''Cephalonomia tarsalis'' is a

idiobiont In evolutionary ecology, a parasitoid is an organism that lives in close association with its host at the host's expense, eventually resulting in the death of the host. Parasitoidism is one of six major evolutionary strategies within parasiti ...

ectoparasitoid In evolutionary ecology, a parasitoid is an organism that lives in close association with its host at the host's expense, eventually resulting in the death of the host. Parasitoidism is one of six major evolutionary strategies within parasi ...

hymenoptera Hymenoptera is a large order (biology), order of insects, comprising the sawfly, sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants. Over 150,000 living species of Hymenoptera have been described, in addition to over 2,000 extinct ones. Many of the species are Par ...

n in the family

Bethylidae The Bethylidae are a family of aculeate wasps in the superfamily Chrysidoidea. As a family, their biology ranges between parasitoid wasps and hunting wasps. Overview Like most of the Chrysidoidea, the Bethylidae are stinging Hymenoptera and m ...

. Known hosts include: ''

Oryzaephilus surinamensis ''Oryzaephilus surinamensis'', the sawtoothed grain beetle, is a beetle in the superfamily ''Cucujoidea''. It is a common, worldwide pest of grain and grain products as well as chocolate, drugs, and tobacco. The species's binomial name, meaning " ...

'', ''

Sitophilus granarius The wheat weevil (''Sitophilus granarius''), also known as the grain weevil or granary weevil, is an insect that feeds on cereal grains, and is a common pest in many places. It can cause significant damage to harvested stored grains and may drasti ...

'', ''

Sitophilus oryzae ''Sitophilus'' is a genus of weevils in the tribe Litosomini. Some species are familiar as pests of stored grain, nut, or seed. Notable pest species include the rice weevil (''S. oryzae''), wheat weevil (''S. granarius''), and maize weevil (''S. ...

'', ''

Sitophilus zeamais ''Sitophilus'' is a genus of weevils in the tribe Litosomini. Some species are familiar as pests of stored grain, nut, or seed. Notable pest species include the rice weevil (''S. oryzae''), wheat weevil (''S. granarius''), and maize weevil (''S. ...

'', and ''

Tribolium castaneum The red flour beetle (''Tribolium castaneum'') is a species of beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, the darkling beetles. It is a worldwide pest of stored products, particularly food grains, and a model organism for ethological and food safety ...

''.

Biology

On ''

'', fertilized females ''C. tarsalis'' lay on average 85 eggs and non-fertilized females lay on average 50 eggs. Adult lifespan is on average 35 days for females and 6 days for males at room temperature. Adult females need to host-feed to initiate oviposition. Upon paralyzing a host (a beetle larva or pupa) the female typically lays 2 eggs (one female and one male) onto the host's body. When 2 larvae develop on the same host they develop on average in 2/3 the time required for a solitary larva to develop. The life cycle is completed in ~20 days at room temperature on ''

''. Cocoons can overwinter. Males emerge 2 days prior to females. Males enter the cocoon of pharate females to mate. A male will mate with multiple females but females mate only once.

Distribution

''Cephalonomia tarsalis'' has been reported from India, the US, and the United Kingdom.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q14624618 Hymenoptera Parasitic wasps