plutellae

Plutellae is not a standalone taxon but a Latin-derived species epithet used in the scientific names of several organisms. In zoological nomenclature, epithets such as plutellae are appended to a genus name to form a species name and often reflect some association with the host or a related genus. The epithet commonly signals a link to Plutella, the genus that includes the well-known diamondback moth.

The best-known use of plutellae as a species epithet is in Cotesia plutellae, a braconid wasp that parasitizes the larvae of Plutella xylostella, the diamondback moth. Cotesia plutellae is considered a biological control agent and is used in integrated pest management programs to reduce damage to crucifer crops such as cabbage and broccoli. The female wasp lays eggs inside the caterpillar host, and the emerging parasitoid larvae ultimately kill the host.

The epithet plutellae may appear in other species names across various invertebrate groups, serving as an indicator of association with Plutella rather than implying a direct taxonomic relationship to that genus. Etymologically, plutellae is formed from the genus name Plutella with the Latin feminine suffix -ae.

In summary, plutellae functions as a taxonomic epithet in multiple species names, with Cotesia plutellae being the most prominent example due to its role in biological control of the diamondback moth. Related context can be found in entries on Plutella xylostella and the family Plutellidae.