Eulophinae

Westwood, 1829

Eulophinae is a of chalcid in the , comprising over 90 . Molecular phylogenetic studies have shown it to be a derived group within Eulophidae, not an ancestral one as previously thought. The subfamily contains three recognized tribes: Eulophini, Elasmini, and Cirrospilini. Members are primarily , with some functioning as or -formers.

Cirrospilini by (c) wildnettle, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by wildnettle. Used under a CC-BY license.

Eulophinae by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.

Cirrospilus by (c) davidfdz_b82, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by davidfdz_b82. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Eulophinae: /juːˈlɒfɪnaɪ/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Eulophinae can be distinguished from other eulophid by molecular and morphological characters supporting its . Within Eulophinae, the three tribes are distinguished by phylogenetic relationships and morphological features: Eulophini (including former Euplectrini and Elachertini), Elasmini, and Cirrospilini. The Elasmus, formerly placed in the separate , is now recognized as belonging to Eulophinae based on 28S rDNA evidence.

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Habitat

Members are found in diverse ; some are associated with semi-concealed situations where occur. New World have been collected via sweep- and sampling in forested areas.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution. Documented from the Neotropical region ( Rica, Belize, Peru), Indonesia (Nusa Tenggara Timur: Timor, Flores, Sumba), and India (Uttarakhand).

Host Associations

Diptera - main for Cirrospilini
Lepidoptera - main for Cirrospilini; includes leaf-mining
Coleoptera - main for Cirrospilini
Dioscorea bulbifera - indirect of lepidopteran pest parasitized by Sympiesis almorensis

Behavior

attacking in semi-concealed situations. Some act as obligate or facultative . A few species are -formers. Strongly female-biased sex ratios have been observed in some Neotropical (e.g., Elasmarion: 119 females to 2 males; Celesterion: 63 females to 2 males).

Ecological Role

agents; of in various concealed .

Human Relevance

Potential use in of agricultural and forestry pests, including leaf-mining .

Similar Taxa

EntedoninaeAnother of ; less clearly supported than Eulophinae based on molecular evidence.
EuderinaeAnother of ; less clearly supported than Eulophinae based on molecular evidence.
TetrastichinaeAnother of with supported ; distinguished from Eulophinae by molecular and morphological characters.
Elasmidae (historical)Formerly treated as a separate containing only Elasmus; now recognized as derived eulophids belonging within Eulophinae based on 28S rDNA .

Misconceptions

Historically considered an ancestral group within ; molecular evidence now shows Eulophinae is derived. The Elasmus was long placed in its own , but phylogenetic analysis places it within Eulophinae.

More Details

Tribal Classification

Eulophinae currently comprises three tribes: Eulophini (including Euplectrini and Elachertini), Elasmini, and Cirrospilini. Three small Australian tribes (Anselmellini, Ophelimini, Platytetracampini) were removed from Eulophinae due to uncertain relationships. Keryini is excluded from both Eulophinae and .

Sex Ratio Bias

Extreme female-biased sex ratios have been documented in at least two Neotropical , though the biological basis remains unexplained.