Coccobius fulvus (Compere & Annecke)

(Insecta: Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

Coccobius fulvus parasitizes scales in the Diaspididae family also known as armored scales.

Adult wasps are less than 2 mm long. Head, body, and legs are orange-brown, and antennae are dark brown with a yellow central segment.

The female wasp lays eggs inside second instars as well as adult females of cycad aulacaspis scales. The larvae then feed on the host tissue as they develop inside the scale. After pupating, the adult parasitoid chews an exit hole and emerges from the dead scale. Development of the parasitoid from egg to adult takes on average 21 days.

Native to Thailand, Coccobius fulvus first was released in Florida for control of cycad aulacaspis scales in 1998. This small wasp now is widespread throughout South Florida. Parasitism of cycad aulacaspis scales by Coccobius fulvus can reach 10 to 40 percent per infested plant.

Images 

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Coccobius fulvus (Compere & Annecke) wasp probing its host, cycad aulacaspis scale, Aulacaspis yasumatsui

(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)

Lateral view of adult Coccobius fulvus (Compere & Annecke) on its host, cycad aulacaspis scale, Aulacaspis yasumatsui

(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)

Dorsal view of adult Coccobius fulvus (Compere & Annecke) on its host, cycad aulacaspis scale, Aulacaspis yasumatsui

(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)