Microgastrinae

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Protostomia
Cladus: Ecdysozoa
Cladus: Panarthropoda
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Classis: Insecta
Cladus: Dicondylia
Subclassis: Pterygota
Cladus: Metapterygota
Infraclassis: Neoptera
Cladus: Eumetabola
Cladus: Endopterygota
Superordo: Hymenopterida
Ordo: Hymenoptera
Subordo: Apocrita
Superfamilia: Ichneumonoidea

Familia: Braconidae
Subfamilia: Microgastrinae
Tribus: Cotesiini ...
Overview of genera

Agupta – Alphomelon – Apanteles – Austinicotesia – Beyarslania – Billmasonius – Carlmuesebeckius – Clarkinella – Cotesia – Deuterixys – Diolcogaster – Distatrix – Dolichogenidea – Eripnopelta – Exix – Exoryza – Gilbertnixonius – Glyptapanteles – Hygroplitis – Hypomicrogaster – Iconella – Illidops – Janhalacaste – Jenopappius – Jimwhitfieldius – Keylimepie – Kiwigaster – Kotenkosius – Lathrapanteles – Mariapanteles – Markshawius – Microgaster – Microplitis – Ohenri – Parapanteles – Paroplitis – Pelicope – Philoplitis – Pholetesor – Protapanteles – Promicrogaster – Protomicroplitis – Pseudapanteles – Pseudofornicia – Qrocodiledundee – Rasivalva – Rhygoplitis – Sathon – Shireplitis – Silvaspinosus – Teremys – Tobleronius – Ungunicus – Venanides – Venanus – Wilkinsonellus – Ypsilonigaster – Zachterbergius
References
Additional references

Dowton, M.; Austin, A.D. 1998: Phylogenetic relationships among the microgastroid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): combined analysis of 16S and 28S rDNA genes and morphological data. Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 10: 354–366. DOI: 10.1006/mpev.1998.0533
Fernández-Triana, J.L. 2010: Eight new species and an annotated checklist of Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) from Canada and Alaska. ZooKeys, 63: 1–53. ISSN: 1313-2970 (online) ISSN: 1313-2989 (print) DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.63.565
Fernandez-Triana, J.L. & Boudreault, C. 2016. Keylimepie peckorum gen. n. and sp. n., (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) from southern Florida, U.S., the first known brachypterous member of the subfamily Microgastrinae. ZooKeys 584: 95–107. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.584.8319. Reference page.
Fernandez-Triana, J.L. & Boudreault, C. 2018. Seventeen new genera of microgastrine parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from tropical areas of the world. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 64: 25–140. DOI: 10.3897/jhr.64.25453 Reference page.
Fernandez-Triana, J.L., Boudreault, C., Buffam, J. & Maclean, R. 2016. A biodiversity hotspot for Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) in North America: annotated species checklist for Ottawa, Canada. ZooKeys 633: 1–93. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.633.10480. Reference page.
Fernández-Triana, J.L., Buffam, J., Beaudin, M., Davis, H., Fernández-Galliano, A., Griffin, E., Lin, S-Y., McAulay, M.K., Richter, R., Rodriguez, F. & Várkonyi, G. 2017. An annotated and illustrated checklist of Microgastrinae wasps (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and Greenland. ZooKeys 691: 49—101. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.691.14491. Reference page.
Fernández-Triana, J.L.; Ward, D.F.; Whitfield, J.B. 2011: Kiwigaster gen. nov. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from New Zealand: the first Microgastrinae with sexual dimorphism in number of antennal segments. Zootaxa, 2932: 24–32. Preview
Gadallah, N.S., Ghahari, H. & Peris-Filipo, F.J. 2015. Catalogue of the Iranian Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Zootaxa 4043(1): 1–69. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4043.1.1 Preview (PDF). ISBN 978-1-77557-831-4 (paperback); ISBN 978-1-77557-832-1 (Online edition). Reference page.
Gadallah, N.S., Ghahari, H. & Peris-Filipo, F.J. 2016. Erratum. NEVEEN S. GADALLAH, HASSAN GHAHARI & FRANCISCO JAVIER PERIS-FELIPO (2015) Catalogue of the Iranian Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Zootaxa, 4043(1): 001–069. Zootaxa 4067(5): 600–600. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4067.5.10 Full article (PDF). Reference page.
Gupta, A. 2013: Three new species of reared parasitic wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Microgastrinae) from India. Zootaxa 3701(3): 365–380. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3701.3.6 Reference page.
Murphy, N.; Banks, J.C.; Whitfield, J.B.; Austin, A.D. 2008: Phylogeny of the parasitic microgastroid subfamilies (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) based on sequence data from seven genes, with an improved time estimate of the origin of the lineage. Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 47: 378–395. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2008.01.022
Austin, A.D.; Dangerfield, P.C. 1992: Synopsis of Australasian Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), with a key to genera and description of new taxa. Invertebrate taxonomy, 6: 1–76.
Koçak, A.Ö.; Kemal, M. 2009: A replacement name in the family Braconidae (Hymenoptera). Centre for Entomological Studies Ankara miscellaneous papers, 147-148: 14. Internet Archive
Li, X.-Y. ; J.-C. Tan & D.-B. Song, 2009: A New Species of Microplitis Foerster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Microgastrinae) of China. Entomotaxonomia 31(3): 225–229. Abstract: [1].
Mason, W.R.M. 1981: The polyphyletic nature of Apanteles Foerster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): a phylogeny and reclassification of Microgastrinae. Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada, (115)
Rousse, P.; Gupta, A. 2013: Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) of Reunion Island: a catalogue of the local species, including 18 new taxa and a key to species. Zootaxa 3616(6): 501–547. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3616.6.1 Reference page.
van Achterberg, K., Long, K.D., Chen, X-X. & You, L-S. 2015. Pseudofornicia gen. n. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae), a new Indo-Australian genus and one new species from Vietnam. Zookeys 524: 89–102. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.524.6158 Full article Reference page.
Xiong, Y-H., van Achterberg, C. & Chen, X-X. 2017. A new genus of the tribe Cotesiini Mason (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Microgastrinae) from China. Zootaxa 4324(2): 391–396. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4324.2.12. Reference page.

