Homolobinae

Homolobinae
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Clade:	Euarthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Braconidae
Subfamily:	Homolobinae

Last updated April 07, 2019

The Homolobinae are a subfamily of braconid parasitoid wasps. The subfamily Charmontinae was previously included within Homolobinae as the tribe Charmontini.^[1]

In biological classification, a subfamily is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoological names with "-inae".

Parasitoid wasps are a large group of hymenopteran superfamilies, with all but the wood wasps (Orussoidea) being in the wasp-waisted Apocrita. As parasitoids, they lay their eggs on or in the bodies of other arthropods, sooner or later causing the death of these hosts. Different species specialise in hosts from different insect orders, most often Lepidoptera, though some select beetles, flies, or bugs; the spider wasps (Pompilidae) exclusively attack spiders.

Description and distribution

Homolobines are relatively large braconids, often resembling species of Macrocentrinae. They have non-cyclostome mouth parts. Many are pale in coloration with large eyes and long tibial spurs on the hind leg. They can be separated from macrocentrines by the presence of an occipital carinae, which is a ridge along the back of the head.

The Macrocentrinae are a subfamily of braconid parasitic wasps. Several species have been used in biological control programs.

Biology

Homolobines are koinobiont endoparasitoids of caterpillars. Females lay a single egg on each host. Most recorded hosts are in the families Noctuidae and Geometridae. Most species of Homolobinae are nocturnal.^[2]

The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are the most controversial family in the superfamily Noctuoidea because many of the clades are constantly changing, along with the other families of the Noctuoidea. It was considered the largest family in Lepidoptera for a long time, but after regrouping Lymantriinae, Catocalinae and Calpinae within the family Erebidae, the latter holds this title now. Currently, Noctuidae is the second largest family in Noctuoidea, with about 1,089 genera and 11,772 species. However, this classification is still contingent, as more changes continue to appear between Noctuidae and Erebidae.

Related Research Articles

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Bracon is a genus of wasps in the Braconidae, a family of parasitoid wasps. There are several hundred described species but there are thousands still undescribed. The genus is cosmopolitan, distributed throughout the world, with most of the described species occurring in the Palearctic ecozone.

The Braconinae are a large subfamily of braconid parasitoid wasps with more than 2,000 described species. Many species, including Bracon brevicornis, have been used in biocontrol programs.

The Opiinae are a subfamily of braconid parasitoid wasps with over 1300 described species. Several species have been used in biocontrol programs against fruit flies and Agromyzidae flies. They are closely related to the Alysiinae.

The Rogadinae are a large subfamily of braconid parasitoid wasps. Several Rogadinae species parasitize pest caterpillars and are important for naturally occurring biological control.

AdeliiniViereck, 1918 is a tribe of braconid parasitoid wasps within the subfamily Cheloninae. Until 2016, Adeliini was classified as a separate subfamily, the Adeliinae. However, the name Adeliini Kirby, 1828 for a tribe of beetles has priority, and Adeliini Viereck, 1918 is a junior homonym.

The Cenocoeliinae are a subfamily of braconid parasitoid wasps.

Apozyx is a genus of braconid parasitic wasps with only one species, Apozyx penyai. It is the only genus in the subfamily Apozyginae. This subfamily was originally proposed as a separate family by Mason in 1978.

The Cardiochilinae are a subfamily of braconid parasitoid wasps. This subfamily has been treated as a tribe of Microgastrinae in the past. Some species including Toxoneuron nigriceps have been used in biocontrol programs.

Dirrhope is the only extant genus in the subfamily Dirrhopinae of braconid parasitoid wasps. Dirrope was included in the Microgastrinae until 1984. Specimens of this genus have been found fossilsed in amber dating from the Cretaceous period.

Aerophilus is a genus of parasitoid wasps belonging to the family Braconidae. As members of the subfamily Agathidinae, they are koinobiont endoparasitoids of caterpillars. The host is attacked as an early instar, but not consumed and killed until the host is about to pupate. Nearly all species of Aerophilus have a narrow host range, attacking only one caterpillar species. However, the host range of the genus as a whole is quite broad, including many families of Lepidoptera.

Blacini is a tribe of braconid Parasitoid wasps. Formerly the subfamily Blacinae, this group was demoted to a tribe and placed within the Brachistinae based on molecular evidence in 2011.

The Ichneutinae are a subfamily of braconid parasitoid wasps.

Brachistinae is a subfamily of braconid wasps in the family Braconidae.

References

↑ Sharanowski BJ, Dowling APG, Sharkey MJ. 2011. Molecular phylogenetics of Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea), based on multiple nuclear genes, and implications for classification. Systematic Entomology 36: 549-572.
↑ Wharton, Robert A.; Marsh, Paul M.; Sharkey, Michael J. (1997). Manual of the New World Genera of the Family Braconidae (Hymenoptera) (PDF). Washington DC: The International Society of Hymenopterists.

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[1] Sharanowski BJ, Dowling APG, Sharkey MJ. 2011. Molecular phylogenetics of Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea), based on multiple nuclear genes, and implications for classification. Systematic Entomology 36: 549-572.

[2] Wharton, Robert A.; Marsh, Paul M.; Sharkey, Michael J. (1997). Manual of the New World Genera of the Family Braconidae (Hymenoptera) (PDF). Washington DC: The International Society of Hymenopterists.