Polyblastus tibialis

(Cresson, 1864)

A of ichneumon in the Tryphoninae. Documented from western Canada with records from Alberta. Belongs to a of koinobiont ectoparasitoids that attack larvae. The specific epithet 'tibialis' likely refers to a characteristic of the tibia.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Polyblastus tibialis: /ˌpɒlɪˈblæstəs tɪˈbaɪəlɪs/

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Distribution

Western Canada: recorded from Edmonton and Jumping Pound Creek (20 mi W Calgary) in Alberta, and Turtle Mountain Forest Reserve.

Host Associations

Sawfly larvae (Symphyta) - koinobiont ectoparasitoidBased on -level ; specific records for this not documented

Behavior

Females have been observed carrying multiple externally, apparently accumulating eggs on the ovipositor after unsuccessful oviposition attempts. This appears to be a consequence of large egg loads characteristic of koinobiont ichneumonids.

Ecological Role

of larvae; contributes to of sawflies in forest .

Similar Taxa

Other Polyblastus species-level identification requires detailed examination; 'tibialis' specific epithet suggests tibial character may aid distinction
Other Tryphonini generaKoinobiont ectoparasitoids of with similar ; morphological details of ovipositor and separate

More Details

Taxonomic note

Authored by Cresson in 1864. The specific epithet 'tibialis' is shared with other Hymenoptera (e.g., Steniolia tibialis in Bembicidae), but refers to different .

Research context

Limited published information specific to this ; most biological knowledge inferred from -level studies of Polyblastus and tribe Tryphonini.