Trichosteresis

Förster, 1856

Species Guides

1

Trichosteresis is a of in the Megaspilidae, established by Förster in 1856. The genus contains at least three described , including T. glabra, T. floridanus, and T. nudipennis. Members of this genus are known to parasitize syrphid flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) and have been recorded from Europe, North America, and South America.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Trichosteresis: /ˌtraɪkoʊstɪˈriːsɪs/

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Identification

Distinguished from other Megaspilidae by features detailed in taxonomic revisions; T. glabra has been noted for scutes on the metasoma that may correspond to . Specific diagnostic characters require examination of morphological details not fully summarized in available sources.

Distribution

Europe; North America (including Florida); South America (Argentina, Brazil). GBIF records indicate presence in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Host Associations

Ecological Role

of syrphid flies, potentially contributing to regulation of syrphid .

Similar Taxa

  • DendrocerusPreviously the only named of Megaspilidae reported from Argentina and Brazil; distinguished by morphological characters detailed in taxonomic literature.

More Details

Taxonomic history

The was revised in a 1974 publication on European Megaspilidae, which clarified its status among of syrphid flies.

Morphological research

SEM studies of T. glabra have revealed possible structures on the metasoma, suggesting chemical communication or defense functions.

Sources and further reading