledge integrated-knowledge holistic-knowledge systemic-knowledge complex-knowledge uncertain-knowledge ambiguous-knowledge contested-knowledge negotiated-knowledge agreed-knowledge shared-knowledge common-knowledge public-knowledge private-knowledge proprietary-knowledge open-knowledge free-knowledge accessible-knowledge usable-knowledge actionable-knowledge relevant-knowledge timely-knowledge credible-knowledge legitimate-knowledge salient-knowledge authoritative-knowledge stakeholder-knowledge 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Eucelatoria
Eucelatoria is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) comprising approximately 70 species distributed throughout the Western Hemisphere from southern Canada to northern Argentina. The genus is characterized by distinctive reproductive morphology in females of certain species groups, notably the sword-like piercer found in the E. ferox species group. Species within this genus are parasitoids of Lepidoptera larvae, with documented host associations including Noctuidae (Helicoverpa zea, Heliothis virescens, Heliothis armigera) and Crambidae caterpillars. Several species, particularly E. bryani, have been extensively studied for their potential as biological control agents of agricultural pests.
Tachinidae parasitoid biological-control Lepidoptera New-World gregarious oviposition-piercer host-manipulation agricultural-pest-management
Eucelatoria bryani
Eucelatoria bryani is a gregarious endoparasitoid tachinid fly native to North America. It parasitizes larval stages of noctuid moths, particularly Helicoverpa zea and Heliothis virescens. The species exhibits sophisticated host manipulation, accelerating host burrowing behavior to ensure pupariation in protected soil environments. It has been extensively studied for its potential as a biological control agent against agricultural pests.
parasitoid tachinid biological-control Helicoverpa-zea Heliothis-virescens host-manipulation gregarious North-America agricultural-pest-management
Eulophus
Eulophus is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Eulophidae. Species are gregarious ectoparasitoids, primarily attacking lepidopteran larvae. The genus has been extensively studied for its biological control potential, particularly E. pennicornis against the tomato moth Lacanobia oleracea. Wasp larvae feed externally on host caterpillars and possess sophisticated host manipulation capabilities including developmental arrest and immune suppression.
ectoparasitoid biological-control gregarious host-manipulation Lepidoptera-parasitoid Eulophidae Chalcidoidea
Euplectrus
Euplectrus is a cosmopolitan genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae, distinguished by unique morphological and biological traits. All species are ectoparasitoids of caterpillars from diverse moth families. The genus exhibits distinctive larval adaptations, including the ability to spin silk cocoons—a feature unique within Eulophidae. Species-level identification is challenging due to morphological conservatism.
parasitoid ectoparasitoid biological-control gregarious silk-production
Euplectrus platyhypenae
Euplectrus platyhypenae is a gregarious ectoparasitoid wasp in the family Eulophidae that develops externally on lepidopteran host larvae. The species has been documented attacking fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in laboratory studies and peanut foliage-feeding caterpillars in Oklahoma. Females exhibit host strain preference, ovipositing preferentially on corn-strain fall armyworm over rice-strain hosts. Development is rapid, with egg-to-adult times of approximately 9.8–10.5 days depending on host strain.
parasitoid ectoparasitoid gregarious biological-control fall-armyworm Spodoptera-frugiperda agricultural-pest-management Eulophidae
Goniozus legneri
Goniozus legneri is a gregarious larval ectoparasitoid wasp in the family Bethylidae, native to Argentina. It parasitizes concealed-feeding lepidopteran larvae and has been evaluated as a biological control agent for multiple agricultural pests including the European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana), carob moth (Ectomyelois ceratoniae), codling moth (Cydia pomonella), tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta), and cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum). The species exhibits parental care behavior, with females guarding their brood for approximately four days. While it has shown promise in augmentative biological control programs, its effectiveness varies considerably depending on host species and rearing conditions.
parasitoid biological-control ectoparasitoid gregarious parental-care agricultural-pest-management Argentina-native Bethylidae
Gyrinus gibber
whirligig beetle
Gyrinus gibber is a species of whirligig beetle (family Gyrinidae) described by LeConte in 1868. Like other members of its family, it inhabits the water surface of freshwater habitats. The species occurs in North America, with records from Canada (New Brunswick, Ontario, Québec) and the United States. Whirligig beetles are named for their characteristic rapid, circling swimming patterns on water surfaces.
