Dryinus

Latreille, 1804

pincer wasps

Species Guides

3

Dryinus is a of dryinid parasitic comprising over 340 fossil and extant , making it the most diverse genus in the Dryininae. Species are distributed worldwide, with 103 species reported from the Neotropics alone. These wasps are ectoparasitoids of Hemiptera, particularly planthoppers and related groups. Females exhibit with a distinctive chelate (pincer-like) protarsus used in capture.

Dryinus alatus by no rights reserved. Used under a CC0 license.Dryinus by (c) bythepark, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by bythepark. Used under a CC-BY license.Dryinus by (c) bythepark, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by bythepark. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dryinus: //ˈdraɪ.nəs//

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Identification

Females of Dryinus are distinguished from other dryinid by the presence of a chelate protarsus—modified forelegs with pincer-like claws used to grasp . This structure is absent in males and in related genera such as Anteon and Gonatopus. The genus can be further separated from Anteon by wing venation and body proportions, though specific characters vary among .

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Distribution

distribution with records from all major biogeographic regions. The is particularly diverse in the Neotropics (103 ). Specific collection localities include: northeastern Brazil (Bahia, Pernambuco), eastern Uruguay, China, and Europe. Fossil species are known from Baltic, Dominican, and Burmese ambers.

Host Associations

Life Cycle

Larvae are ectoparasitic, with the partially embedded in the 's coelom and the body protruding between , covered by larval (thylacium). Development includes 5 larval instars before the mature larva exits the host to pupate in a silken cocoon, killing the host in the process. This pattern has been documented in D. sinicus and D. tarraconensis.

Ecological Role

Ectoparasitoid of Hemiptera, particularly fulgoroid planthoppers. such as D. sinicus demonstrate high and have been evaluated as agents for pests.

Human Relevance

Dryinus sinicus has been investigated as a promising agent for the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in the United States due to its high rates and in laboratory studies.

Similar Taxa

  • AnteonLacks the chelate protarsus found in Dryinus females; differs in wing venation
  • GonatopusFemales have forelegs modified for capture but lack the pincer-like chelate structure of Dryinus; foretarsus differs

More Details

Fossil record

Numerous fossil have been described from Baltic, Dominican, and Burmese ambers, indicating a long evolutionary history for the .

Reproductive biology

D. sinicus is highly synovigenic (ovigeny index: 0.0843), with females emerging with approximately 15 mature and continuing production throughout life. Self- occurs frequently in laboratory settings.

Host size preference

In laboratory trials, D. sinicus more effectively parasitized first instar than second instar spotted lanternfly nymphs, and killed approximately 7 times more nymphs through than through feeding.

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Sources and further reading