Parasitization rate of Homalotylus eytelweinii (Ratzeburg) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) on the larvae of sevenspotted lady beetle
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The sevenspotted lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is one of the most common and ecologically important predators. It was observed that some larvae in the field remained dormant and did not progress to the pupal stage. To investigate this, the larvae of C. septempunctata were collected from plants and reared in the laboratory. A parasitoid species belonging to the family Encyrtidae emerged from these larvae. This species was identified as Homalotylus eytelweinii (Ratzeburg) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), representing the first record of this parasitoid in Türkiye. To assess parasitism rates, young larvae were collected from four locations in Uşak province in Türkiye and reared between 2021 and 2023. Examination revealed parasitism rates of 7.2%, 4.8%, and 6.6% in the first, second, and third years, respectively. Homalotylus eytelweinii is known to be gregarious. Examination of parasitoids confirmed this, with an average of 6.16 ± 1.26 parasitoids emerging per larva and an average of 5.25 ± 0.66 exit holes observed per larva. The study also provides a diagnosis of H. eytelweinii, supported by diagnostic illustrations, thereby contributing valuable information for the identification and study of this parasitoid species.
Author: Gülcan Tarla
Institution: Usak University
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7172019331