page_title: Trogus (wasp)
section_title: Biology
hierarchical_section_title: Trogus (wasp) / Biology
caption_attribution_description: English: "1–4 Sequence in the emergence process of Trogus lapidator (Fabricius) from Papilio machaon Linnaeus (Papilionidae)."
context_page_description: Trogus is a genus of parasitoid wasp found in the Holarctic and Neotropic regions. It is placed in the subfamily Ichneumoninae. Trogus species are parasites of larvae and pupae of the swallowtail butterfly family, Papilionidae. The genus consists of twelve extant and one extinct species.
context_section_description: Trogus select the pupae and larvae of swallowtail butterflies as hosts. The hosts are specifically limited to the tribes Graphiini and Papilionini within the subfamily Papilioninae. However, many species within these tribes are not parasitized by Trogus species; systematic gaps are thought to be a result of plant chemistry in the preferred food for various swallowtail larvae. The butterfly genera with the most reliable host records for Trogus are Papilio and Eurytides. Trogus species vary in how specialized they are, ranging from having one to ten possible swallowtail hosts. The host caterpillars are commonly collected by lepidopterists, amateur and professional, leading to confidence in host range delineation.
  All Trogus species are thought to have a similar biology. One egg is laid per larva; some species like T. pennator or T. lapidator can lay their eggs in caterpillars as early as the first instar. Trogus species make their emergence hole by secreting a fluid which softens the pupa cuticle. They emerge as adults through the wing pad creating a distinctive lateral hole; this emergence location is apomorphic for the Trogus subgroup. Diapause, extended diapause, and lack of diapause have all been observed.
caption: T. lapidator emerging from a Papilio machaon pupa
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