The Alysiinae are a subfamily of braconid parasitoid wasps with over 1000 described species. Several species have been used in biocontrol programs. They are closely related to the Opiinae.
Head of an Alysiinae wasp. The exodont mandibles are visible.
Alysiinae are small wasps, usually under 5 mm long and black or brown in color. Their mandibles are exodont, opening outwards and not overlapping. This characteristic is essentially unique among braconids, with only a few rare exceptions (e.g., the genus Exodontiella in the subfamily Gnamptodontinae[1]).
Alysiinae are found worldwide.[2] They are "frequently seen whereever decaying organic matter occurs."[2]
Biology
Alysiinae are koinobiont endoparasitoids of CyclorrhaphaDiptera. Females oviposit into host eggs or larvae. The host is allowed to develop until it forms a puparium, at which point it is killed by the wasp larva. The Alysiinae larva then pupates within the host puparium. Adults use their exodont mandibles to break free of the tough host puparium. Most species of Alysiinae are solitary, but a few are gregarious and lay multiple eggs within one host.[3]
Data sources: i = ITIS,[4] c = Catalogue of Life,[5] g = GBIF,[6] b = Bugguide.net[7]
References
↑ Wharton, R.A., Yoder, M.J., Gillespie, J.J., Patton, J.C. and Honeycutt, R.L. (2006) Relationships of Exodontiella, a non-alysiine, exodont member of the family Braconidae (Insecta, Hymenoptera). Zoologica Scripta 35: 323-340. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-6409.2006.00236.x
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Gadallah, Neveen S.; Ghahari, Hassan; Shaw, Scott Richard, eds. (2022). Braconidae of the Middle East (Hymenoptera): taxonomy, distribution, biology, and biocontrol benefits of parasitoid wasps. London, UK: Academic Press. pp.54–89. ISBN978-0-323-96099-1.
↑ Wharton, Robert A.; Marsh, Paul M.; Sharkey, Michael J. (1997). Manual of the New World Genera of the Family Braconidae (Hymenoptera). Washington DC: The International Society of Hymenopterists.
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