projects->Braconidae->Fopius

Following recognition of the polyphyletic nature of Biosteres Foerster, 1862, several species were removed to Rhynchosteres Fischer, 1965, where the subgenus Fopius Wharton, 1987 was described to accomodate them.  Shortly thereafter (van Achterberg and Maetô 1990), Fopius was elevated to generic rank.  As part of the PEET project on Opiinae, we are exploring newly discovered species such as these in which the clypeal morphology is transitional between Rhynchosteres and Fopius.  In most of the other 23 valid species of Fopius, the clypeus conceals the labrum and is much more uniform in structure.  Two papers (Wharton 1999, Kimani-Njogu and Wharton 2002) have been published thus far, but most of the work is still in progress.

Several species of Fopius have been utilized for the biological control of fruit-infesting tephritid fly pests.  Our studies on the gross morphology of the ovipositor, as part of the monographic treatment of species, has enabled us to predict the host stage attacked of several species: information vital to the establishment of laboratory cultures for biological control work.  The PEET program has facilitated collaboration with groups throughout the world doing biological control of fruit-infesting tephritids.  Among the more exciting collaborations are those exploring effects of host on parasitoid morphology and possible  complexes of cryptic species in Fopius and other opiine genera.