Microgastrinae

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Microgastrinae
Cotesia melanoscela
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Superfamily: Ichneumonoidea
Family: Braconidae
Subfamily: Microgastrinae

Microgastrinae is a subfamily of braconid wasps,[1] encompassing almost 3,000 described species, with an estimated 30,000–50,000 total species.[2] This makes it one of the richest subfamilies with the most species of parasitoid wasps.[3]

Genera

These 84 genera belong to the subfamily Microgastrinae:[2][4]


Description and distribution

These wasps are small, with 18 segmented antennae. Most species are black or brown, a few are more colorful. Many species are morphologically similar enough to be considered

cryptic species.[5] Species within this subfamily have a worldwide distribution. 135 species of Microgastrinae have been confirmed from Canada,[6][7] though the number may be as high as 275.[8] At least 28 species have been identified from Turkey in Gökçeada and Bozcaada.[9]

Biology

Microgastrinae are koinobiont, primary endoparasitoids of larval Lepidoptera. While most species are solitary, many are gregarious, meaning multiple wasp eggs develop within the same caterpillar. When the eggs hatch the wasp larvae feed on the hemolymph and organs of their host. Once fully developed, the larvae exit the dying caterpillar and immediately spin silken cocoons where they pupate.

Microgastrinae is one of six subfamilies of Braconidae which carry

polydnaviruses.[10]

More than 100 species of Microgastrinae have been used in biological control programs.[11]

Coevolution with polydnaviruses

Microgastrinae need the virus to be able to reproduce. How it is exactly done is by injecting eggs with the proviral genome plus virions into the host's cavity. The virions then infect and discharge their DNA into the host's cells, stopping it from killing the wasp's offspring and instead promoting its growth inside the host's body.[12]

External links

References

  1. ^ "UniProt Consortium Taxonomy Browser". Retrieved 2008-12-14.
  2. ^ a b Fernandez-Triana, Jose; Shaw, Mark R.; Boudreault, Caroline; Beaudin, Melanie; et al. (2020). "Annotated and illustrated world checklist of Microgastrinae parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera, Braconidae)". ZooKeys (920): 1–1089.
    PMID 32390740
    .
  3. ^ Fernandez, Jose L. (Fall 2007). "An overview and update of the Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) holdings in the Canadian National Collection, Ottawa". Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods). 26 (2). Jose L. Fernandez Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
  4. PMID 24758826
    .
  5. ^ Smith, Alex; et al. (2013). "DNA barcoding and the taxonomy of Microgastrinae wasps (Hymenoptera, Braconidae): impacts after 8 years and nearly 20 000 sequences". Molecular Ecology Resources. 13 (2).
  6. ^ Marsh, P. "Catalog of Hymenoptera in America North of Mexico". Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington: 144–313. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ Yu, D.; van Achterberg, K.; Horstmann, K (2005). World Ichneumonoidea 2004. Taxonomy, Biology, Morphology and Distribution. Taxapad, Vancouver. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  8. ^ "Canada's Insect Fauna. Hymenoptera, Braconidae". Biological Survey of Canada. 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-06-29. Retrieved 2008-12-14.
  9. ^ İnanç, Filiz; Beyarslan, Ahmet (2000). "A Study on Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Species in Gökçeada and Bozcaada". Turkish Journal of Zoology. 25 (3): 287–96. Archived from the original on 2013-07-06.
  10. PMID 18325792
    .
  11. ^ Wharton, Robert A.; Marsh, Paul M.; Sharkey, Michael J. (1997). The Manual of the New World Genera of the Family Braconidae (Hymenoptera) (PDF). Washington DC: The International Society of Hymenopterists. pp. 333–335.
  12. PMID 29058979
    .
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