Agathidinae is a
subfamily of
braconid
The Braconidae are a family of parasitoid wasps. After the closely related Ichneumonidae, braconids make up the second-largest family in the order Hymenoptera, with about 17,000 recognized species and many thousands more undescribed. One analysis ...
parasitoid wasp
Parasitoid wasps are a large group of hymenopteran superfamilies, with all but the wood wasps (Orussoidea) being in the wasp-waisted Apocrita. As parasitoids, they lay their eggs on or in the bodies of other arthropods, sooner or later causin ...
s. Some species have been used in
biological control
Biological control or biocontrol is a method of controlling pests, such as insects, mites, weeds, and plant diseases, using other organisms. It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms, but typically also i ...
programs.
Description and distribution
Agathidines are among the larger and more colorful braconids.
Diurnal members of this subfamily often possess
aposematic
Aposematism is the advertising by an animal to potential predators that it is not worth attacking or eating. This unprofitability may consist of any defences which make the prey difficult to kill and eat, such as toxicity, venom, foul taste o ...
coloration. They belong to the
noncyclostome group.
They are found worldwide, but are more diverse in the tropics.
Biology
All Agathidinae are koinobiont endoparasitoids of
caterpillars. Most attack concealed caterpillars, such as those that use silk to tie leaves together. Most are solitary, laying only one egg in each host caterpillar. Some species are nocturnal, with pale coloration and large
ocelli
A simple eye (sometimes called a pigment pit) refers to a form of eye or an optical arrangement composed of a single lens and without an elaborate retina such as occurs in most vertebrates. In this sense "simple eye" is distinct from a multi-l ...
.
Genera
Genera placed here include:
* ''
Agathirsia''
* ''
Agathis''
* ''
Aerophilus
''Aerophilus'' is a genus of parasitoid wasps belonging to the family Braconidae. As members of the subfamily Agathidinae, they are koinobiont endoparasitoids of caterpillars. The host is attacked as an early instar, but not consumed and killed ...
''
* ''
Alabagrus''
* ''
Amputoearinus''
* ''
Aneurobracon'' (formerly in
Orgilinae)
* ''
Austroearinus''
* ''
Bassus'' (
polyphyletic
A polyphyletic group is an assemblage of organisms or other evolving elements that is of mixed evolutionary origin. The term is often applied to groups that share similar features known as homoplasies, which are explained as a result of conver ...
)
* ''
Balcenema''
* ''
Biroia''
* ''
Braunsia''
* ''
Coccygidium''
* ''
Crassomicrodus''
* ''
Cremnops''
Foerster, 1862
* ''
Cremnoptoides''
* ''
Disophrys''
* ''
Earinus''
* ''
Euagathis''
* ''
Facilagathis''
* ''
Gyrochus''
* ''
Hemichoma''
* ''
Holcotroticus''
* ''
Hypsostypos''
* ''
Liopisa''
* ''
Lytopylus''
* ''
Macroagathis''
Szépligeti, 1908
* ''
Marjoriella''
* ''
Mesocoelus'' (formerly in Orgilinae)
* ''
Monophrys''
* ''
Oreba''
* ''
Pelmagathis''
* ''
Platyagathis''
* ''
Protroticus''
van Achterberg, 1988
* ''
Pseudocremnops''
* ''
Sesioctonus''
* ''
Troticus''
Brullé, 1846
* ''
Zacremnops''
* ''
Zamicrodus''
* ''
Zelomorpha''
References
External links
Photos on BugGuideDNA barcodes at BOLD systems
Braconidae
Apocrita subfamilies
{{Ichneumonoidea-stub