Adults of this genus are less than a millimetre in length. They are usually yellowish or grayish in colour, sometimes mottled. In each
antenna, the funicle is usually 3-segmented while the clava is 1-segmented. The
pronotum is divided. The
propodeum is relatively long and bears crenulae. The forewing has a well-defined linea calva.[2]
Ecology
Aphytis are
ectoparasitoids of armoured scale insects (
Diaspididae).[2] Adult female wasps lay eggs under scale covers onto the bodies of scale insects, which hatch into larvae that feed on the scales until the point of death.[3] Adult wasps also feed on scales directly (host feeding).[3][4]
Biological control
Various Aphytis species are used for biological control of armoured scales. Of these, the most polyphagous and widespread is A. chrysomphali, which has been reared from over 50 hosts.[5] Other species used in biological control are A. melinus,[3]A. lingnanensis[6] and A. holoxanthus.[7]
Aphytis wasps can be harmed by pollutants in environments where they are used, such as insecticide residues[8] and dust.[9]
Adults of this genus are less than a millimetre in length. They are usually yellowish or grayish in colour, sometimes mottled. In each
antenna, the funicle is usually 3-segmented while the clava is 1-segmented. The
pronotum is divided. The
propodeum is relatively long and bears crenulae. The forewing has a well-defined linea calva.[2]
Ecology
Aphytis are
ectoparasitoids of armoured scale insects (
Diaspididae).[2] Adult female wasps lay eggs under scale covers onto the bodies of scale insects, which hatch into larvae that feed on the scales until the point of death.[3] Adult wasps also feed on scales directly (host feeding).[3][4]
Biological control
Various Aphytis species are used for biological control of armoured scales. Of these, the most polyphagous and widespread is A. chrysomphali, which has been reared from over 50 hosts.[5] Other species used in biological control are A. melinus,[3]A. lingnanensis[6] and A. holoxanthus.[7]
Aphytis wasps can be harmed by pollutants in environments where they are used, such as insecticide residues[8] and dust.[9]