Telenomus dignus
Telenomus dignus
Telenomus dignus is a parasitoid wasp, laying its eggs in the pupae of other insects. The wasp larvae feed on the pupae of the host insect so destroying the pupae and the next generation of the host insect.
A solitary, primary endoparasitoid Telenomus dignus lives on the eggs of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) associated with
- grass crops (Poaceae)
- rice (Oryza sativa)
- sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)
Telenomus dignus, working alongside another species (Trichogramma chilonis), can aid the pest control of the sugarcane top borer Scirpophaga nivella, so protecting the sugarcane crop.
Species detail
Distinguishing characteristics
Telenomus dignus can be distinguished from the other species in the Telenomus genus by the following combination of characters
- Metasomal tergum 1 - strongly ridged
- Metasomal tergum 2 - equally broad at the base and apex; metasoma slightly more than 2x its greatest width;
- Mesosoma only slightly longer than broad, not noticeably elongate
- Female and male antennae
- Male genitalia
- Proportions of eyes to head
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Biology
Find out about the size of Telenomus dignus and commonalities in its hosts. Learn about the behaviour of the ovipositing female.
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Biological control
Find out how Telenomus dignus, when working alongside another parasitoid species (Trichogramma chilonis), can assist pest control.
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Identification
Learn about the genus to which Telenomus dignus belongs, the other species within this genus and how Telenomus dignus can be distinguished from them.
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Hosts
Find out which species are hosts to Telenomus dignus.
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Distribution
Discover where to find Telenomus dignus.
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References
Get reference material for Telenomus dignus.
Images
Images showing the physical characteristics which are used to distinguish Telenomus dignus from the other species in the Telenomus genus.
An electron micrograph showing strongly ridged metasomal tergum 1 of a female Telenomus dignus.
© A Polaszek
An electron micrograph showing the distinguishing metasomal tergum 2 of a female Telenomus dignus, equally broad at the base and apex and slightly more than 2x its greatest width.
© A Polaszek
An electron micrograph showing the distinguishing Mesosoma of a female Telenomus dignus , only slightly longer than broad and not noticeably elongate.
© A Polaszek
An electron micrograph showing the distinguishing antenna of a Telenomus dignus female.
© A Polaszek
An electron micrograph showing the distinguishing antenna of a Telenomus dignus male.
© A Polaszek
An electron micrograph showing the distinguishing genitalia of a male Telenomus dignus.
© A Polaszek
An electron micrograph showing a dorsal view of the distinguishing proportion of eyes to head in a female Telenomus dignus.
© A Polaszek
An electron micrograph showing a facial view of the distinguishing proportion of eyes to head in a female Telenomus dignus.
© A PolaszekAbout the author
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Glossary
Parasitoid
An organism that, during its development, lives in or on the body of a single host individual, eventually killing that individual.
Endoparasitoid
Is a parasitoid that lives inside another animal and ultimately kills it. Endoparasitoids, such as some solitary wasps, are commonly used as biological control agents.