The wing interference patterns (WIPs) of Parapanteles (Braconidae, Microgastrinae): demonstrating a powerful and accessible tool for species-level identification of small and clear winged insects

By

Jin, Shuyang
Parks, Kyle
Janzen, Daniel
Hallwachs, Winnie
Dyer, Lee A.
Whitfield, James B. (James Bryan), 1956-

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2023

Original Publication

Journal of Hymenoptera research

Volume

96

Pages

967--982

Subjects

Braconidae , color patterns , Microgastrinae , Parapanteles , wing interference patterns , WIP

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Washington, D.C International Society of Hymenopterists

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.96.111382

 

Abstract

Wing interference patterns (WIPs) are color patterns of insect wings caused by thin film interference. Thin film interference is the same phenomenon responsible for the refracted spectral colors sometimes visible on soap bubbles. Insect WIPs are static patterns due to the variable thickness of wing membranes and the colors produced depend on the thicknesses of wing membranes. While WIPs have been studied in several taxa of small insects, they have not been broadly adopted by insect taxonomists. We surveyed WIPs in one moderate-sized genus of parasitoid wasps, Parapanteles (Braconidae: Microgastrinae). Using an inexpensive microscope camera set-up and free imaging and analysis software, we detected consistent WIP differences between Parapanteles species. In some cases, WIPs can be used to diagnose sibling species that would otherwise require SEM images to differentiate or DNA barcodes. Wing interference patters are an underemployed character that may be similarly useful in many other taxa of small clear-winged insects.