Heteropelma

Heteropelma is a genus of parasitoid wasps belonging to the family Ichneumonidae.[1] Species in this genus are around 25 mm in length.[2]

Heteropelma
Heteropelma megarthrum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Ichneumonidae
Tribe: Gravenhorstiini
Genus: Heteropelma
Wesmael, 1849

Reproduction

Heteropelma adults lay their eggs inside Lepidopteran larvae (i.e. caterpillars) by piercing them with their ovipositor. Heteropelma eggs consist of an equatorial disc and a caudal stalk, making them look a bit like the cartoon oil lamp from Aladdin. It's thought that the shape is adapted to attach the egg to the inside of the caterpillar's integument.[3] Once the eggs hatch, the larvae consume the caterpillar from the inside. They emerge from the deceased caterpillar as adults.[2]

Species

  • Heteropelma amictum
  • Heteropelma fulvitarse
  • Heteropelma megarthrum
  • Heteropelma signatum
  • Heteropelma szepligetii

References

  1. "Heteropelma Wesmael, 1849". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  2. Gauld, I. D. (1976). "THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE ANOMALONINAE HYMENOPTERA ICHNEUMONIDAE". Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Entomology. 33: 1–135.
  3. Tothill, John D. (1922). The natural control of the fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea Drury) in Canada : together with an account of its several parasites. Ottawa: F.A. Acland, King's Printer.
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