Baryscapus servadeii (Domenichini)
(Also known as Eutetrastichus servadeii (Domenichini))
Systematic position: Insecta, Holometabola, Hymenoptera, Apocrita, Chalcidoidea, Eulophidae.
Geographical distribution: Mediterranean countries.
Morphology: Adults mostly shiny black, legs with some yellowish segments, and wings with only a single, anterior vein.
Life history: Baryscapus servadeii is an egg [parasitoid]](entry/Parasitoid) of several Lepidoptera. It reproduces mainly by thelytokous parthenogenesis, usually placing only a single egg into its host-egg. Its development is reduced at temperatures >28°C and it may undergo a 1-year diapause. This parasitoid can survive for several weeks on honeydew.
Economic importance: Along with Ooencyrtus pityocampae, B. servadeii is an important enemy of the pine pests, the processionary moths [Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni(pest/Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni) and of Thaumetopoea pityocampa. The relative abundance of these parasitoids can be determined by the number of meconia that remain in the eggs, as their meconia differ in structure. In warmer regions B. servadeii is often the dominant enemy.
References
Halperin, J. 1990. Natural enemies of Thaumetopoea spp. (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae) in Israel. Journal of Applied Entomology 109: 425-435.
Kitt, J. and Schmidt, G.H. 1993. Parasitism of egg-batches of the pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae) in the mountains of Lahav (Israel). Journal of Applied Entomology 115: 484-498.
Mirchev, P.B., Tsankov, G., Avci, M. and Matova, M. 2007. Study of some aspects of ecology of pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Den. & Schiffe.) (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae) and its egg parasitoids in Turkey. Silva Balcanica 8: 66-78.
Nasr, J., Hammad, E.A.F., Demolin, G. and Nemer, N. 2013. Eggmass structure and parasitism of Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae) in Lebanon. Advances in Crop Science and Technology 1 110.
Schmidt, G.H. and Kitt, J. 1994. Identification of meconia of two egg parasitoids of Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni. Phytoparasitica 22: 39-41.
Schmidt, G.H., Mirchev, P. and Tsankov, G. 1997. The egg parasitoids of Thaumetopoea pityocampa in the Atlas Mountains near Marrakech (Morocco). Phytoparasitica 25: 275-281.
Tiberi, R. 1990. Egg parasitoids of the pine processionary caterpillar, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Den. & Schiff.) (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae) in Italy: Distribution and activity in different areas. Journal of Applied Entomology 110: 14-18.
Tsankov, G. 1990. Egg parasitoids of the pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Den. & Schiff.) (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae) in Bulgaria: Species, importance, biology and behaviour. Journal of Applied Entomology 110: 7-13.
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