Two new Neotropical genera of Miracinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) with unusual metasomal morphology

By

Whitfield, James B. (James Bryan), 1956-
Fernandez-Triana, Jose
Boudreault, Caroline

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025

Original Publication

Journal of Hymenoptera research

Volume

98

Pages

509--524

Subjects

Colombia , Dominican Republic , Fusimirax , leaf-mining Lepidoptera , Páramo , Paramomirax

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Washington, D.C International Society of Hymenopterists

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.98.150254

 

Abstract

Two morphologically unusual new neotropical genera of Miracinae, Paramomirax Whitfield and Fernandez-Triana, and Fusimirax Whitfield and Fernandez-Triana, are here proposed and described. The two new genera differ strikingly from previously known Miracinae in having completely different patterns of desclerotization of the anterior metasomal tergites. Paramomirax, so far known only from paramo vegetation at high elevation in Colombia, is represented by P. peckorum Whitfield, new species. Fusimirax, so far known only from lower elevation forests in the Dominican Republic, is described from three species, F. masneri Whitfield & Fernandez-Triana, new species, F. robusta Whitfield, new species, and F. gracilis, Whitfield, new species. None of the four species has any recorded hosts yet, although all previous Miracinae with known hosts attack leaf-mining and bark-mining moth larvae.