Siricidae-parasitoid

Guides

• Ibalia

  Ibalia is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ibaliidae, comprising approximately 13-14 described species. All species are specialized parasitoids of siricid woodwasps (family Siricidae), attacking the larval stages of their hosts within dead or decaying wood. Females locate host larvae by detecting volatile compounds emitted by symbiotic fungi that siricids cultivate for nutrition. The genus is notable for its laterally compressed abdomen, giving a distinctive flattened appearance, and for its role as a biological control agent against invasive woodwasps such as Sirex noctilio.

  parasitoidwoodwasp-parasitoidbiological-controlforest-insectCynipoideaproovigenicolfactory-foragingcuticular-hydrocarbonesalkane-pheromonesSiricidae-parasitoidAmylostereumCerrenavolatileshost-finding-behaviorpatch-foragingcon-specific-interferenceflight-capacitylaterally-compressed-abdomenIbalia-ancepsIbalia-leucospoidesIbalia-drewseniIbalia-japonicaIbalia-rufipesIbalia-ruficollis