Eurytoma amygdali

Eurytoma amygdali
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Eurytomidae
Genus: Eurytoma
Species:
E. amygdali
Binomial name
Eurytoma amygdali
Enderlein, 1907

Eurytoma amygdali, or the almond seed wasp, is a species of wasp in the family Eurytomidae which is native to Mediterranean areas, and parts of former Soviet Union.[1]

Diet and ecology

E. amygdali is considered a pest in most of its range, especially in northern Greek districts Thessaloniki and Chalkidiki because they insert their ovaries into almond seeds.[1][2]

The wasp larvae overwinter within the blackened almond seeds.[3]

Adult

The adult male has a length of 4โ€“6 mm and the female 6โ€“8 mm. Its body is glossy/shiny black and its legs have a lighter colour.

References

  1. ^ a b "Eurytoma amygdali". Archived from the original on 2021-11-09. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
  2. ^ "Eurytoma". cabi.org. CABI Compendium: 23444. 2021. doi:10.1079/cabicompendium.23444. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
  3. ^ Kouloussis, Nikos A.; Katsoyannos, Byron I. (1 July 1995). "Distribution and Activities of Eurytoma amygdali (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) Wasps on Almond Trees". Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 88 (4): 547โ€“553. doi:10.1093/aesa/88.4.547.