Abstract
The genus Wilkinsonellus Mason is a poorly sampled but widely distributed tropical genus of Microgastrinae (Braconidae), parasitoid wasps that exclusively attack caterpillars (Lepidoptera). Currently, species of Wilkinsonellus have been described only from the Palaeotropics, but the genus was known to occur in the Neotropics. Here we describe the first three species from Central and South America: Wilkinsonellus alexsmithi sp. n., Wilkinsonellus kogui sp. n., and Wilkinsonellus panamaensis sp. n. These species descriptions confirm that Wilkinsonellus is a Pantropical genus. A dichotomous key for the three new Neotropical species is given. The first recorded host for the genus, Microthyris prolongalis (Crambidae), is also reported, for Wilkinsonellus alexsmithi.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 79-95 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | ZooKeys |
Volume | 302 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2013 |
Keywords
- Biodiversity
- Caterpillars
- Parasitoid wasps
- Tropical rain forest lowlands
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Insect Science
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
- Animal Science and Zoology
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)
- Palaeontology