Rhyssinae
Rhyssinae
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Superfamily: Ichneumonoidea
- Family: Ichneumonidae
- Subfamily: Rhyssinae
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Rhyssinae: /ˈrɪsaɪˌneɪ/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Rhyssinae is a subfamily of parasitoid wasps within the Ichneumonidae family, comprising eight genera and 259 described species globally. Known for long ovipositors used to lay eggs on wood-boring insect larvae, they have distinct morphological features that set them apart from similar taxa.
Physical Characteristics
Medium to large size; very long ovipositor that can exceed 200 mm; cylindrical abdomen becoming dorsolaterally compressed apically; hind coxae lengths are more than twice their width; presence of small triangular areolet in all but one species (Epirhyssa mexicana).
Identification Tips
Distinguished from other ichneumonids by strong ridges on the mesoscutum. Can be confused with Pseudorhyssa nigricornis (Pimplinae), but can be differentiated by anterolateral grooves on T2 not found in Rhyssinae and/or the apex of T8 not terminating as a polished horn. Some Pimplinae (especially Ephialtini) may also be superficially similar, but lack the extent of transverse ridges on the mesoscutum.
Habitat
Primarily found in northeastern hardwood forests; also present in tropical environments, though only two genera exist there.
Distribution
15 species across 4 genera in the U.S.; worldwide, 234 described species in 8 genera, with tropical countries having only 2 genera. Fossil evidence found in German Messel pit from the Eocene (approximately 47 million years ago).
Diet
Idiobiont ectoparasitoids, primarily targeting immature wood-boring endopterygote insects such as larval woodwasps (Siricidae and Xiphydriidae).
Life Cycle
Life cycle involves laying eggs in the larvae of host insects, usually wood-boring beetles or horntails. Some members may develop as facultative hyperparasitoids on other woodwasp parasitoids or other endopterygotes, with flexibility to thrive on unnatural surrogate hosts in laboratory conditions.
Reproduction
Utilize long ovipositors to bore into tree trunks to lay eggs on host larvae.
Ecosystem Role
Play a role in controlling wood-boring insect populations by parasitizing their larvae.
Evolution
Oldest reliable fossil records date back to the Eocene, around 47 million years ago in a German Messel pit.
Misconceptions
Some genera may be mistaken for Pimplinae due to superficial similarities, but key morphological traits separate them.
Tags
- Rhyssinae
- Ichneumonidae
- parasitoids
- wood-boring insects
- ovipositors