Herbertiidae
Bouček, 1988
Genus Guides
1Herbertiidae is a of chalcidoid wasps elevated from status in 2022 based on molecular, morphological, and data. The family contains three —Herbertia, Exolabrum, and the extinct Versolabrum—with approximately ten worldwide. These small, dark are associated with in multiple insect orders.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Herbertiidae: //hɛrˈbɛr.ti.aɪ.diː//
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Identification
Herbertiidae can be distinguished from other chalcidoid by the combination of molecular, morphological, and characters that supported its elevation from Herbertiinae (Pteromalidae) to family rank in 2022. Specific diagnostic morphological characters are not detailed in available sources.
Appearance
Small, dark . Body size is larger in alpine compared to those from other .
Habitat
Alpine environments including alpine meadows, plateau desert, plateau wetlands, alpine wetlands, and gravel desert. In the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve, China, specimens have been collected at elevations ranging from 3450 m to 4240 m.
Distribution
Worldwide distribution with ten across three . Previously only one species recorded in China; additional species documented from the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve in Xinjiang, China, at the northern edge of the Tibetan Plateau.
Host Associations
- Lepidoptera - or larval
- Coleoptera - or larval
- Diptera - or larval
- Hemiptera - or larval
- other arthropods - unspecified
Ecological Role
agents of agricultural pests. Ecological importance and biogeographical relevance in alpine , where reduced and larger body sizes have been observed.
Human Relevance
Potential value as agents for agricultural pest management.
Similar Taxa
- PteromalidaeHerbertiidae was previously classified as Herbertiinae within Pteromalidae; distinguished by molecular, morphological, and data supporting -level status.
More Details
Taxonomic history
Herbertiidae was described as a in 2022, elevated from Herbertiinae of Pteromalidae based on comprehensive analysis of molecular, morphological, and data.
Genera
The contains three : Herbertia, Exolabrum, and Versolabrum (extinct).
Alpine adaptation
Herbertiidae shows reduced and larger body sizes in alpine environments compared to other , a pattern documented in the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- A systematic review of the Families Chrysolampidae, Cleonymidae, Diparidae, Cerocephalidae, Chalcedectidae, Ceidae and Herbertiidae
- Biological resources of Eunotidae, Herbertiidae, Pteromalidae and Eulophidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) from the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve, China, with description of ten new species.