Eretmocerus eremicus Rose and Zolnerowitch

Eretmocerus mundus Mercet

(Insecta: Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

Eretmocerus spp. are solitary endoparasitic wasps and key natural enemies of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci.

The minute female wasps are less than a millimeter long. They have a pale yellow head and legs, a yellowish-orange thorax and abdomen, light brown antennae, and transparent wings.

The female wasp deposits an egg underneath a suitable host nymph. All instars may be parasitized, but second instars are preferred. The hatching larva then burrows into the host and completes its development through three instars while the host remains alive. The host dies when the wasp larva pupates after about 12 days.

Eretmocerus eremicus is native species of the southern desert areas of California and Arizona and is well adapted to hot climates. Eretmocerus mundus is native to the Mediterranean region. Both species are commercially available worldwide for biocontrol of whiteflies.

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Dorsal view of adult Eretmocerus eremicus Rose and Zolnerowitch on a leaf infested with eggs and nymphs of sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci