Mesoleptus

Mesoleptus is a genus of parasitic wasp in the family Ichneumonidae with a wide geographic distribution.[2]

Mesoleptus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Hymenoptera
Family:
Ichneumonidae
Subfamily:
Cryptinae
Tribe:
Phygadeuontini
Genus:
Mesoleptus

Gravenhorst, 1829[1]
Species

See text

The antennae of its members are typically long, slender, and usually curved. The head is short and narrow with oval, slightly protruding eyes. The thorax is somewhat humped, with small wings.[3] The cellules of the wings, which are small enclosed areas between veins, are either very small or entirely absent.[3][4] It is characterized by the narrowed abdomen referred to as a petiole.[5] Abdomen shape is usually oblong and smooth.[3] The legs are slender and long, although the hindmost leg can be thickened.[3]

Currently there are seven accepted species of Mesoleptus. In 2008, Dr. Chris Williams at the National University of Ireland, Galway announced the discovery of what he believed to be a new species of Mesoleptus, which he termed Mesoleptus hibernica for the ancient Latin name for Ireland.[6] However, the species has yet to be confirmed by further specimens, and is therefore not considered official.[7]

Species
  • Mesoleptus borealis Davis, 1898
  • Mesoleptus davisii Dalla Torre, 1898
  • Mesoleptus declivus Provancher, 1886
  • Mesoleptus glaucus Davis, 1898
  • Mesoleptus ignotus Cresson, 1868
  • Mesoleptus ithacae Ashmead, 1896
  • Mesoleptus laevigatus Gravenhorst, 1837

Species information retrieved from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System.[1]

References
  1. "Mesoleptus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
  2. Cameron, Peter (1883–1900). Godman, Frederick Ducane; Salvin, Osbert (eds.). Biologia Centrali-Americana. Insecta: Hymenoptera, vol. 1. Families. Published for the editors by R. H. Porter]. p. 281.
  3. Stephens, James Francis (1835). Illustrations of British Entomology: Or, A Synopsis of Indigenous Insects; Containing Their Generic and Specific Distinctions; with an Account of Their Metamorphoses, Times of Appearance, Localities, Food, and Economy, as Far as Practicable. Baldwin and Cradock. pp. 211–212.
  4. A Dictionary of Entomology. CABI. 2011. p. 272. ISBN 9781845935429.
  5. Cresson, Ezra Townsend (1887). Synopsis of the Families and Genera of the Hymenoptera of America, North of Mexico: Together with a Catalogue of the Described Species, and Bibliography. P.C. Stockhausen, printer. p. 40.
  6. "New parasite wasp species found". BBC News. 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  7. Jussila, Reijo; Sääksjärvi, Ilari E.; Bordera, Santiago (2013-05-31). "Revision of the western Palaearctic Mesoleptus (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)". Annales de la Société Entomologique de France. 46 (3–4): 499–518. doi:10.1080/00379271.2010.10697687. hdl:10045/23584. S2CID 84679601.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.