Alphomelon

Mason, 1981

Alphomelon is a of in the , Microgastrinae. The genus comprises 49 described , with 30 described in a 2023 revision. Species delimitation requires integration of , , data, and distribution information; neither morphology nor DNA barcoding alone is sufficient to distinguish all species.

Alphomelon crocostethus by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Alphomelon arecaphile by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Alphomelon: /ˌælfəˈmiːlɒn/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

The is characterized by a spot on the near the base. Accurate identification requires examination of multiple characters including , , associations, and distribution data.

Images

Habitat

Found in diverse Neotropical including dry forest, cloud forest, rain forest, and their intergrades. Associated with plants in the Arecaceae, Bromeliaceae, Cannaceae, Commelinaceae, Heliconiaceae, and Poaceae.

Distribution

Almost entirely Neotropical, with 48 of 49 recorded from that region. Three species reach the Nearctic, with one extending as far north as 45°N in Canada.

Host Associations

Hesperiinae caterpillars - : . mostly feed on in Arecaceae, Bromeliaceae, Cannaceae, Commelinaceae, Heliconiaceae, and Poaceae.

Life Cycle

produce . Among 33 with available data, 16 produce solitary cocoons and 17 are gregarious. Cocoons are surrounded by distinctive coarse , especially in solitary species.

Behavior

Most parasitize one or very few (2–4) species, usually within one or two hesperiine . Some species parasitize several hosts from up to nine different hesperiine genera.

Ecological Role

of hesperiine , regulating of that feed primarily on plants.

More Details

Species delimitation

Neither nor alone was sufficient to delimit all properly. The 2023 revision integrated all available evidence to establish species boundaries, providing a foundation for future studies incorporating more specimens, especially from South America.

Data limitations

data primarily derives from the Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) database in northwestern Rica. Many hosts are identified to with provisional codes. data are unavailable for some species, and distribution data remain incomplete for South America.