Leafhopper-parasite
Guides
Anagrus
fairyflies
Anagrus is a genus of fairyflies (Mymaridae) comprising over 90 described species, many of which are important biological control agents of agricultural pests. Adults are minute parasitoids, typically 1-2 mm in length, with coloration ranging from brown and orange to black and pale. The genus is divided into three subgenera—Anagrella, Anagrus, and Paranagrus—for taxonomic purposes. Species in this genus are specialized egg parasitoids, primarily attacking Hemiptera (leafhoppers and planthoppers), with some species also recorded from Odonata eggs. Their role in regulating populations of economically significant pests like the brown planthopper and glassy-winged sharpshooter has made them valuable in integrated pest management programs worldwide.
Anteon rugosiceps
Anteon rugosiceps is a species of dryinid wasp in the family Dryinidae. The species was described by Olmi and is part of a genus of parasitoid wasps that target leafhoppers and planthoppers (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). Dryinid wasps are characterized by their distinctive forelegs, which are modified into chelate (pincer-like) structures used to capture and hold their prey. Anteon species are generally small, slender wasps with reduced wing venation.
Anteoninae
Anteoninae is a large subfamily of Dryinidae wasps comprising five extant genera: Anteon, Deinodryinus, Lonchodryinus, Metanteon, and Prioranteon. Members are parasitoids of leafhoppers (Cicadellidae), with females possessing raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing hosts. Larvae develop externally on host thorax or between metathorax and abdomen, eventually forming soil-covered cocoons in the ground.
Aphelopus
Aphelopus is a genus of dryinid wasps described by Dalman in 1823. Species are parasitoids of leafhoppers (Cicadellidae), particularly typhlocybine leafhoppers, and are considered important natural enemies with potential for biological control in agricultural systems. The genus is relatively diverse, with 39 species recorded from China alone and a cosmopolitan distribution. Identification relies on wing venation characteristics and head morphology including clypeal structures.
Bocchinae
Bocchinae is a subfamily of dryinid wasps within the family Dryinidae. Members are parasitoid wasps that target leafhopper and planthopper nymphs as hosts. The subfamily is characterized by specific morphological traits in the forewing venation and antennal structure. Bocchinae represents one of several lineages within the Dryinidae, a family known for the distinctive chelae (pincer-like forelegs) found in females of many species.
Burksiella
Burksiella is a genus of minute egg parasitoids in the family Trichogrammatidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), established by De Santis in 1957. The genus belongs to the tribe Chaetostrichini within the subfamily Oligositinae. Species of Burksiella are known to parasitize eggs of leafhoppers, particularly sharpshooters in the tribe Proconiini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). The genus has been recorded from North and South America, including the western United States, Florida, and Bolivia.
Cephalopsini
Cephalopsini is a tribe of big-headed flies within the family Pipunculidae. The tribe includes two genera: Cephalops and Cephalosphaera. Members of this tribe are parasitoids, with females depositing eggs into host insects. The tribe is part of the subfamily Pipunculinae.
Chalarinae
big-headed flies
Chalarinae is a subfamily of big-headed flies within the family Pipunculidae. The subfamily contains four genera: Chalarus, Jassidophaga, Verrallia, and the extinct genus †Protoverrallia known from Baltic amber. Members of this subfamily are parasitoids, with larvae developing within host insects.
Chalarus
Chalarus is a genus of big-headed flies in the family Pipunculidae, established by Walker in 1834. The genus has cosmopolitan distribution with approximately 45 described species found across multiple continents. Chalarus species are primary parasitoids of typhlocybine leafhoppers (Cicadellidae), a relationship that has been documented through life history and oviposition studies. As members of Pipunculidae, they contribute to biological control of leafhopper populations in various ecosystems.
Eudorylas
big-headed flies
Eudorylas is a genus of big-headed flies in the family Pipunculidae, characterized by their enlarged compound eyes and parasitoid life history. Species in this genus are known to parasitize leafhoppers (Cicadellidae), including agricultural pests such as Dalbulus maidis and D. elimatus that vector corn stunting pathogens. The genus has a global distribution across multiple biogeographic regions and contains over 400 described species. Taxonomic revisions rely heavily on male genitalia morphology and DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial COI gene.
Gonatopus
hump-backed pincer wasps
Gonatopus is a genus of solitary wasps in the family Dryinidae, commonly known as hump-backed pincer wasps. Females are wingless and possess enlarged, scissor-like foretarsi used to capture leafhopper hosts. The genus comprises ectoparasitoid species that develop on Auchenorrhyncha, primarily leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) and planthoppers (Delphacidae). Multiple species have been documented as biological control agents of agricultural pests, particularly rice plant hoppers in Asia and the glassy-winged sharpshooter in the Americas.
Halictophagidae
Halictophagidae is a family of twisted-wing parasites (Strepsiptera) comprising at least eight genera including Halictophagus, Coriophagus, and Dipterophagus. Members are endoparasitoids of other insects, with documented host associations including leafhoppers (Cicadellidae). The family has a cosmopolitan distribution through genus Halictophagus, while genus Coriophagus shows a Gondwanan distribution pattern with records from Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, India, and Brazil.
Halictophagus
Leafhopper Twistwing Parasites
Halictophagus is a genus of twisted-wing parasites (Strepsiptera) in the family Halictophagidae. These insects are endoparasitoids of leafhoppers and related Hemiptera, primarily in the families Cicadellidae and Cercopidae. The genus exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism: free-living males with reduced wings and branched antennae, and neotenic females that remain within the host. Multiple species have been described worldwide, with documented hosts including mango leafhoppers (Idioscopus spp., Bakera nigrobilineata) and other planthoppers.
Pseudoligosita
Pseudoligosita is a genus of minute parasitoid wasps in the family Trichogrammatidae, first described by Girault in 1913. Species in this genus are egg parasitoids, attacking the eggs of various insects including leafhoppers and planthoppers. Several species have been studied for their potential as biological control agents against agricultural pests. The genus is distributed across multiple continents including North America, South America, Asia, and the Middle East.