Synopeas hopkinsi

(Crawford & Bradley, 1911)

Synopeas hopkinsi is a minute in the Platygastridae, first described by Crawford and Bradley in 1911. Members of the Synopeas are known to parasitize gall midges (Cecidomyiidae), though the specific associations for S. hopkinsi remain undocumented. The is characterized by an extremely small body size and typical platygastrid , including a short spine on the scutellum that distinguishes the genus from related . Like other Synopeas species, likely locate hosts using chemical cues associated with host damage or activity.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Synopeas hopkinsi: /sɪˈnoʊ.piːˌæs ˈhɒp.kɪn.si/

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Identification

Identification of Synopeas hopkinsi to level requires examination of specimens under high magnification; field identification from photographs is generally not possible. The Synopeas can be distinguished from similar platygastrid genera by the presence of a short spine on the scutellum (the ). Within the genus, species differentiation relies on subtle morphological characters of the , mesosoma, and metasoma that are not visible without microscopic examination.

Distribution

Described from North America; specific locality data for the not provided in available sources. The Synopeas is broadly distributed across the Nearctic region with 44 described .

Ecological Role

As a member of Platygastridae, likely functions as a regulating of gall midges (Cecidomyiidae), though specific ecological impacts of S. hopkinsi are undocumented.

Similar Taxa

  • Synopeas ruficoxumBoth belong to the 'craterum group' within Synopeas, characterized by an elongate metasoma; distinguished by differences in appendage coloration and geographic distribution
  • Synopeas maximumCongeneric of gall midges with similar ; S. maximum specifically targets soybean gall midge (Resseliella maxima) and was described from Minnesota in 2023
  • Leptacis spp.Co-occurring platygastrid of xylophilous gall midges; distinguished by scutellar and other subtle structural characters

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