Opius downesi Gahan, 1919

Remarks
See the Opius page for additional information. This is a color-variable species as indicated by the figures below.
2862_mximage
1. Opius downesi face: ante...
2868_mximage
2. Opius downesi habitus: l...
2870_mximage
3. Opius downesi habitus: later...
10048_mximage
4. Opius downesi body: lateral...
2863_mximage
5. Opius downesi win...
2860_mximage
6. Opius downesi a...
2874_mximage
7. Opius downesi...
2861_mximage
8. Opius downesi face: anterior...
 
Taxonomic History / Nomenclature
Opius downesi (Gahan, 1919)
Opius berberidis Fischer, 1964 is a synonym (Marsh 1974).
Diagnosis and Relationships
This species is characterized by the form of the clypeus and mandibles, which are very much like those found in members of the genus Biosteres. The clypeus is large, concealing the labrum (Fig. 8 above) and the mandibles have a large basal lobe or tooth (Fig. 1 above).
Distribution
Occurs all across northern U.S. and southern Canada, originally described from British Columbia.
Biology / Hosts
Opius downesi has been reared from four species of Rhagoletis: Rhagoletis berberis, Rhagoletis pomonella, Rhagoletis tabellaria, and Rhagoletis zephyria (Wharton and Marsh 1978, Maier 1981, AliNiazee 1985).
Biological Control
See AliNiazee and Brunner (1986) for suggestions for possible use in management of apple maggot in Oregon.