Brachycyrtus pretiosus

Cushman, 1936

Brachycyrtus pretiosus is a small in the Brachycyrtinae, first described by Cushman in 1936. The was originally known from Central America and has since been documented in Brazil and Venezuela, with distributional records expanded through recent taxonomic revisions. As a member of Ichneumonidae, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific associations remain unconfirmed.

Brachycyrtus pretiosus by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Brachycyrtus pretiosus: /ˌbrækɪˈsɜrtəs priˈtiːoʊsəs/

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Identification

Distinguished from other Brachycyrtus by comparative morphological features detailed in taxonomic keys for the . The 2024 Brazilian synopsis provides illustrated identification keys distinguishing B. pretiosus from including B. convergens, B. cosmetus, B. oculatus, B. veriatrix, B. walkleyae, and B. zani.

Images

Distribution

Brazil (states of Espírito Santo and São Paulo), Venezuela. Originally described from Central America; Brazilian records expanded in 2024 taxonomic revision.

Ecological Role

(-level inference; no specific records documented for this ).

Similar Taxa

Brachycyrtus cosmetusSympatric in Brazil; distinguished in identification keys and confirmed associations with Chrysopidae (Ceraeochrysa valida, C. fairchildi) that do not apply to B. pretiosus.
Brachycyrtus convergensSympatric Brazilian distinguished in comparative and illustrated keys.
Brachycyrtus oculatusSympatric Brazilian distinguished in comparative and illustrated keys.

More Details

Taxonomic History

Originally described by Cushman in 1936. Brazilian distributional records were significantly expanded in a 2024 taxonomic synopsis that reviewed all 12 Brazilian of the .

Host Association Uncertainty

While B. cosmetus has documented associations with green lacewings (Chrysopidae), no records have been confirmed for B. pretiosus. Host associations should not be inferred from .