Scientific name: Goniozus nr. triangulifer Kieffer

Common name: Bethylid wasp

A small ant-like bethylid wasp Goniozus nr. triangulifer Kieffer A bethylid wasp paralyzing a leaffolder larva before laying its eggs Early stage parasite larvae of bethylid wasps are globular and yellow Pupation occurs beside the leaffolder larva Ovoid parasite larvae of bethylid wasps Reddish brown cocoons of bethylid wasps

Taxonomy:

Economic importance

Parasitoid.

Host

Leaffolder larvae.

Description

This black bethylid wasp is ant-like in appearance. It has a flat body with transparent wings and 13-segmented antennae.

The early stage parasitoid larva is globular and yellow.

Biology and ecology

The parasitoid enters the folded leaf to parasitize the host larva. It lays 3 to 8 eggs outside the host body.

Upon hatching, the parasitoid larvae feed externally on the leaffolder larva. By the fourth day, the infested larva becomes ovoid and is eventually killed by the parasitoid’s feeding. Reddish brown cocoons are formed on the fifth day beside the leaffolder body. The development of the parasite from egg to adult takes 10 to 14 days. The female wasp lives for 2 to 3 weeks.

Selected references

Barrion AT, Litsinger JA. 1994. Taxonomy of rice insect pests and their arthropod parasites and predators. In: Biology and management of rice insects. Manila (Philippines): International Rice Research Institute. 411 p.

Borror DJ, Delong DM, Triplehorn CA. 1976. An introduction to the study of insects. New York (USA): Holt, Rinehart, and Winston. 852 p.

Shepard BM, Barrion AT, Litsinger JA. 1987. Helpful insects, spiders, and pathogens. Manila (Philippines): International Rice Research Institute. 127 p.