Species Cryptochetum iceryae - Cottony Cushion Scale Parasite

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Size · Identification · Range · Food · Remarks · Internet References · Works Cited

diptera: cryptochetidae - from Alameda, California - Cryptochetum iceryae

cottony cushion scale parasite? - Cryptochetum iceryae - male - female

Mystery fly - acalyptrate? Maybe a chloropid? - Cryptochetum iceryae

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

No Taxon ("Acalyptratae")

Superfamily Ephydroidea

Family Cryptochetidae (Scale Parasite Flies)

Genus Cryptochetum

Species iceryae (Cottony Cushion Scale Parasite)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Lestophonus iceryae Williston 1888

Explanation of Names

Cryptochetum iceryae (Williston 1888)

Species name refers to the name of the host

Size

~2 mm

Identification

The first flagellomere is very large, with arista reduced to a tiny apical spine. The body lacks strong bristles but is densely covered in tiny hairs.

Range

Native to Australia, intentionally introduced to California(1)

Food

host: Cottony Cushion Scale, Icerya purchasi(2)

Remarks

Introduced to CA in 1888 or 1889 to control Cottony Cushion Scale; one of the most successful examples of biological control on record(1)

Internet References

fact sheet(3)

species profile (India)

Works Cited

1.	Manual of Nearctic Diptera Volume 2 Varies for each chapter; edited by J.F. McAlpine, B.V. Petersen, G.E. Shewell, H.J. Teskey, J.R. Vockeroth, D.M. Wood. 1987. Research Branch Agriculture Canada.

2.	Cottony Cushion Scale

3.	University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program

Contributed by John F. Carr on 6 October, 2014 - 9:00pm
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset, v belov
Last updated 1 December, 2014 - 5:58pm

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