Pristomerus

Curtis, 1836

Species Guides

Pristomerus is a of in the Ichneumonidae, Cremastinae, distributed worldwide with greatest diversity in tropical regions. Members are solitary koinobiont endoparasitoids that attack concealed larvae of small Lepidoptera. Several have been employed in programs. The genus exhibits high regional , with 49 species recognized from the Afrotropical region, 22 from Australia (19 newly described in 2016), and 15 from Madagascar (12 ).

Pristomerus flavus by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pristomerus olamonus by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pristomerus: //prɪˈstɒmərəs//

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Identification

Australian with a tooth on the side of the hind can be identified using the dichotomous key provided by Broad et al. (2016), which distinguishes 22 species based on morphological characters. Afrotropical species are distinguished by colour patterns with ecological and geographical correlates, with an illustrated key to females available. Malagasy species show high with only 3 of 15 species occurring outside Madagascar.

Images

Habitat

Tropical , particularly in Northern Queensland and the Northern Territories of Australia where Australian are most diverse. Occurs in agricultural settings including brinjal (eggplant) crops where P. euzopherae has been recorded.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution with majority of in tropics. Documented from: Afrotropical Region (49 species); Australia (22 species, with 5 previously reported ); Madagascar (15 species, 12 endemic); Iran (multiple species including P. mirzakhaniae); India (P. euzopherae in Uttar Pradesh); Scandinavia (records from Denmark, Norway, Sweden).

Seasonality

In Uttar Pradesh, India, P. euzopherae observed from second fortnight of April, peaking in July (12.48% parasitization) with June showing intermediate levels (7.73%).

Host Associations

Euzophera perticella - endoparasitoidlarvae of this pyralid stem borer in brinjal crops
small Lepidoptera - endoparasitoidconcealed larvae attacked worldwide

Behavior

Solitary koinobiont endoparasitoid. Females attack concealed larvae. New host records reported for P. pallidus in Afrotropical region.

Ecological Role

agent of lepidopteran pests; P. euzopherae contributes to natural suppression of brinjal stem borer in agricultural .

Human Relevance

Used in biocontrol programs against lepidopteran pests. P. euzopherae provides natural of brinjal stem borer (Euzophera perticella) in eggplant in India.

Similar Taxa

Trathalahistorically confused with Pristomerus; erroneous reports of T. concolor in South Africa were actually misidentifications

More Details

Taxonomic activity

The has undergone extensive recent revision: 31 new Afrotropical described in 2015, 19 new Australian species in 2016, and 12 new Malagasy species in 2013. Colour patterns in Afrotropical species show correlations with and geography.

Phylogeographic uncertainty

Origin of Australian Pristomerus fauna remains unresolved: may represent Southern relict elements with South American affinities, or result from more recent Paleotropical immigration. Dated required for resolution.