Scale-insect-parasitoid
Guides
Alaptus eriococci
Fairyfly
Alaptus eriococci Girault, 1908 is a species of fairyfly in the family Mymaridae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). The species was described by Girault in 1908 and a lectotype was designated by Triapitsyn in 2017 during a comprehensive revision of the Holarctic Alaptus fauna. Like other members of this genus, it is an egg parasitoid, though specific host records for this species remain limited in the available literature. The species name "eriococci" suggests an association with scale insects in the family Eriococcidae.
Aphelinidae
Aphelinidae is a family of minute parasitic wasps containing approximately 1,100-1,160 described species across 34-35 genera. These tiny insects are among the most important biological control agents used in agriculture, particularly for managing scale insects, whiteflies, and other Hemiptera. The family was formerly paraphyletic, leading to the recent elevation of Azotidae, Calesidae, and Eriaporidae to family rank. Specimens deteriorate rapidly after death unless preserved in ethanol, making museum identification challenging.
Aphelininae
Aphelininae is a subfamily of minute parasitic wasps in the family Aphelinidae (order Hymenoptera). Members are primarily parasitoids of scale insects, whiteflies, and other Hemiptera, with some species serving as important biological control agents. The subfamily was established by Thomson in 1876. Some genera historically placed in Aphelininae have been subject to taxonomic revision, with certain species formerly classified here now reassigned to other families such as Eulophidae.
Aphycus
Aphycus is a genus of parasitic wasps in the family Encyrtidae, subfamily Encyrtinae. The genus was established by Mayr in 1876 and contains species that are parasitoids of scale insects (Coccoidea). Species in this genus have been recorded from multiple continents including Europe, North America, and Asia. The UCR Encyrtidae collection holds several Aphycus species including A. apicalis, A. bifasciatus, A. hadzibejliae, A. hederaceus, A. rubescens, A. secundus, and A. shutovae.
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.
Blastothrix longipennis
Blastothrix longipennis is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Encyrtidae, first described by Howard in 1881. It belongs to a genus of encyrtid wasps known primarily as parasitoids of scale insects (Coccoidea). The species has been documented in museum collections across multiple continents, including North America, Europe, and Asia.
Bothriothorax
Bothriothorax is a genus of parasitic wasps in the family Encyrtidae, first described by Ratzeburg in 1844. The genus belongs to the subfamily Encyrtinae, a diverse group of chalcidoid wasps known primarily as parasitoids of scale insects and other Hemiptera. Species of Bothriothorax have been documented in the United States and India, with multiple species recorded in entomological collections. The genus is represented in major Encyrtidae collections including the University of California, Riverside holdings.
Cerchysius
Cerchysius is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, established by Westwood in 1832. Species in this genus are known to attack scale insects (Coccoidea), serving as biological control agents. The genus is represented in major entomological collections including the UCR Encyrtidae holdings, which contains multiple Cerchysius species. Cerchysius species have been recorded from Brazil, Denmark, and New Caledonia.
Chrysoplatycerus
Chrysoplatycerus is a genus of parasitic wasps in the family Encyrtidae, first described by Ashmead in 1889. The genus belongs to the subfamily Tetracneminae and contains species that are parasitoids, primarily associated with scale insects (Coccoidea). Based on museum records, the genus includes at least three described species: C. ferrisi, C. flavicollis, and C. splendens. These wasps are minute, typically under 2 mm in body length, with reduced wing venation characteristic of the family. The genus has been recorded from Hawaii, Cuba, and Panama, suggesting a distribution concentrated in tropical and subtropical regions.
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.
Dendrocranulus californicus
Dendrocranulus californicus is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Encyrtidae, a group within the superfamily Chalcidoidea. The genus Dendrocranulus is represented in the University of California, Riverside (UCR) Encyrtidae collection, one of the largest and most important collections of this family globally. Species in this genus are parasitoids, typically associated with scale insects or other hemipteran hosts. The specific epithet 'californicus' indicates a geographic association with California.
Dicarnosis
Dicarnosis is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, subfamily Tetracneminae. The genus was erected by Mercet in 1921. Species within this genus are known from Mexico, Sweden, and Norway based on available records. The type species Dicarnosis superba was described from Spain. At least four species are currently recognized: D. ripariensis, D. superba, D. vicina, and additional undetermined species.
