Gonatocerini
Ashmead, 1904
Gonatocerini is a tribe of minute within (). Members are parasitoids of eggs, with several employed in programs against pests (: Proconiini). The tribe currently comprises 14 recognized . A survey in of central Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, documented 698 individuals across 21 species in four genera: Gonatocerus (most abundant), Cosmocomoidea, Lymaenon, and Tanyxiphium.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Gonatocerini: /ɡoʊˌneɪtoʊˈsɛrɪni/
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Habitat
(Nicotiana tabacum) under and conventional management systems. In central Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 84% of individuals were collected in organic fields versus 16% in conventional fields, suggesting sensitivity to or differential availability.
Distribution
Central Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil (documented occurrence). within Gonatocerini have broader Neotropical distributions, though many remain poorly documented in Brazil; 13 of 21 species recorded in the Brazilian study lacked previous records for the country.
Host Associations
- Proconiini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) - targetSome Gonatocerini are used in programs against this tribe
- Insect eggs - are ; specific ranges vary by
Behavior
Collection toward agricultural systems suggests potential sensitivity to chemical or greater abundance in reduced-input environments.
Ecological Role
agent of agricultural pests, particularly () in . Contributes to diversity in Neotropical agroecosystems.
Human Relevance
Used in programs against Proconiini , significant pests of agricultural including . Taxonomic limitations at the level have hindered implementation in Brazilian tobacco pest management.