Description and natural history of the first micropterous Meteorus species: M. orocrambivorus sp. n. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Euphorinae), endemic to New Zealand

By

Aguirre, Helmuth
Shaw, Scott R. (Scott Richard), 1955-
Berry, Jocelyn
de Sassi, Claudio

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2014

Original Publication

Journal of Hymenoptera research

Volume

38

Pages

45-57

Subjects

alpine habitat , Orocrambus , parasitoid , sexual dimorphism , wing reduction

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Washington, D.C International Society of Hymenopterists

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.38.7403

 

Abstract

Wing reduction is well known in the cyclostome lineage of Braconidae, but very unusual in non-cyclostome groups. A new species from New Zealand, Meteorus orocrambivorus, the first micropterous species of the non-cyclostome and cosmopolitan genus Meteorus, is described. Phylogenetic analysis places it close to M. versicolor, a macropterous parasitoid of macrolepidoptera. Details about its host relationships, plant associations and habitat suggest that the necessity of succeeding in cryptic environments may explain the wing modification. A possible case of Batesian mimicry with ants could explain the extreme sexual dimorphism.