Encarsia perplexa Huang & Polaszek

(Insecta: Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

Encarsia perplexa is an effective specialist endoparasitoid of the citrus blackfly, Aleurocanthus woglumi.

Adults are minute wasps, just 1.1 mm long, with a yellowish brown body, a darker posterior abdomen, and transparent wings. Their antennae are long, measuring at least two thirds of their body length.

Females lay individual fertilized eggs into host nymphs, and these eggs develop into females inside the host. Unfertilized eggs from virgin females are laid into larvae of their own species and develop into males. The parasitoid’s life cycle is completed in 30 to 35 days.

Native to Asia, this parasitoid was introduced to several countries including the United States (Texas and Florida) as a biocontrol agent against citrus blackfly. Populations in Florida occur in southern and central regions of the state.

Images 

To save the Web-optimized images shown below to your hard drive:

PC users: right click to "Save Picture (or Image) As..."

Mac users: click and drag to your desktop.

Mummified citrus blackfly, Aleurocanthus woglumi, pupa with exit hole caused by emergence of Encarsia perplexa Huang & Polaszek

(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)

Adult Encarsia perplexa Huang & Polaszek (right) and adult citrus blackfly, Aleurocanthus woglumi, host (left)

(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)

Adult Encarsia perplexa Huang & Polaszek (center) between citrus blackfly, Aleurocanthus woglumi, adult (left) and citrus blackfly egg mass (right)

(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)

Adult Encarsia perplexa Huang & Polaszek (center) foraging a citrus leaf infested with citrus blackfly, Aleurocanthus woglumi

(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)