Figitidae
| Figitidae | ||||||||||||
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Callaspidia sp. |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Figitidae | ||||||||||||
| Thomson , 1862 |
The Figitidae are a family of hymenoptera (Hymenoptera). They are classified in the gall wasps (Cynipoidea) within the " Legimmen " and are considered to be the sister family of the gall wasps (Cynipidae), to which they look very similar. In contrast to the gall wasps, however, the Figitidae are parasitoids . The family, which is distributed worldwide, includes around 1400 described species, but it is assumed that a multiple of this number is still undescribed.
features
Figitidae are usually small insects (body size up to about 5 millimeters) and inconspicuous and dark brown or black in color without distinctive markings. The Figitidae are morphologically very diverse and comprise a number of subfamilies, some of which are very different in body shape. Some of these subfamilies were previously considered independent families, they were downgraded to subfamilies during the extensive revision of the group by Fredrik Ronquist . As gall wasp-like, they are mainly recognizable by their characteristic wing veins and the high and very narrow free abdomen. They are difficult to distinguish from their sister family Cynipidae (gall wasps). In the Figitidae the mesoscutum (sclerite on the thorax, between the wings) is almost always shiny, while in the Cynipidae it is dull due to microsculpture, although there are exceptions. The triangular border cell in the forewing is usually closed towards the wing edge in the Figitidae and open in the Cynipidae. The scutellum of the Figitidae almost always has either strong keels or a raised field (pronotum plate). The third tergite is usually largest on the metasoma (free abdomen) and the fourth on the Cynipidae. The most important distinguishing feature is the deflection of the ovipositor , which has a secondary joint in the Figitidae, but this is not externally visible. A special feature of numerous Figitidae is a special structure on the ovipositor, the "ovipositor clip". This structure is used to prevent the moving or defending host larvae from escaping, especially with fly maggots in dung, carrion, rotting plants and rotting fruits lying on the ground, which could otherwise escape the parasitoid's access by retreating into the substrate . It is an indentation on the ventral side of the ovipositor that is covered by a flexible appendix. This gets caught in the cuticle of the host larva. Interestingly, the wasps have to learn to use the clip properly through experience. In all Figitidae the long and thin ovipositor is hidden in the abdomen when at rest. In some groups it is rotated one hundred and eighty degrees so that the ventral side is up.
Way of life
As larvae, all Figitidae are parasitoids of other insect species. Most species parasitize two-winged larvae (Diptera) from numerous families that live in rotting organic matter (excrement, carrion, rotting fruit, algae floss, etc.). They usually remain in the host until after pupation and hatch from the puparium . Some Eucoilinae parasitize at Minierfliegenlarven (Family Agromyzidae) that in leaves minieren . The Aspericinae parasitize hoverfly larvae . The Anacharitinae are parasitoids of blattlausjagenden Netzflüglerlarven ( lacewings and hemerobiidae , Order Neuroptera). The species of the subfamilies Parnipinae and Thrasorinae parasitize gall-producing Cynipidae, i.e. other hymenoptera. The Charipinae are Hyperparasitoide of braconids and jewel wasps parasitize aphids.
The female usually lays her egg with her ovipositor in eggs or larvae (usually young larvae) of the host. The parasitoid larva eats inside the living and growing host (coinobiont parasitoid). The larva often leaves its host in the penultimate larval stage and continues to feed on its corpse from the outside.
Systematics
The Figitidae family is divided into nine subfamilies:
- Parnipinae. Only one species ( Parnips nigripes ). Parasitoid of the gall wasp Barbotinia oraniensis , which creates galls in poppy capsules. Mediterranean region.
- Thrasorinae . Noticeable through enlarged rear hips ( coxes ). Very similar to gall wasp due to the matte mesoscutum and fused third and fourth abdominal sterngit. Only in Australia and South America. Parasitoids of gall wasp larvae (on Nothofagus and Myrtaceae ) or gall-forming ore wasp larvae ( Myrtopsen mimosae , on Tanaostigmodes albiclavis : Chalcidoidea, Tanaostigmatidae, gall- forming agent on Mimosa biuncifera . Possibly this species would be the only case within the family inquiline, that is, it feeds on bile tissue itself ).
- Charipinae . Small animals (up to 3 mm). Striking because of the smooth, little sculpted body surface. Hyperparasitoids of archworms and brackish wasps on aphids and leaf fleas. Spread worldwide.
- Anacharitinae . Striking for its extremely long, stalked abdomen (long petiolus ) and broad, triangular shaped head. Parasitoids of predatory reticulated winged larvae. Spread worldwide.
- Figitinae . Parasitoids of fly maggots (genus Melanips on hoverfly larvae). Spread worldwide. Possibly paraphyletic .
- Aspericinae . The tergite of the third abdominal segment is saddle-shaped. Parasitoids of hoverfly larvae, which are aphid predators themselves. Spread worldwide.
- Emargininae . Conspicuous by two-lobed forewings. Species poor, tropical widespread. In connection with ant burrows. Possibly parasitoids of diptera larvae as equilines in ants.
- Pycnostigminae . Three types, only in Africa. Biology unknown.
- Eucoilinae . Pronotum with conspicuous pronotum plate (round or teardrop-shaped platy elevation). Some species are wingless. The first two (males) or three (females) tergites of the broad abdomen (behind the petiolus) fused. Fly maggot parasitoids. Some species are used for biological pest control, especially against fruit flies of the family Tephritidae ( drill flies ). With over 1000 species by far the most diverse subfamily.
supporting documents
Individual evidence
- ^ Matthew L. Buffington: The occurrence and phylogenetic implications of the ovipositor clip within the Figitidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea). In: Journal of Natural History. 41 (33), pp. 2267-2282. doi : 10.1080 / 00222930701579732
literature
- ML Buffington, F. Ronquist, P. Hanson, FM Fontal-Cazalla, P. Ros-Farré: Cynipoidea. In: F. Fernández, MJ Sharkey (ed.): Introducción a los Hymenoptera de la Región Neotropical. Entomología Colombiana series. Sociedad Colombiana de Entomología, Bogotá DC, Colombia 2006. ( The Cynipoid Families - Introduction. Pdf)
- Frederick Ronquist: Phylogeny and early evolution of the Cynipoidea (Hymenoptera). In: Systematic Entomology. 20: 309-335 (1995). doi : 10.1111 / j.1365-3113.1995.tb00099.x
- Fredrik Ronquist: Phylogeny, classification and evolution of the Cynipoidea. In: Zoologica Scripta. 28 (1999), pp. 139-164. doi : 10.1046 / j.1463-6409.1999.00022.x
