Species Details

Coccophagus sp.

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

SeasonalityAdult specimens can be found in late summer and early autumn (late August to late September) (Mader, 2011). IdentificationLike other Coccophagous wasps, this species is very small. Females are less than 2 mm long, and males are around 1 mm long. The body is black, and the legs a pale yellow. The species lacks the bright yellow scutellum characteristic of many other species within the genus Coccophagus. The mesoscutellum (the dorsal portion of the mesonotum) is densely setose, which places the species within the Malthusi group of Coccophagus wasps (J. Mottern, 2011, pers. comm.).

Scientific Name Coccophagus sp. Habitat Urban. Seasonality Adult specimens can be found in late summer and early autumn (late August to late September) (Mader, 2011). Identification
Like other Coccophagous wasps, this species is very small. Females are less than 2 mm long, and males are around 1 mm long. The body is black, and the legs a pale yellow. The species lacks the bright yellow scutellum…
Like other Coccophagous wasps, this species is very small. Females are less than 2 mm long, and males are around 1 mm long. The body is black, and the legs a pale yellow. The species lacks the bright yellow scutellum characteristic of many other species within the genus Coccophagus. The mesoscutellum (the dorsal portion of the mesonotum) is densely setose, which places the species within the Malthusi group of Coccophagus wasps (J. Mottern, 2011, pers. comm.).
Life History
Very little is known about this species. It is a parasitoid of European elm scale (Eriococcus spurius). Eggs are presumably laid in the scale insect at some point during its development. What is known is that the…
Very little is known about this species. It is a parasitoid of European elm scale (Eriococcus spurius). Eggs are presumably laid in the scale insect at some point during its development. What is known is that the adults emerge from already dead scale insect casings in late August through late September, and that parasitism rate can reach nearly 100% of adult scales at this time of year. Other hosts, overwintering behaviour, and the number of generations per year is unknown (Mader, 2011).
Conservation
Due to the limited knowledge of the insect, it is impossible to tell whether it is at risk or if it has important environmental impact. However, as a predator of a pest insect (E. spurius), it may be susceptible to…
Due to the limited knowledge of the insect, it is impossible to tell whether it is at risk or if it has important environmental impact. However, as a predator of a pest insect (E. spurius), it may be susceptible to pesticides, specifically imidacloprid, which is used throughout the Calgary to control E. spurius, on public trees (Mader, 2011).
Diet Info The only known prey of this species is European elm scale (Eriococcus spurius) (Mader, 2011). Range
All specimens of this species were found in a single park in the community of Elboya, in Calgary, Alberta in 2011, except for a single specimen collected from another park in Edgemont, Calgary, Alberta, in 2005…
All specimens of this species were found in a single park in the community of Elboya, in Calgary, Alberta in 2011, except for a single specimen collected from another park in Edgemont, Calgary, Alberta, in 2005 (Mader, 2011).
Coccophagus sp.
Coccophagus sp.

Citation

Page Citation for Coccophagus sp.

Page Citation

"Species Details - Coccophagus sp., University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-38249. Accessed 05 May. 2024.

Authorship

Name Mader, C.
Role species page author

References

Specimen Information

There are 9 specimens of this Species.

9 results plotted on map in 1 marker.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM327978 - Coccophagus sp.

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary Collected ByMader, C. Date Collected2011-09-04

UASM327979 - Coccophagus sp.

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary Collected ByMader, C. Date Collected2011-08-23

UASM333645 - Coccophagus sp.

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary Collected ByMader, C. Date Collected2011-09-10

UASM333646 - Coccophagus sp.

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary Collected ByMader, C. Date Collected2011-08-23

UASM333647 - Coccophagus sp.

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary Collected ByMader, C. Date Collected2011-09-06

UASM333648 - Coccophagus sp.

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary Collected ByMader, C. Date Collected2011-08-23

UASM333649 - Coccophagus sp.

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary Collected ByMader, C. Date Collected2011-08-23

UASM333650 - Coccophagus sp.

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary Collected ByMader, C. Date Collected2011-09-06

UASM333651 - Coccophagus sp.

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary Collected ByMader, C. Date Collected2011-09-03

Adult Seasonal Distribution