Campodorus

Taxonomy

The Campodorus genus belongs to the family Ichneumonidae and is in the subfamily Ctenopelmatinae. These parasitic wasps are characterized by their slender bodies and long ovipositors. The taxonomy of Campodorus is extensive. Campodorus species have a wide geographic range, spanning various regions worldwide. While they are particularly abundant in temperate areas, Campodorus species can be found in diverse habitats across continents such as North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Their distribution may vary among species within the genus, with some being more widespread while others have more localized ranges. 

Description

Wasps in the genus Campodorus typically exhibit a slender and elongated body structure, characteristic of many Ichneumonid wasps. They often possess dark-colored bodies, with variations in markings and coloration among species. Their antennae are usually long and segmented, aiding in sensory perception. One distinctive feature is their long ovipositors, which are used for laying eggs into host insects or plant tissues. 

Nest Structure

The nesting structure of the Ichneumon wasp genus Campodorus typically involves parasitizing the larvae of other insects. Female Campodorus wasps use their long ovipositors to deposit eggs directly into the bodies of suitable host insects, such as caterpillars or beetle larvae. Once the eggs hatch, the Campodorus larvae feed on the internal tissues of the host, eventually killing the host. The exact nesting habits may vary among species within the genus, with some preferring specific host species or habitats for oviposition.  No insect host emerged from the Bee Atlas nest that produced the Campodorus sp.

Hole Sizes

No information at this time.

Voltinism

No information at this time.

Activity Period

No information at this time.

References

Triplehorn, C.A and N.F. Johnson. 2005. Borror and DeLong's introduction to the study of insects, 7th ed. Thomson, Brooks/Cole, Australia. 

BugGuide. 2024. "Species Campodorus aenigma - BugGuide.Net." Accessed May 17, 2024. https://bugguide.net/node/view/367966

Discover Life. 2024. "Ichneumonidae." In Proceedings of the Ecological Society of America, vol. 6. Accessed May 17, 2024. https://www.discoverlife.org/proceedings/0000/6/html/Ichneumonidae.html

Sun, S.-P., et al. 2020. The species of Campodorus Förster, 1869 and a related species (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) from China. European Journal of Taxonomy 658.

Thank you to John Luhman for identifying all of our Ichneumonid specimens.