Psyttalia lounsburyi (Silvestri, 1913)
Taxonomic History / Nomenclature
Originally described in the genus Opius, and later placed by Fischer (1987) in the subgenus Psyttalia. Psyttalia was subsequently elevated to generic rank by Wharton (1987). The combination Psyttalia lounsburyi (Silvestri, 1913) dates from Wharton (1987) and Wharton (1988), who transferred all members of the concolor species group (as defined by Wharton and Gilstrap 1983) to Psyttalia. Wharton (2009) discussed species-group placement of this and other African species of Psyttalia. Molecular work on this species was done by Bon (2008).
Diagnosis and Relationships
Wharton (1997) included this species in Psyttalia, but did not assign it to a particular species group.
Biology / Hosts
Psyttalia lounsburyi has been reared from field-collected olives, where the only confirmed host has been Bactrocera oleae (Rossi). No other wild or cultivated host plants are known.
Biology and Behavior
Unpublished work by Samira Mohamed suggests that this species oviposits primarily in third instar larvae. Some biological information has recently been published by Daane et al. (2008) as part of the biological control introductions to California to combat olive fly.
Distribution
Originally described from Transvaal in South Africa; subsequently collected in Kenya (Copeland et al. 2004).
Distribution
Native
Map
There are no specimens currently determined for this OTU, or those specimens determined for this OTU are not yet mappable.
Remarks
