Meteorus versicolor (Wesmael)
(Formerly known as Meteorus unicolor (Wesmael)
Systematic position: Insecta, Holometabola, Hymenoptera, Apocrita, Chalcidoidea. Braconidae.
Geographical distribution: Middle and Far East, Europe, Eastern USA and Canada.
Morphology: Body and legs mostly dark-orange, eyes black, posterior part of thorax and anterior part of abdomen also black, antennae very long, almost as long as body.
. Hosts: Various Lepidoptera.
Life history: A parasitoid of larvae of members of 14 lepidopteran families. Its longevity comes to 1-2 weeks when supplied with honey. In cooler climates it overwinters as an egg within the body of its larval host.
Economic importance: On certain pests, like Euproctis chrysorrhoea, parasitization rates by M. versicolor may come to 37-45 %, and thus it is considered an important natural enemy.
References
Eroğlu, M. 2003. Yearly life cycle of Meteorus versicolor (Wesmeal) on Euproctis chrysorrhoea (L.). Proceedings of the 12th World Forestry Congress, Quebec City, Canada.
Frankhanel, H. 1958. Meteorus versicolor Wesm. als Parasit von Euproctis chrysorrhoea L. und Thaumetopoea processionea und seine Einsatzmoglichkeiten. Transactions, First International Conference of Insect Pathology and Biological Control, Praha 1958, 415-420.
Kerimova, I.G.G. 1998. The behavioural abilities of Meteorus versicolor Wesm. and Rogas rossicus Kok. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) parasitoids of Taphrina arenacearia Den. et Schiff. (Lepidoptera, Geometridae). Turkish Journal of Zoology 22: 231-236.
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