Utetes lectoides (Gahan, 1930)

Remarks
For additional information, see the Utetes page.
Taxonomic History / Nomenclature
Though treated as a synonym of Opius canaliculatus by Wharton and Marsh (1978), this western species seems to have a slightly shorter ovipositor and thus was recognized by Wharton (1997) as distinct.

This species was originally described as Opius lectoides by Gahan (1930). It was later formally transferred from Opius to Utetes by Wharton (1997). Utetes had been recognized as a subgenus of Opius by Fischer (1972) , and later elevated to generic rank by Wharton (1988). However, most of the species that attack Tephritidae were not formally transferred to Utetes until 1997, after Utetes had been redefined (Wharton 1997).

Distribution
Utetes lectoides was originally described from reared material collected in Oregon Gahan (1930). Records from eastern U.S. and Canada need verification.

Label data for specimens in the Texas A&M University Collection, determined by R. Wharton in 1983, are as follows:
4 specimens: Washington: Clark County, Battleground
5-viii-1982 to 12-x-1982
Rhagoletis zephyria from Symphoricarpos rivularis
Opius lectoides determined by R. Wharton 1983

2 specimens: Oregon: Polk County, Red Prairie Rd.
4-vii-1983 and 18-vii-1983
Host: Rhagoletis zephyria
Collected by A.M. Kelly

1 specimen: Oregon: Polk County, Red Prairie Rd.
25-viii-1983
Host: Rhagoletis zephyria on snowberry
Opius lectoides Gahan Determined by R. Wharton 1983

1 specimen: Oregon: Washington county, Tualatin
From pupa of Rhagoletis pomonella, collected September 1982
Host: Crataegus
Collected by A.M. Kelly
Emerged in lab 23-v-1983

Biology / Hosts
The material from which this species was originally described was reared from Rhagoletis zephyria Snow infesting fruits of snowberry, Symphoricarpos. It was subsequently reared from apple maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella, after the apple maggot was discovered in northwestern USA (AliNiazee 1985).
Biological Control
See AliNiazee and Brunner (1986) for suggestions for possible use in management of apple maggot in Oregon.