Microgastrinae is a subfamily of braconid wasps,[1] encompassing almost 3,000 described species, with an estimated 30,000–50,000 total species.[2] This makes it one of the richest subfamilies with the most species of parasitoid wasps.[3]

Genera

These 84 genera belong to the subfamily Microgastrinae:[2][4]

Agupta Fernandez-Triana, 2018
Alloplitis Nixon, 1965
Alphomelon Mason, 1981
Apanteles Förster, 1862
Austinicotesia Fernandez-Triana, 2018
Austrocotesia Austin & Dangerfield, 1992
Beyarslania Koçak & Kemal, 2009
Billmasonius Fernandez-Triana, 2018
Buluka de Saeger, 1948
Carlmuesebeckius Fernandez-Triana, 2018
Chaoa Luo & You, 2004
Choeras Mason, 1981
Clarkinella Mason, 1981
Cotesia Cameron, 1891
Cuneogaster Choi & Whitfield, 2006
Dasylagon Muesebeck, 1958
Deuterixys Mason, 1981
Diolcogaster Ashmead, 1900
Distatrix Mason, 1981
Dodogaster Rousse, 2013
Dolichogenidea Viereck, 1911
Eripnopelta Chen, 2017
Exix Mason, 1981
Exoryza Mason, 1981
Exulonyx Mason, 1981
Fornicia Brullé, 1846
Gilbertnixonius Fernandez-Triana, 2018
Glyptapanteles Asmead, 1904
Hygroplitis Thomson, 1895
Hypomicrogaster Ashmead, 1898
Iconella Mason, 1981
Illidops Mason, 1981
Janhalacaste Fernandez-Triana, 2018
Jenopappius Fernandez-Triana, 2018
Jimwhitfieldius Fernandez-Triana, 2018
Keylimepie Fernández-Triana, 2016
Kiwigaster Fernández-Triana, Whitfield & Ward, 2011
Kotenkosius Fernandez-Triana, 2018
Larissimus Nixon, 1965
Lathrapanteles Williams, 1985
Mariapanteles Whitfield & Fernández-Triana, 2012
Markshawius Fernandez-Triana, 2018
Microgaster Latreille, 1804
Microplitis Förster, 1862
Miropotes Nixon, 1965
Napamus Papp, 1993
Neoclarkinella Rema & Narendran, 1996
Nyereria Mason, 1981
Ohenri Fernandez-Triana, 2018
Papanteles Mason, 1981
Parapanteles Ashmead, 1900
Parenion Nixon, 1965
Paroplitis Mason, 1981
Pelicope 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 Mason, 1981
Semionis Nixon, 1965
Sendaphne Nixon, 1965
Shireplitis Fernández-Triana & Wardan Achterberg, 2013
Silvaspinosus Fernandez-Triana, 2018
Snellenius Westwood 1882
Tobleronius Fernandez-Triana, 2018
Ungunicus Fernandez-Triana, 2018
Venanides Mason, 1981
Venanus Mason, 1981
Wilkinsonellus Mason, 1981
Xanthapanteles 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.[5] Species within this subfamily have a worldwide distribution. 135 species of Microgastrinae have been confirmed from Canada,[6][7] though the number may be as high as 275.[8] At least 28 species have been identified from Turkey in Gökçeada and Bozcaada.[9]
Biology

