Meteorinae

Meteorinae

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Meteorinae: /mɛtiˈɔrɪneɪ/

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Images

Summary

Meteorinae is a subfamily of braconid parasitoid wasps, often treated as the Tribe Meteorini in Euphorinae. They are important biocontrol agents for several pest species, particularly those affecting forests, and are found worldwide where their hosts are located.

Physical Characteristics

Meteorines are characterized by an open 1st subdiscal cell and a four-sided 2nd subdiscal cell of the forewings. They have a distinctive petiolate waist.

Identification Tips

Look for the open 1st subdiscal cell and the four-sided 2nd subdiscal cell on the forewings; also note the distinctive petiolate waist.

Habitat

Worldwide, found in habitats where their hosts, specifically plant-feeding Lepidoptera or wood-boring Coleoptera, are located.

Distribution

Found worldwide.

Diet

Parasitoid larvae feed on host Lepidoptera or Coleoptera larvae.

Life Cycle

The species are koinobiont endoparasitoids, with larvae that develop within a single host.

Reproduction

Most species lay a single egg per host, but some are gregarious and several larvae may develop within one host.

Ecosystem Role

Serve as natural biocontrol agents for pest species, particularly those that affect forests.

Economic Impact

Some species have been used in biological control programs to manage agricultural and forestry pests.

Evolution

Recent phylogenetic studies suggest that Meteorus may eventually be divided into several genera; there are also debates about the paraphyly of Meteorus with respect to Zele.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Meteorinae is often mistakenly referred to as a distinct subfamily, whereas it is now typically treated as the Tribe Meteorini within the Euphorinae subfamily.

Tags

  • parasitoid wasps
  • biocontrol
  • Lepidoptera
  • Coleoptera