Sigalphinae Explained

Sigalphinae is a subfamily of braconid wasps,[1] containing 8 genera and less than 50 described species.[2]

Description

While rare, they have a worldwide distribution. Sigalphinae can be distinguished from other subfamilies of Braconidae by the combination of the hindwing with vein CUb present, the forewing with vein M + CU tubular and second submarginal cell longer than wide, the petiole with a pair of longitudinal carinae, and a metasoma that is not laterally compressed.

All species with known hosts are koinobiont endoparasitoids which attack larval Lepidoptera from the families Noctuidae (most species) and Geometridae (Minanga patriciamadrigalae).

Notes and References

  1. Book: Wharton . Robert . Manual Of The New World Genera Of The Family Braconidae (Hymenoptera) . Marsh . Paul . Sharkey . Michael . 1997 . The International Society of Hymenopterists . 978-0692944820 . Washington DC.
  2. Sharkey . Michael J. . Penteado-Dias . Angélica Maria . Smith . M. Alex . Hallwachs . Winnie . Janzen . Daniel . 2019 . Synopsis of New World Sigalphinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) with the description of two new species and a key to genera . Journal of Hymenoptera Research . en . 68 . 1–11 . 10.3897/jhr.68.30131 . free . 1314-2607.