Microgastrinae are koinobiont, primary endoparasitoids of larval Lepidoptera. 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 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 polydnaviruses.[10]

More than 100 species of Microgastrinae have been used in biological control programs.[11]
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.[12]

Cocoons of Apanteles wasp and Papilio demoleus caterpillar

Microgastrinae wasp empty cocoons

Cotesia cocoons

Cotesia adult

External links

Media related to Microgastrinae at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Microgastrinae at Wikispecies
Photographs at BugGuide.net
UniProt Taxonomy Consortium
DNA barcodes at BOLDSystems

References

"UniProt Consortium Taxonomy Browser". Retrieved 2008-12-14.
Fernandez-Triana, Jose; Shaw, Mark R.; Boudreault, Caroline; Beaudin, Melanie; et al. (2020). "Annotated and illustrated world checklist of Microgastrinae parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera, Braconidae)". ZooKeys. 920. doi:10.3897/zookeys.920.39128.
Fernandez, Jose L. (Fall 2007). "An overview and update of the Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) holdings in the Canadian National Collection, Ottawa". Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods). Jose L. Fernandez Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. 26 (2).
Rousse, Pascal; Gupta, Ankita (2013). "Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) of Reunion Island: A catalogue of the local species, including 18 new taxa and a key to species". Zootaxa. 3616 (6): 501–47. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3616.6.1. PMID 24758826.
Smith, Alex; et al. (2013). "DNA barcoding and the taxonomy of Microgastrinae wasps (Hymenoptera, Braconidae): impacts after 8 years and nearly 20 000 sequences". Molecular Ecology Resources. 13 (2).
Marsh, P. "Catalog of Hymenoptera in America North of Mexico". Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington: 144–313.
Yu, D.; van Achterberg, K.; Horstmann, K (2005). World Ichneumonoidea 2004. Taxonomy, Biology, Morphology and Distribution. CD/DVD. Taxapad, Vancouver.
"Canada's Insect Fauna. Hymenoptera, Braconidae". Biological Survey of Canada. 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-06-29. Retrieved 2008-12-14.
İnanç, Filiz; Beyarslan, Ahmet (2000). "A Study on Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Species in Gökçeada and Bozcaada". Turkish Journal of Zoology. 25 (3): 287–96. Archived from the original on 2013-07-06.
Murphy, Nicholas; Banks, Jonathan C.; Whitfield, James B.; Austin, Andrew D. (2008-04-01). "Phylogeny of the parasitic microgastroid subfamilies (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) based on sequence data from seven genes, with an improved time estimate of the origin of the lineage". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 47 (1): 378–395. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2008.01.022. PMID 18325792.
Wharton, Robert A.; Marsh, Paul M.; Sharkey, Michael J. (1997). The Manual of the New World Genera of the Family Braconidae (Hymenoptera) (PDF). Washington DC: The International Society of Hymenopterists. pp. 333–335.
Whitfield, James B. (October 20, 2017). "Systematics, Biology, and Evolution of Microgastrine Parasitoid Wasps". Annual Review of Entomology: 397. doi:10.1146/annurev-ento-020117-043405.