Agrothereutes abbreviatus rufopectus
Cushman, 1927
Agrothereutes abbreviatus rufopectus is a of ichneumon described by Cushman in 1927. The Agrothereutes abbreviatus is a known of spider sacs, including those of the orb-weaving spider Argiope aurantia. The subspecies rufopectus has been recorded from Belgium and Canada.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Agrothereutes abbreviatus rufopectus: /ˌæɡroʊˈθɛruːtiːz əˌbriːviˈeɪtəs ˌruːfoʊˈpɛktəs/
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Distribution
Belgium (Flemish Region and Walloon Region) and Canada (Alberta: Bilby and Drumheller).
Host Associations
- Argiope aurantia - of sacsChief of sacs according to Lockley and Young (1993) study
Ecological Role
; contributes to natural control of spider by attacking sacs.
Similar Taxa
- Tromatopia rufopectusHistorical confusion or synonymy; the source text refers to 'Tromatopia rufopectus' as the chief of Argiope aurantia sacs, but this likely represents Agrothereutes abbreviatus rufopectus or a related given the matching epithet and ecological role.
More Details
Taxonomic Note
The epithet 'rufopectus' (meaning 'red-breasted') suggests a color morph distinguished by reddish thoracic coloration. The original description by Cushman (1927) would contain diagnostic details.
Research Context
This was identified in a 1993 study by Lockley and Young as one of the most significant of Argiope aurantia sacs, with 19 of insects and 11 species of other spiders recorded emerging from these egg sacs.