Systole albipennis Walker

Taxonomic position

Insecta: Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eurytomidae

Common names

Coriander seed wasp, Parsnip seed wasp

Habitat / Crop(s) damaged

Seed wasp is an emerging problem in coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), sometimes causing 15-20% damage to the coriander seed.

The infestation starts from flowering stage and the pest remains active throughout the reproduction phase of coriander up to seed maturity. The female lays eggs inside the developing seed. The larvae feed and develop inside the seed. The colour of the infested seed looks different from normal seed because of its orange to yellow tint. The developed seed wasp exits the seed through an emergence hole.

Pest status

A major pest of coriander in Rajasthan.

Images

 Seed wasp active on coriander seed
 Adult female of the seed wasp laying eggs on coriander seed
 Infested seed with orange-yellow tint
 Exit hole on seed
 Damaged lot of coriander seeds

Credits

Fact sheet and images contributed by:

Dr. Prakash Kumar
Deputy Director, (Agronomy)-Research Wing,
Government of Rajasthan, Office of the Project Director (Agronomy),
CAD Chambal Agriculture Research Station, Nanta Farm, Kota, Rajasthan (India)

With
Dr. Nathu Lal Meena
Associate Professor (Entomology)
K.V.K , Bundi under Kota Agriculture University, Kota (Rajasthan)