Encarsia formosa

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Subphylum	Hexapoda
Class	Insecta
Subclass	Pterygota
Infraclass	Neoptera
Superorder	Holometabola
Order	Hymenoptera
Suborder	Apocrita
Superfamily	Chalcidoidea
Family	Aphelinidae
Subfamily	Coccophaginae
Tribe	Prospaltellini
Genus	Encarsia

Scientific Name

Encarsia formosa

Common Name

whitefly parasitoid

Description

These parasitoid wasps are important biocontrol agents of many small pests, including whiteflies and aphids. Females lay their eggs inside the hosts. The larva hatches and feeds within the host, ultimately killing it and emerging as an adult. Very small - slender waist is not visible.

Distinctive Features

Adults are mostly black, with an abdomen ranging from black to yellow and pale yellow antenna.These wasps are extremely small and cannot be identified without the use of a microscope and proper taxonomic key.

Life Cycle

Several species in the family Aphelinidae attack aphids, whitefly and scale pests. Encarsia wasps specialize on parasitizing whitefly larvae. They lay one egg per host. The wasp pupates inside the whitefly larva, transforming its exoskeleton in to a black body, revealing the developing wasp within. Adults emerge from their host, killing them in the process.Related wasps parasitize aphids and turn them into golden “aphid mummies”. The adult wasp emerges from the mummy by chewing a round exit hole.

Prey

Aphids, whiteflies, scales.

Habitat

Herbaceous microhabitat where ever hosts can be found. Often used in biological control programs in greenhouses.

Floral Resources

Adults are attracted to flowers that are rich in nectar as a food source.

Distribution

Cosmopolitan.

Origin

Native and exotic.

Occurrence

Common.

Size

1 mm.

Color

Black, yellow.

As a biological control

A small wasp, Encarsia formosa, attacks and develops within immature whitefly nymphs. Introduction of this parasitic wasp has proven useful for whitefly management in warm greenhouses (average temperatures above 720F). The whitefly parasite is supplied on cards, as developing wasps within whitefly nymphs. The latter turn black when hosting this parasite.

Commercial Suppliers

Company State Country American Insectaries, Inc. CA USA ARBICO Organics AZ USA The Bug Factory, Ltd. BC Canada Buglogical Control Systems AZ USA Crop King OH USA Evergreen Growers Supply OR USA Gardens Alive IN USA Great Lakes IPM, Inc. MI USA Greenfire CA USA Green Home CA USA The Green Spot Ltd. NH USA Heaths Organic Pest Control, Greenhouse, and Nursery NH USA Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery CA USA Hummert International MO USA Hydro-Gardens CO USA Integrated Fertility Management WA USA

Company State Country International Technology Services, Inc. CO USA IPM Laboratories, Inc. NY USA Koppert Biological Systems MI USA MR Durango, Inc. Insectary CO USA Nature Insect Control (NIC) ON Canada Natural Pest Controls CA USA Natures Control OR USA Park Seed Co. SC USA Peaceful Valley Farm Supply CA USA Planet Natural MT USA Plant Products Co. Ltd. OH USA Rincon-Vitova Insectaries, Inc. CA USA Syngenta Bioline, Inc. CA USA Tip Top Bio-Control CA USA Applied Bio-Nomics BC Canada EcoSolutions, Inc. FL USA Biobest Biological Systems ON Canada