Eunotidae
Eunotidae is a family of small parasitic wasps in the superfamily Chalcidoidea, elevated to family status in 2022 from the former subfamily Eunotinae of Pteromalidae. The family comprises approximately 23 genera and 17 species worldwide, with most species known as parasitoids of scale insects (Coccoidea). The taxonomic revision was based on integrated molecular, morphological, and life history data.
Eusemion
Eusemion is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, first described by Dahlbom in 1857. The genus is represented in the UCR Encyrtidae collection by specimens identified as Eusemion longipennis (Ashmead) and additional undetermined species. Encyrtidae are small chalcidoid wasps that parasitize other insects, particularly scale insects and other Hemiptera. The family is one of the most species-rich groups within Chalcidoidea, with the UCR collection containing representatives of 261 valid genera.
Euspilotus incertus
Euspilotus incertus is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Encyrtidae. The genus Euspilotus comprises small chalcidoid wasps, and this species is documented in the extensive Encyrtidae collection at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). The specific epithet "incertus" (Latin for "uncertain") suggests historical taxonomic ambiguity regarding its placement or identification. Members of this genus are known to parasitize scale insects and other homopteran pests.
Metaphycus matteolus
Metaphycus matteolus is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Encyrtidae, described by Compere in 1947. The species belongs to a genus of primary parasitoids known for attacking scale insects (Coccoidea). Like other Metaphycus species, M. matteolus is likely associated with soft scale hosts, though specific host records for this species are not well documented in available literature. The genus Metaphycus contains numerous species used in classical biological control programs against scale insect pests.
Microterys yolandae
Microterys yolandae is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Encyrtidae, described by Compere in 1926. The species is represented in the UCR Entomology Research Museum collection, which holds one of the largest Encyrtidae collections worldwide. As with other Microterys species, it likely functions as a parasitoid of scale insects (Coccoidea), though specific host records for this species remain unpublished. The species has been documented in California.
Signiphoridae
Signiphoridae is a small family of parasitoid wasps in the superfamily Chalcidoidea, containing approximately 80-88 extant species distributed across four genera: Chartocerus, Signiphora, Thysanus, and Clytina. These minute wasps function as both primary parasitoids and hyperparasitoids, primarily associated with scale insects (Diaspididae), mealybugs (Pseudococcidae), and predatory insects that feed on these hemipteran pests. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution with species recorded across multiple continents including Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Recent taxonomic work has described new species from rainforest canopy habitats and documented new distributional records for previously known species.
Stictostix californicus
Stictostix californicus is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Encyrtidae. The genus Stictostix belongs to the diverse chalcidoid wasp superfamily, a group of minute parasitoids widely used in biological control. The specific epithet 'californicus' indicates a geographic association with California. Encyrtid wasps are generally known as parasitoids of scale insects, mealybugs, and other homopteran pests, though specific host records for this species remain undocumented in the provided sources.
Tetracnemoidea
Tetracnemoidea is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, subfamily Tetracneminae. Species in this genus are known primarily from association with scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea). The genus was established by Howard in 1898. Specimens have been collected from Australia, Brazil, the Canary Islands, Madeira, and other regions.
Tetracnemus
Tetracnemus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, subfamily Tetracneminae. The genus was established by Westwood in 1837. Species in this genus are primarily known as parasitoids of scale insects (Coccoidea). The UCR Entomology Research Museum collection contains at least five species: T. americanus, T. bifasciatellus, T. heydeni, T. hofferi, and T. marilandia.
Trjapitzinellus
Trjapitzinellus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, established by Viggiani in 1967. The genus is represented in major entomological collections, with specimens documented from India, Norway, and Sweden. The type species, Trjapitzinellus microrphanos Gordh, was described from material in the UCR Encyrtidae collection. Like other encyrtids, members of this genus are presumed to be parasitoids of scale insects or other Hemiptera, though specific host associations remain poorly documented.
Zaomma
Zaomma is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), established by Ashmead in 1900. The genus contains species that are parasitoids of scale insects, with Zaomma eriococci documented as a parasitoid of eriococcid scales. Specimens have been collected from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.