Conostigmus

Conostigmus can be distinguished from the sister genus Dendrocerus within Megaspilidae by morphological characters detailed in dichotomous keys for Ceraphronoidea genera. Sexual dimorphism is prevalent, making species-level identification challenging without molecular verification.

Found in diverse habitats including Amazon rainforest (Brazil) and montane regions of China at 1978 m elevation. Specimens have been collected using Malaise traps, sweep-nets, and yellow pan traps.

Worldwide distribution with over 170 extant species. Greatest diversity in the Palearctic region. Neotropical records include Brazil (Amazonas: Manaus), Ecuador, and Chile. Palearctic records include Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Sexual dimorphism is prevalent in the genus; males and females of the same species often require molecular identification (28S rDNA) for correct association.

Parasitoid wasp. Some species are known ectoparasitoids; endoparasitoid and hyperparasitoid strategies are suspected but not confirmed.

• DendrocerusSister genus within Megaspilidae; distinguished by morphological characters in dichotomous keys. Dendrocerus contains both ectoparasitoid and endoparasitoid species, suggesting Conostigmus may share similar life history diversity.

• parasitoid
• sexual dimorphism
• worldwide distribution
• poorly known biology

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• First record of Conostigmus Dahlbom, 1858 (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae) from Brazil and description of the female of Conostigmus binasutus Dessart & Cancemi, 1986
• Description of two new species of Conostigmus Dahlbom, 1858 (Hymenoptera, Megaspilidae) from Yintiaoling Nature Reserve, Chongqing, China.