Other Erythraeidae

The collection also included 20 specimens of other species of Erythraeidae from widely scattered localities (1 Leptus, 1 Microsmaris, 5 Callidosoma, 13 Erythrites (3 species)). I have not dealt with these in detail because they are all either immatures or poor quality specimens that cannot be identified with confidence. Like most other erythraeids, these species probably have predatory adults and a larva that is a parasite on some species of invertebrate, probably an insect or spider. This complex life cycle would cause considerable biological and taxonomic problems in any attempt to consider them as biological control agents. The difficulties involved in the use of these species, and priorities for future research, have been reviewed by Welbourn (1983).