| Aphytis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Aphelinidae |
| Tribe: | Aphytini |
| Genus: | Aphytis Howard, 1900 |
| Type species | |
| Aphytis chilensis Howard, 1900
| |
| Species | |
|
See text
| |
Aphytis is a genus of chalcid wasps in the family Aphelinidae. There are about 130 species.[1]
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]
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]
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]
