Abstract
Abstract Psyllaephagus bliteuswas imported from Australia in 1999 and released in California in 2000 as part of a classical biological control program targeting the red‐gum lerp psyllid,Glycaspis brimblecombei, which in California feeds mainly on red gum,Eucalyptus camaldulensisDehnh.Psyllaephagus bliteusis an internal parasitoid that delays development until the psyllid host reaches the late fourth or fifth instar. It pupates within the remains of the host, enclosed in three distinct layers. First, parasitisedG. brimblecombeiproduce lerps with basal walls that are significantly thicker than those of unparasitised psyllids. Second, the parasitised psyllid mummifies soon afterP. bliteusbegins to pupate. Third, a highly melanised pupal sheath is produced that completely envelops the pupalP. bliteus. Photographs are provided and observations on the pupal sheath, which has seldom been described for any parasitoid, are compared with earlier descriptions. We discuss the function of each of the three layers with respect to the protection of the immobileP. bliteuspupa from the environment or natural enemies.
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