Weevil-parasitoid
Guides
Blacus chillcotti
Blacus chillcotti is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae, described by van Achterberg in 1976. Members of the genus Blacus are known as parasitoids of beetle larvae, particularly those in the family Curculionidae (weevils). The species is part of the diverse ichneumonoid wasp radiation, which contains thousands of species specialized in biological control of insect pests. Specific details about B. chillcotti remain limited in published literature.
Brachistinae
Brachistinae is a subfamily of parasitoid wasps within Braconidae. Members are koinobiont endoparasitoids, primarily attacking coleopteran hosts including weevils (Curculionidae). The subfamily has undergone significant taxonomic revision: historically treated as tribes within Helconinae, then split with Blacinae, before Blacinae was synonymized under Brachistinae based on 2011 phylogenetic evidence. The genus Nealiolus has demonstrated potential as a biological control agent against pest weevils. Fossil representatives are known from late Eocene Baltic amber.
Cholomyia inaequipes
Cholomyia inaequipes is a tachinid bristle fly described by Bigot in 1884. The species is a parasitoid of weevils in the genus Conotrachelus, with documented associations to nine species including plum curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar) and hickory curculio (Conotrachelus juglandis). It occurs across North, Central, and South America.
Eutrichosoma
Eutrichosoma is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Eutrichosomatidae (Chalcidoidea). The genus is notable for its planidial first-instar larvae—highly mobile, host-seeking forms that actively locate hosts rather than being deposited directly on or in them. At least two species are recognized: E. mirabile Ashmead and E. burksi Baker & Heraty. The subfamily Eutrichosomatinae belongs to the Planidial Larva Clade within Chalcidoidea.
Eutrichosoma mirabile
Eutrichosoma mirabile is a parasitoid wasp in the family Eutrichosomatidae (Chalcidoidea) that attacks weevil larvae. The species possesses planidial larvae—mobile, morphologically specialized first-instar larvae with a cranial spine, tubercles, and cerci that actively seek and attach to host weevil larvae. Eggs are small and stalked, laid directly on top of host eggs within seed pods of whitethorn acacia. This species has been collected in southeastern Arizona and is documented from multiple U.S. states including District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, and Maryland.
Jaliscoa
Jaliscoa is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, established by Bouček in 1993. The genus was redefined in a 2013 taxonomic revision and currently includes four species: J. nudipennis (type species), J. bouceki, J. hunteri, and J. vulgaris. The most extensively studied species, J. hunteri, is a parasitoid of weevils in the genus Anthonomus, particularly the pepper weevil (A. eugenii), and has been investigated as a biological control agent. Unlike many parasitoids, J. hunteri exhibits significant host feeding behavior that contributes to pest suppression.
Microctonus
Microctonus is a genus of braconid parasitoid wasps in the subfamily Euphorinae. Species are endoparasitoids of adult beetles, primarily targeting weevils (Curculionidae) and flea beetles (Chrysomelidae). The genus contains approximately 31 species in North America and additional species globally, including several used as classical biological control agents. Notable biocontrol species include M. aethiopoides and M. hyperodae, introduced to New Zealand to control forage pests, and M. aethiops and M. vittatae, used in North American agricultural systems. Many species exhibit parthenogenetic reproduction, with M. hyperodae showing arrhenotokous parthenogenesis (males produced parthenogenetically).
Microctonus pilatus
Microctonus pilatus is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae, subfamily Euphorinae. Members of this genus are known as parasitoids of adult beetles, particularly weevils (Curculionidae). The species was described within the genus Microctonus, which has been subject to taxonomic revision and includes species used in biological control programs. Specific details about M. pilatus itself remain limited in published literature.
Nealiolus
Nealiolus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, subfamily Brachistinae. The genus comprises nine described species, with three occurring in the Neotropical region. Members are specialized parasitoids of stem-boring and fruit-boring weevils (Curculionidae), including significant agricultural pests such as the sunflower stem weevil and cotton boll weevil. The genus has recognized potential as a biological control agent due to its host specificity and high parasitism rates.
Oestrophasia
Oestrophasia is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) in the tribe Dufouriini. Members of this genus are parasitoid flies, with at least one species, Oestrophasia (Cenosoma) sabroskyi, documented as a parasitoid of weevils (Curculionidae). The genus contains six described species distributed in the New World.
Proctotrupes
Proctotrupes is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Proctotrupidae. Members of this genus are known to parasitize beetle larvae, particularly those of weevils (Curculionidae). The genus occurs primarily in the Holarctic region, with records from northern Europe.
Triaspis
Triaspis is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae. Species within this genus are biological control agents that parasitize weevil larvae and eggs, particularly those of agricultural pests. The genus includes species such as T. thoracicus, an egg-larval parasitoid of pea weevils, and T. aequoris, a larval parasitoid of sunflower seed weevils.
Vipio
Vipio is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, first described by Latreille in 1805. Species in this genus are known to parasitize beetle larvae, particularly those in the family Curculionidae (weevils). The genus occurs across northern Europe and has been documented in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.