aquatic surface-dwelling gregarious defensive-chemistry
Habrobracon hebetor
Habrobracon hebetor is a minute braconid wasp and gregarious ectoparasitoid of lepidopteran larvae. Females paralyze host caterpillars with venom and lay up to 45 eggs externally on the host body; larvae feed on host hemolymph, leaving only the cuticle. One generation develops in 9–14 days under optimal conditions of 25–30°C and 70–80% relative humidity. The species is widely used in augmentative biological control programs against stored-product pests and field crop pests, with mass-reared releases achieving 70–90% biological efficacy. It exhibits high genetic diversity across geographic populations and can enter diapause for cold storage.
biological-control ectoparasitoid gregarious stored-product-pest diapause Wolbachia haplodiploid augmentative-biological-control post-harvest-pest-management integrated-pest-management
Hexacladia
Hexacladia is a genus of gregarious endoparasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, subfamily Encyrtinae. Species develop as endoparasitoids within adult heteropteran bugs, primarily in the family Pentatomidae (stink bugs), with some records from Coreidae and Scutelleridae. Multiple parasitoid individuals typically emerge from a single host. The genus has been documented as a biological control agent of agricultural pest stink bugs in South America, including species that attack soybean and rice crops. Seven species are recorded from South America, with H. smithii being the most widely reported.
parasitoid gregarious biological-control stink-bug soybean-pest rice-pest Pentatomidae endoparasitoid South-America agricultural-ecosystem
Leiobunum
harvestmen, daddy long-legs
Leiobunum is a genus of harvestmen (order Opiliones, family Sclerosomatidae) comprising over 100 described species. Members are characterized by exceptionally long legs relative to body size, with the second pair serving as sensory appendages rather than locomotory structures. The genus exhibits pronounced gregarious behavior, with many species forming dense aggregations on vertical surfaces. Leiobunum species are found across North America, Europe, and Asia, with some populations demonstrating rapid invasive spread in Europe.
harvestman gregarious long-legged urban invasive autotomy sexual-dimorphism sensory-legs nuptial-gift scavenger detritivore wall-dwelling negative-phototaxis
Malacosoma constricta
Pacific tent caterpillar
Malacosoma constricta, the Pacific tent caterpillar, is a moth species endemic to western North America, recorded from California, Oregon, and Washington. The species is specialized on oaks (Quercus spp.) as larval hosts. Two subspecies are recognized in California: M. c. austrinum occurs from Santa Barbara County southward, while M. c. constrictum occurs from Los Angeles County northward. The larvae construct small silken tents for group living and thermoregulation, feeding gregariously on oak foliage.
tent-caterpillar oak-specialist gregarious defoliator western-North-America
Mastrus
Mastrus is a genus of ichneumonid wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) containing parasitoid species that attack lepidopteran hosts, particularly tortricid moths. The genus includes species of significant agricultural importance as biological control agents, notably M. ridens and M. ridibundus, which parasitize the codling moth (Cydia pomonella). Species in this genus are gregarious ectoparasitoids that attack host larvae during the cocooning/prepupal stage. Research has focused on their olfactory host-finding mechanisms, thermal biology, and integration into conservation biological control programs.
parasitoid biological-control codling-moth apple-pest-management ectoparasitoid gregarious Ichneumonidae
Melanoplus spretus
Rocky Mountain Locust
Melanoplus spretus, the Rocky Mountain Locust, was a species of locust that ranged through the western United States and parts of Canada until the late 19th century. It was one of the most destructive agricultural pests in North American history, forming swarms of unprecedented size—one 1875 swarm was estimated at 198,000 square miles. The species is now extinct, last observed in the early 1900s. It is considered by some authorities to represent a gregarious, migratory phase of Melanoplus sanguinipes rather than a distinct species.
extinct locust agricultural-pest phase-polyphenism historical-species North-America grasshopper swarming gregarious
Melittobia
Melittobia is a genus of tiny parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae, notable for extreme polymorphism, complex social behaviors, and highly female-biased sex ratios. Females exhibit three distinct morphs—winged 'fliers,' short-winged 'jumpers,' and wingless 'crawlers'—determined by larval density rather than genetics. Males are blind, flightless, and comprise only about 5% of offspring, produced asexually through arrhenotokous parthenogenesis. The genus attacks prepupae and pupae of solitary bees, wasps, and other insects in their hosts' nests, with some species also parasitizing fruit flies and flesh flies. Several species are well-studied model organisms for genetics, developmental biology, and behavioral ecology, though taxonomic confusion persists due to extreme morphological plasticity.
