|scientific name Coccophagus sp. |
Adult specimens can be found in late summer and early autumn (late August to late September) (Mader, 2011).
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.).
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).
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).
The only known prey of this species is European elm scale (Eriococcus spurius) (Mader, 2011).
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).
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