Brasema
Cameron, 1884
Brasema is a of chalcid in the , first described by Cameron in 1884. in this genus are associated with oak (: Cynipini) in North America. The genus includes at least eight species, with two new species described from Mexico in 2024. Brasema wasps emerge from cynipid oak belonging to sections Quercus and Lobatae of the oak genus.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Brasema: /brəˈseɪmə/
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Images
Habitat
Associated with oak formed by on oaks (Quercus), specifically sections Quercus and Lobatae.
Distribution
North America, including the United States, Mexico, and Canada (British Columbia). Specific distributions vary: B. macrocarpae and B. speciosum occur in the USA and Mexico; B. flavovariegatum and B. gemmarii occur in the USA; B. mexicanum and B. obscurum are known from Mexico. Records also exist from Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Host Associations
- Cynipini (oak gall wasps) - emerges from oak
- Quercus (oak) - indirect of -forming
- Lobatae (red oaks) - indirect section of -forming
Life Cycle
emerge from oak . Development occurs within galls formed by oak , though specific developmental stages and timing remain undocumented.
Ecological Role
of oak (: Cynipini), contributing to of -forming on oaks.
More Details
Taxonomic gender
The of Brasema is treated as neuter rather than feminine, affecting epithet endings.
Phylogenetic research
A COI phylogenetic analysis including 7 sequences of two new Mexican plus 64 sequences from BOLD representing 21 morphospecies provided the first for the .