parasitoid polymorphism arrhenotoky sex-ratio model-organism gregarious ectoparasitoid Eulophidae Tetrastichinae hymenoptera developmental-plasticity kin-selection pheromone lethal-male-combat morph-determination cosmopolitan biological-control bee-parasite wasp-parasite
Meteorinae
meteorine wasps
Meteorinae is a subfamily of braconid parasitoid wasps, though since 2015 most scientists have treated this clade as the tribe Meteorini within Euphorinae. The group is characterized by koinobiont endoparasitoid biology, attacking larval Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. The subfamily's name derives from the distinctive pupal stage, in which the cocoon hangs suspended from a long silk thread when parasitizing lepidopteran hosts. Several species have been employed in biological control programs against forest and agricultural pests.
parasitoid-wasp biological-control koinobiont endoparasitoid suspended-cocoon nocturnal gregarious solitary forest-pest-control agricultural-pest-control Andean Meteorus Zele
Meteorus
Meteorus is a large genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, comprising over 330 described species worldwide. These wasps are distinguished from other braconids by two key morphological features: a second submarginal cell in the forewing and a petiolate (stalked) first tergite. The genus includes species with remarkable behavioral adaptations, such as Meteorus stellatus, which constructs star-shaped communal cocoon masses suspended by threads up to 1 meter long. Meteorus species function as biological control agents, parasitizing diverse host insects including caterpillars of moths and beetles.
parasitoid biocontrol Braconidae Hymenoptera cocoon gregarious
Meteorus rubens
Meteorus rubens is a gregarious larval parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae that attacks significant agricultural pests, particularly the black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon). Female wasps demonstrate strong attraction to host kairomones, with 94.3% responding to hexane extracts of their host compared to only 22.3% of males. The species has been shown to carry Rioviridae RNA viruses, a rare trait among parasitoids. It naturally coexists with other parasitoids such as Apanteles ruficrus, with which it exhibits niche partitioning based on host instar preference.
parasitoid biological-control Braconidae Agrotis-ipsilon kairomone gregarious agricultural-pest Hymenoptera
Myosoma
Myosoma is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae (Hymenoptera). The genus was described by Brullé in 1846 and has priority over a later homonym in Entoprocta. At least two species are known from the Old World: M. chinensis and M. nyanzaensis, the latter described from Kenya as a gregarious ectoparasitoid of the stem-borer pest Chilo partellus.
parasitoid ectoparasitoid gregarious agricultural-pest-control Afrotropical Braconidae
Nebria pallipes
Pale-legged Gazelle Beetle
Nebria pallipes is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, distributed across eastern North America from lowland to upland areas. Adults are nocturnal, gregarious, and carnivorous. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1823.
ground-beetle nocturnal gregarious carnivorous orange-legs sexual-dimorphism eastern-North-America Thomas-Say-1823
Notiophilus sylvaticus
forest big-eyed beetle
Notiophilus sylvaticus is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the forest big-eyed beetle. It is native to North America and exhibits wing dimorphism, with populations containing both short-winged (brachypterous) and long-winged (macropterous) individuals. Adults are gregarious and primarily active during daylight hours. The species inhabits open forests and meadows.
ground-beetle Carabidae North-America wing-dimorphism diurnal gregarious
Omophron gilae
Gila River round sand beetle
Omophron gilae is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is commonly known as the Gila River round sand beetle. The species is found in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, where it inhabits sandy margins of water bodies. Adults are nocturnal and exhibit gregarious behavior.
nocturnal gregarious burrowing sand-dwelling riparian
Omophron grossum
Large Round Sand Beetle
Omophron grossum, commonly known as the large round sand beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It inhabits river margins in central and southwestern North America. Adults are nocturnal and gregarious, sheltering in ground burrows during daylight hours. The species is distinguished by its rounded body form characteristic of the genus Omophron.
riparian nocturnal gregarious burrowing
Omophron robustum
Robust Round Sand Beetle
Omophron robustum, commonly known as the robust round sand beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America, specifically in the central and northern United States and southern Canada. The species inhabits sandy beaches of lakes, rivers, and brooks. Adults are nocturnal and gregarious, hiding in burrows or under debris during the day.
ground-beetle sand-beetle nocturnal gregarious riparian North-America
Omophron solidum
solid round sand beetle
Omophron solidum, known as the solid round sand beetle, is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It inhabits sandy beaches along water bodies in California and Oregon. Adults are nocturnal and gregarious, retreating into burrows during daylight hours.
nocturnal gregarious burrowing psammophilic sand-beetle
Omphalocera munroei
Asimina Webworm Moth, Pawpaw Webworm Moth
A pyralid moth species in the subfamily Galleriinae, known for its specialized association with pawpaw (Asimina) species. Larvae are group-feeding and construct leaf shelters. The species has been studied for its clustered oviposition behavior and gregarious larval development.
Pyralidae Galleriinae Asimina pawpaw group-feeding gregarious leaf-shelter oviposition-clusters specialist-herbivore
Oncopeltus guttaloides
Oncopeltus guttaloides is a seed bug in the family Lygaeidae, closely related to the well-studied large milkweed bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus). The species occurs in southern Central America, the Caribbean, and the southern United States. Its nymphs are gregarious and form large clusters on host plants. Like other Oncopeltus species, it is associated with milkweed plants and exhibits aposematic coloration.
seed-bug milkweed aposematic gregarious Lygaeidae
Opiliones
harvestmen, harvesters, daddy longlegs, granddaddy longlegs, shepherd spiders
Opiliones is an ancient order of arachnids comprising over 6,650 described species, with estimates suggesting more than 10,000 extant species worldwide. The order includes five suborders: Cyphophthalmi, Eupnoi, Dyspnoi, Laniatores, and Tetrophthalmi. Fossil evidence from 410 million-year-old Devonian deposits demonstrates that harvestmen have remained morphologically conservative since their early evolution. Despite superficial resemblance to spiders, Opiliones represent a distinct arachnid lineage with unique anatomical and behavioral characteristics.
arachnid harvestman daddy-longlegs ancient-lineage omnivore nocturnal gregarious cave-dwelling paternal-care chemical-defense autotomy model-organism conservation-concern venomless tracheal-respiration direct-copulation short-range-endemic troglobite aposematic crypsis mimicry thanatosis viscoelastic-adhesive anurophagy vertebrate-predator
Pachysomoides
Pachysomoides is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae. These small parasitoid wasps specialize in attacking paper wasps (Polistes spp.) and related social wasps. Two species are documented in North America: P. fulvus, which ranges broadly across the continent, and P. stupidus, found in the southeastern United States. The genus exhibits gregarious parasitoid behavior, with multiple larvae sometimes developing on a single host.
parasitoid gregarious ichneumon-wasp social-wasp-parasite Polistes Mischocyttarus haplodiploid larval-competition host-defense
Paracrias
Paracrias is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae, occurring exclusively in the New World with greatest diversity in the tropics. Larvae are gregarious parasitoids of immature stages of beetles, primarily within Curculionoidea. Host records include weevils (Curculionidae), leaf-rolling weevils (Attelabidae), and bruchine seed beetles (Chrysomelidae). The genus has been studied for its potential as a biological control agent of seed and bud pests.
parasitoid Eulophidae Curculionoidea biological-control New-World tropical seed-pest gregarious
Pryeria
Pryeria is a genus of zygaenid moths native to southeastern Asia, with three described species. The genus gained attention when Pryeria sinica was discovered in Virginia and Maryland in 2002, representing a new invasive pest of ornamental Euonymus shrubs in North America. The larvae are gregarious feeders that create distinctive marginal notches on leaves.
invasive pest wasp-mimicry cyanogenic gregarious univoltine
Pteromalus cassotis
Pteromalus cassotis is a gregarious parasitoid wasp in the family Pteromalidae that specializes in attacking monarch butterfly chrysalides. A single female may lay numerous eggs in one host, with documented emergences of up to 425 adult wasps from a single chrysalis. The species exhibits extreme female-biased sex ratios, averaging 90% female offspring.
parasitoid gregarious monarch-butterfly chrysalis-parasite sex-ratio-bias biocontrol
Pteromalus puparum
white butterfly pupal parasitoid wasp
Pteromalus puparum is a gregarious endoparasitoid wasp that attacks the pupal stage of butterflies, particularly pierids and papilionids. It is widely distributed and has been extensively studied for biological control of agricultural pests, notably Pieris rapae, the small white cabbage butterfly. The species exhibits sophisticated host manipulation through venom injection during oviposition, which suppresses host immunity and regulates development. It is a model organism for studying parasitoid venom biochemistry, reproductive strategies, and innate immunity.
