Sussaba pulchella

Distinguished from congeners by male tyloid color and shape, which are species-specific. The laterally compressed metasoma may indicate adaptation to hosts in concealed habitats. Identification to species level typically requires examination of male antennal structures.

Small wasp with forewing length approximately 4 mm. Metasoma laterally compressed. Males possess tyloids—raised ovoid cuticular areas on antennal flagellomeres—used in courtship. Male tyloids have species-specific color and shape that aid in identification.

Frequently collected by sweep netting in woodland environments. Specimen for genome sequencing was collected in Wytham Woods, Bert's Pheasant Pen, England, UK. The laterally compressed body form suggests possible association with root-dwelling or otherwise concealed hosts.

Widespread across Britain; global range encompasses much of the Palaearctic, Nearctic, and India. Documented from Belgium, Canada (Calgary, Edmonton, Gull Lake), and the United Kingdom.

• Syrphidae - parasitoid ofSpecific host stage preference unknown but expected to be egg or early instar based on related genera

Diplazontines emerge from host puparium but oviposit in either the egg of the syrphid host (in developing embryo), early instar larva, or mid-instar larva. Exact host stage for S. pulchella not directly observed.

Males coil their antennae around female antennae during courtship, using the tyloids in this process. The species is frequently collected by sweep netting, suggesting active movement in vegetation.

Parasitoid of hoverfly larvae, likely contributing to regulation of syrphid populations in ecosystems where both occur.

Genome sequenced as part of the Darwin Tree of Life project, representing the first high-quality genome for the genus Sussaba. Genome assembly: 299.91 Mb with 81.88% scaffolded into 15 chromosomal pseudomolecules; mitochondrial genome 34.69 kb.

• Sussaba flavipesPublished host records from Sphaerophoria scripta attributed to S. pulchella are probable misidentifications of S. flavipes

Published host records from Sphaerophoria scripta are likely erroneous and probably represent misidentifications of Sussaba flavipes rather than S. pulchella.

• parasitoid
• Diplazontinae
• Syrphidae
• genome sequenced
• Darwin Tree of Life

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Bembicid Holdings | Entomology Research Museum
• Erebidae | Beetles In The Bush | Page 2
• The genome sequence of the ichneumonid wasp, Sussaba pulchella (Holmgren, 1858) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae).