About Microplitis demolitor

Microplitis is a genus of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae. There are more than 190 described species in Microplitis, found throughout the world.

Microplitis demolitor is a parasitoid wasp in the hymenopteran family Braconidae. It is native to eastern Australia but has been introduced into the United States as a biological control agent [1]. M. demolitor parasitizes several species of Lepidoptera that are important agricultural pests including Helicoverpa punctigera, H. armigera, and Chrysodeixis includens [1,2]. Female M. demolitor parasitize the larval stage of host species by laying one or more eggs into the body cavity (hemocoel). After hatching, wasp larvae develop by primarily feeding on blood. Usually a single mature wasp larva emerges from the host in 7-8 days to spin a cocoon and pupate followed by emergence of an adult wasp several days later.

Like most Hymenoptera, M. demolitor is haplo-diploid with unfertilized eggs developing into males and fertilized eggs developing into females [3]. M. demolitor also belongs to a complex in the family Braconidae that carry symbiotic viruses in the genus Bracovirus [4]. M. demolitor bracovirus (MdBV) persists as a provirus in every individual while replicating specifically in females. Female M. demolitor inject MdBV into hosts when laying eggs. The virus thereafter infects different cells of the host larva and expresses genes that the wasp offspring rely upon for successful development [5].

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Taxonomy ID 69319

(Text from Wikipedia and i5k.)

More information General information about this species can be found in Wikipedia

Taxonomy ID 69319

Data source Tropical Pest Genetics and Molecular Biology Research, USDA - Agricultural research service

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