parasitoid biological-control venom gregarious pupal-parasitoid Hymenoptera Pteromalidae Pieris-rapae Papilio-xuthus
Pyrrhocoris apterus
firebug, European firebug
Pyrrhocoris apterus, commonly known as the firebug or European firebug, is a striking true bug recognized by its vivid red and black coloration. Native to the Palaearctic region, it has expanded its range to North America, Central America, India, and Australia. The species exhibits pronounced gregarious behavior, with larvae and adults frequently forming aggregations of tens to hundreds of individuals. It is primarily seed-feeding, specializing on lime tree and mallow seeds. A notable feature is its non-functional wing polymorphism: populations contain rare long-winged (macropterous) individuals alongside the typical short-winged (brachypterous) form, though the species is effectively flightless.
gregarious seed-feeder wing-polymorphism aggregation introduced-species model-organism
Quesada gigas
Giant cicada, chichara grande, coyoyo, coyuyo, coffee cicada
Quesada gigas is a large cicada species native to North, Central, and South America, with the widest geographic range of any cicada in the Western Hemisphere. It is a significant agricultural pest, particularly of coffee (Coffea) in Brazil and paricá (Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum) in the Amazon region, where nymphal feeding on roots can cause substantial yield losses or tree mortality. The species exhibits low selectivity in oviposition site choice, with females documented laying eggs in dry branches of non-host plants such as Conyza spp. weeds, which cannot support complete nymphal development due to their annual life cycle.
agricultural-pest coffee-pest semivoltine root-feeder subterranean-nymph gregarious low-oviposition-selectivity climate-change-model Neotropical wide-distribution
Romalea microptera
Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, Lubber Grasshopper
Romalea microptera is a large, flightless grasshopper native to the southeastern United States, reaching up to 3.5 inches in length. Its aposematic coloration—yellow with black markings in eastern populations, black with red or yellow markings in western populations—serves as a warning to predators. Despite its formidable defensive arsenal including spines, body armor, chemical secretions, and threat displays, it is harmless to humans and rarely causes significant agricultural damage.
grasshopper flightless aposematic chemical-defense gregarious southeastern-US wetland educational-specimen
Scaphinotus ventricosus
potbellied snail-eating beetle, pot-bellied snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus ventricosus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the potbellied snail-eating beetle. It is native to western North America, with documented occurrence in California and Oregon. Adults are distinctive among ground beetles for their brachypterous (short-winged) condition, which renders them flightless. The species exhibits gregarious and nocturnal behavior. It inhabits deciduous forests and poison-oak thickets, where it presumably feeds on snails as suggested by its common name and the feeding habits of related species in the genus.
ground-beetle snail-predator brachypterous nocturnal gregarious western-North-America forest-inhabitant
Tachinaephagus
A genus of gregarious larval–pupal parasitoids in the family Encyrtidae. Species in this genus, particularly T. zealandicus, are known to attack synanthropic Diptera including muscoid flies and calliphorid carrion flies. They have been studied for biological control applications and forensic entomology due to their predictable development on decomposing remains.
parasitoid forensic-entomology biological-control synanthropic Diptera gregarious Encyrtidae carrion-flies muscoid-flies olfactory-response
Tachinaephagus zealandicus
Tachinaephagus zealandicus is a gregarious larval-pupal endoparasitoid wasp in the family Encyrtidae. It parasitizes larvae of synanthropic Diptera, particularly muscoid flies including Musca domestica and various Calliphoridae species associated with decomposing carrion. The species has been studied extensively for its potential in forensic entomology and biological control. Under laboratory conditions at 25°C, its life cycle completes in 23–27 days, with single hosts producing 3–18 adult parasitoids.
parasitoid forensic-entomology biological-control synanthropic carrion-associated gregarious Hymenoptera Encyrtidae Diptera-parasitoid
Xanthochilus saturnius
Mediterranean seed bug
Xanthochilus saturnius, commonly known as the Mediterranean seed bug, is a small true bug in the family Rhyparochromidae. It measures 6–8 mm and displays distinctive black-on-tan coloration. The species is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region, with established populations in North America. It feeds primarily on seeds of Lamiaceae and Scrophulariaceae plants.
seed-bug true-bug Mediterranean introduced-species gregarious overwintering-adult
Zadiprion rohweri
Pinyon Pine Sawfly
Zadiprion rohweri, commonly known as the Pinyon Pine Sawfly, is a species of conifer-feeding sawfly in the family Diprionidae. It is associated with pinyon pine (Pinus edulis and related species) in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species was described by Middleton in 1931 and is one of several Zadiprion species specialized on pine hosts. Sawflies in this genus are known for gregarious larval feeding that can cause noticeable defoliation.
Diprionidae Symphyta sawfly pine defoliator gregarious southwestern-US Mexico conifer