Microgastrinae is a
subfamily
In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...
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 ...
wasps, encompassing almost 3,000 described species, with an estimated 30,000–50,000 total species.
This makes it one of the richest subfamilies with the most species of
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.
Genera
These 84 genera belong to the subfamily Microgastrinae:
[
* '' Agupta'' Fernandez-Triana, 2018
* '' Alloplitis'' Nixon, 1965
* '' Alphomelon'' Mason, 1981
* '' Apanteles'' Förster, 1862
* '' Austinicotesia'' Fernandez-Triana, 2018
* '' Austrocotesia'' Austin & Dangerfield, 1992
* '']Beyarslania
''Beyarslania'' is a genus of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae. There is at least one described species in ''Beyarslania'', ''B. insolens'', found in Africa.
References
Microgastrinae
{{ichneumonoidea-stub ...
'' Koçak & Kemal, 2009
* '' Billmasonius'' Fernandez-Triana, 2018
* '' Buluka'' de Saeger, 1948
* '' Carlmuesebeckius'' Fernandez-Triana, 2018
* '' Chaoa'' Luo & You, 2004
* '' Choeras'' Mason, 1981
* ''Clarkinella
''Clarkinella'' is a genus of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae
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 ...
'' Mason, 1981
* '' Cotesia'' Cameron, 1891
* '' Cuneogaster'' Choi & Whitfield, 2006
* '' Dasylagon'' Muesebeck, 1958
* '' Deuterixys'' Mason, 1981
* ''Diolcogaster
''Diolcogaster'' is a genus of parasitoid wasps within the subfamily Microgastrinae of the family Braconidae. The genus is poorly studied, likely with multiple undescribed species. The type species is ''Diolcogaster melligaster'' (Provancher, 1 ...
'' Ashmead, 1900
* '' Distatrix'' Mason, 1981
* '' Dodogaster'' Rousse, 2013
* '' Dolichogenidea'' Viereck, 1911
* ''Eripnopelta
''Eripnopelta'' is a genus of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae
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 ...
'' Chen, 2017
* '' Exix'' Mason, 1981
* '' Exoryza'' Mason, 1981
* ''Exulonyx
''Exulonyx'' is a genus of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae
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 17,00 ...
'' Mason, 1981
* '' Fornicia'' Brullé, 1846
* ''Gilbertnixonius
''Gilbertnixonius'' is a genus of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae. There is at least one described species in ''Gilbertnixonius'', ''G. biem'', found in Thailand
Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially ...
'' Fernandez-Triana, 2018
* ''Glyptapanteles
''Glyptapanteles'' is a genus of endoparasitoid wasps found in Central and North America and New Zealand. The larvae of the members of ''Glyptapanteles sp.'' are distinguished by their ability to manipulate their hosts into serving as bodyguards ...
'' Asmead, 1904
* '' Hygroplitis'' Thomson, 1895
* ''Hypomicrogaster
''Hypomicrogaster'' is a genus of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae
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 abou ...
'' Ashmead, 1898
* '' Iconella'' Mason, 1981
* '' Illidops'' Mason, 1981
* ''Janhalacaste
''Janhalacaste'' is a genus of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae
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 1 ...
'' Fernandez-Triana, 2018
* '' Jenopappius'' Fernandez-Triana, 2018
* '' Jimwhitfieldius'' Fernandez-Triana, 2018
* '' Keylimepie'' Fernández-Triana, 2016
* '' Kiwigaster'' Fernández-Triana, Whitfield & Ward, 2011
* ''Kotenkosius
''Kotenkosius'' is a genus of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae. There is at least one described species in ''Kotenkosius'', ''K. tricarinatus'', found in Indomalaya
The Indomalayan realm is one of the eight biogeographic realms. I ...
'' Fernandez-Triana, 2018
* '' Larissimus'' Nixon, 1965
* '' Lathrapanteles'' Williams, 1985
* '' Mariapanteles'' Whitfield & Fernández-Triana, 2012
* ''Markshawius
''Markshawius'' is a genus of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae. There are at least three described species in ''Markshawius''.
Species
These three species belong to the genus ''Markshawius'':
* ''Markshawius erucidoctus'' Fernandez-Triana ...
'' Fernandez-Triana, 2018
* ''Microgaster
''Microgaster'' is a genus of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae. There are more than 100 described species in ''Microgaster'', found throughout most of the world.
See also
* List of Microgaster species
These 104 species belong to the ge ...
'' Latreille, 1804
* '' Microplitis'' Förster, 1862
* '' Miropotes'' Nixon, 1965
* '' Napamus'' Papp, 1993
* '' Neoclarkinella'' Rema & Narendran, 1996
* ''Nyereria
''Nyereria'' is a genus of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae. There are around 30 described species in ''Nyereria''. Most species are found in Africa, a few in Asia.
Species
These 29 species belong to the genus ''Nyereria'':
* ''Nyereria ...
'' Mason, 1981
* '' Ohenri'' Fernandez-Triana, 2018
* '' Papanteles'' Mason, 1981
* ''Parapanteles
''Parapanteles'' is a genus of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae
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 1 ...
'' Ashmead, 1900
* ''Parenion
''Parenion'' is a genus of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae. There are at least three described species in ''Parenion'', found in Australasia.
Species
These three species belong to the genus ''Parenion'':
* ''Parenion beelaronga'' Austin ...
'' Nixon, 1965
* '' Paroplitis'' Mason, 1981
* ''Pelicope
''Pelicope'' is a genus of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae. There is at least one described species in ''Pelicope'', ''P. yuccamica'', found in California.
