Neurogalesus carinatus

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Neurogalesus carinatus
Neurogalesus carinatus from New Zealand
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Diapriidae
Genus: Neurogalesus
Species:
N. carinatus
Binomial name
Neurogalesus carinatus
Kieffer, 1907
Synonyms

Neurogalesus hackeri Dodd, 1915
Neurogalesus inopodos Osborn, 1974

Neurogalesus carinatus is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Diapriidae,[1] first described in 1907.[2] It uses the Australian soldier fly Inopus rubriceps as a host, sharing its range in pastured areas of South East Queensland, northern New South Wales and its non-native range on the North Island of New Zealand.[1]

Description

Neurogalesus carinatus have deep red-coloured legs and antennae,[2] with a female body length of up to 5.5mm.[1] It can be distinguished from Neurogalesus dissimilis and Neurogalesus rubripes (two wasps with similar appearances) by having a sulcus on either side of the median groove at the base of the abdomen.[2]

Distribution

The earliest recorded sighting of Neurogalesus carinatus in New Zealand is in 1985, after a specimen was collected from Māngere in Auckland.[1] As of 2014, no specimens have been collected from New Zealand native bush environments, suggesting that the fly exclusively lives in urban environments and pastures.[1] No species of fly other than Inopus rubriceps present in New Zealand are known to act as hosts for Neurogalesus carinatus.[1]

References