An illustrated key to European genera of Microgastrinae parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) with a recent historical and biological perspective and a guide to available species-level identification resources

By

Shaw, Mark
Höcherl, Amelie
Fernandez-Triana, Jose

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1212

Pages

286--316

Subjects

Biology , Europe , identification key , Morphology , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1212.126155

 

Abstract

An illustrated key is provided for the identification of the 20 genera of Microgastrinae so far known to occur in Europe. A brief review of 20th century progress on the group is given. Morphological terms are explained and illustrated, with special reference to the different systems of wing venation employed by past workers on Microgastrinae in Europe, and recommendations are made for future work. For each genus, an outline of species richness, host usage, developmental biology, and particular morphological features is given, and some species that may be difficult to place are highlighted. Available keys for species identification within genera are referenced, with comments, and attention is drawn to species more recently recorded or described up to January 2024. The value of accurate rearing data for parasitoids is emphasised. The references discussed provide a comprehensive overview of the most useful literature for future morphological work on European Microgastrinae. Glyptapanteles moldavicus (Tobias), comb. nov. is proposed.