Encarsia inaron
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Aphelinidae
Subfamily: Coccophaginae
Genus: Encarsia
Species:
E. inaron
Binomial name
Encarsia inaron
(Walker, 1839)
Synonyms

Aphelinus inaron Walker, 1839[1]
Aphelinus idaeus Walker, 1839[1]
Encarsia indifferentis Mercet, 1929[2]
Encarsia partenopea Masi, 1909[1]
Trychaporus aleyrodis Mercet, 1930[1]

Encarsia inaron is a parasitoid wasp used in the control of ash whitefly, Siphoninus phillyreae. The ash whitefly is an insect from Europe that feeds on the sap of plants, and which has become a pest in North America.[3][4] E. inaron was acquired from Italy and Israel and brought to California in 1989.[3]

Appearance

Encarsia inaron are very tiny wasps measuring approximately 0.5 millimetres (0.020 in), thus requiring a magnifying glass for better visibility. Unlike like most wasps, they do not have a stinger. Males and females can be distinguished based on their body color patterns. Both adult males and females possess black head and eyes and clear wings, but females display a yellow abdomen while males display a black one.[3]

Habitat

These wasps are mostly found in woody shrubs and trees.[4]

Life cycle

An adult E. inaron deposits its eggs on the ash whitefly, where it develops inside. Inside the abdomen of the ash whitefly, the larvae begins to grow and have a sickle-shape. Before the end of development, the adult E inaron bursts out of the ash whitefly, thereby killing it. Maturation takes roughly three weeks.[3]

Usefulness

Prior to the introduction of E.inaron in California, ash whitefly infestation was pervasive. Ash, pear, and ornamental trees were naked, for leaves have fallen to the ground. Beginning in 1989 when the parasitoid wasps were established, ash whitefly population declined significantly. Within two years, ash whiteflies were virtually eliminated. As a result, it saved cities money from being spent on managing ash whitefly infestation.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Schauff, Michael E.; Evans, Gregory A. (1996). "A pictorial guide to the species of Encarsia (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) parasitic on whiteflies (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in North America" (PDF). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 98: 1–35. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 October 2004. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  2. ↑ Polaszek, A.; Abd-Rabou, S.; Huang, J. (1999). "The Egyptian species of Encarsia (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae): a preliminary review". Zoologische Mededelingen. 73 (6): 131–163. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Pickett, Charles H. (1999). "Encarsia inaron (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)". In Weeden, Catherine R.; Shelton, Anthony; Hoffmann, Michael P. (eds.). Biological Control: a Guide to Natural Enemies in North America. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012.
  4. 1 2 Bellows, Tom S.; Paine, Timothy D.; Gould, Juli R.; Bezark, Larry G.; Ball, Joe C.; Bentley, Walt; Coviello, Richard L.; Downer, Jim; Elam, Pam; Flaherty, Don; Gouveia, Patty; Koehler, Carl; Molinar, Richard H.; O'Connell, Neil V.; Perry, Ed & Vogel, Greg (1992). "Biological control of ash whitefly: a success in progress". California Agriculture. 46 (1): 24–28. doi:10.3733/ca.v046n01p24.
  5. ↑ Dreistadt, Steve H.; Flint, Mary Louise (1995). "Ash whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) overwintering and biological control by Encarsia inaron (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) in northern California". Environmental Entomology. 24 (2): 459–464. doi:10.1093/ee/24.2.459. Abstract
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