References
Further reading
*
*
*
Microgastrinae
{{ichneumono ...
'' Mason, 1981
* '' Philoplitis'' Nixon, 1965
* '' Pholetesor'' Mason, 1981
* '' Prasmodon'' Nixon, 1965
* '' Promicrogaster'' Brues & Richardson, 1913
* '' Protapanteles'' Ashmead, 1898
* '' Protomicroplitis'' Ashmead, 1898
* '' Pseudapanteles'' Ashmead, 1898
* '' Pseudofornicia'' van Achterberg, 2015
* '' Pseudovenanides'' Xiao & You, 2002
* '' Qrocodiledundee'' Fernandez-Triana, 2018
* '' Rasivalva'' Mason, 1981
* '' Rhygoplitis'' Mason, 1981
* ''Sathon
Sathon or Sathorn ( th, สาทร, ) is one of the 50 districts (''khet'') of Bangkok, Thailand. The district is bounded by six other districts (from north clockwise): Bang Rak, Pathum Wan, Khlong Toei, Yan Nawa, Bang Kho Laem, and Khlon ...
'' Mason, 1981
* '' Semionis'' Nixon, 1965
* '' Sendaphne'' Nixon, 1965
* ''Shireplitis
''Shireplitis'' is a genus of braconid wasps native to New Zealand. Individuals range from 1.8 to 2.4 mm in body length. Five of the six known species occur on South Island, and one on the North Island. The genus name derives from the Shire, ...
'' Fernández-Triana & Wardan Achterberg, 2013
* '' Silvaspinosus'' Fernandez-Triana, 2018
* '' Snellenius'' Westwood 1882
* '' Tobleronius'' Fernandez-Triana, 2018
* '' Ungunicus'' Fernandez-Triana, 2018
* '' Venanides'' Mason, 1981
* ''Venanus
''Venanus'' is a genus of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae. There are about 11 described species in ''Venanus'', found in the New World.
Species
These 11 species belong to the genus ''Venanus'':
* ''Venanus chilensis'' Mason, 1981
* ''Ven ...
'' Mason, 1981
* '' Wilkinsonellus'' Mason, 1981
* ''Xanthapanteles
''Xanthapanteles'' is a genus of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae
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 ...
'' Whitfield, 1995
* '' Xanthomicrogaster'' Cameron, 1911
* '' Ypsilonigaster'' Fernandez-Triana, 2018
* '' Zachterbergius'' Fernandez-Triana, 2018
* † '' Dacnusites'' Cockerell, 1921
* † '' Eocardiochiles'' Brues, 1933
* † '' Palaeomicrogaster'' Belokobylskij, 2014
Description and distribution
These wasps are small, with 18 segmented antennae. Most species are black or brown, a few are more colorful. Many species are morphologically similar enough to be considered cryptic species
In biology, a species complex is a group of closely related organisms that are so similar in appearance and other features that the boundaries between them are often unclear. The taxa in the complex may be able to hybridize readily with each oth ...
. Species within this subfamily have a worldwide
Worldwide may refer to:
* Pertaining to the entire world
* Worldwide (rapper) (born 1986), American rapper
* Pitbull (rapper) (born 1981), also known as Mr. Worldwide, American rapper
* ''Worldwide'' (Audio Adrenaline album), 2003
* ''Worldwide' ...
distribution. 135 species of Microgastrinae have been confirmed from Canada, though the number may be as high as 275. At least 28 species have been identified from Turkey
Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolia, Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with ...
in Gökçeada
Imbros or İmroz Adası, officially Gökçeada (lit. ''Heavenly Island'') since 29 July 1970,Alexis Alexandris, "The Identity Issue of The Minorities in Greece And Turkey", in Hirschon, Renée (ed.), ''Crossing the Aegean: An Appraisal of the 1 ...
and Bozcaada.
Biology
Microgastrinae are koinobiont, primary endoparasitoids of larval Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera ( ) is an order (biology), order of insects that includes butterfly, butterflies and moths (both are called lepidopterans). About 180,000 species of the Lepidoptera are described, in 126 Family (biology), families and 46 Taxonomic r ...
. While most species are solitary, many are gregarious, meaning multiple wasp eggs develop within the same caterpillar. When the eggs hatch the wasp larvae feed on the hemolymph
Hemolymph, or haemolymph, is a fluid, analogous to the blood in vertebrates, that circulates in the interior of the arthropod (invertebrate) body, remaining in direct contact with the animal's tissues. It is composed of a fluid plasma in which ...
and organs of their host. Once fully developed, the larvae exit the dying caterpillar and immediately spin silken cocoons where they pupate.
Microgastrinae is one of six subfamilies of Braconidae which carry polydnavirus
A polydnavirus (PDV) is a member of the family ''Polydnaviridae'' of insect viruses. There are two genera in the family: '' Bracovirus'' and '' Ichnovirus''. Polydnaviruses form a symbiotic relationship with parasitoid wasps; ( ichnoviruses ( ...
es.
More than 100 species of Microgastrinae 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.
Coevolution with polydnaviruses
Microgastrinae need the virus to be able to reproduce. How it is exactly done is by injecting eggs with the proviral genome plus virions into the host's cavity. The virions then infect and discharge their DNA into the host's cells, stopping it from killing the wasp's offspring and instead promoting its growth inside the host's body.
External links
*
*
Photographs at BugGuide.netUniProt Taxonomy ConsortiumDNA barcodes at BOLDSystems
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q521739
Apocrita subfamilies