Chalcidoidea Presentation: Michael Gates - The HYM Course

Chalcidoid HymenopteraNot Quite Everything You Always Wanted to KnowMichael Gates

Chalcids◊ Currently Recognize 20 Families• Elasmidae has been sunk, Rotoitidae andKhutelchalcididae (extinct) added.• 22,000 spp. - Est. up to 500,000 spp. (Noyes 2000)◊ Mostly Parasitic on arthropods and plants• Many exceptions◊ Size is major problem for identifiers.• Convey Gestalt in the form of discrete characters.

Literature Resources◊ Chalcid Handbook 2ndEdition◊ Still available fromEntomological Soc. ofWashington

Literature Resources◊ Hymenoptera of theWorld◊ More complex keys.◊ Covers BroadRange of Taxa.

Literature Resources◊ Annotated Keys toNearctic Genera.◊ Comprehensive.◊ Nearctic, but withbroad overlappingcoverage.

Internet Resources◊ Universal Chalcidoidea Database• http://internt.nhm.ac.uk/jdsml/perth/chalcidoids/index.dsml• Multiple search capability

Hosts & Habits*Hagen 1964

Hosts & HabitsTorymus & oak applesLeucospis attacking hostMelittobia attacking bee hostPediobius foveolatusattacking beetle hostTrichogramma on egg

Morphology

Morphologycostulaplica

Recognition & Minor Families◊ Independent sclerite: prepectus.◊ Mesothoracic spiracle at exposedlateral margin mesoscutum.◊ Multiporous plate sensilla on flagellomeres.◊ Minor/Uncommon groups• Rotoitidae: Chile & New Zealand• Agaonidae: probably will not encounter.

Mounting◊ Card mounting (ref. upon request)◊ Point mounting◊ Slide mounting (ref. upon request)

Specialized Collecting Equipment

Specialized Nutritional Requirements

Agaonidae◊◊◊Diverse: > 640 spp.• Hosts: Figs, parasitic. Non-pollinating and pollinatingfig wasps.Females of Agaoninae: exserted ovipositor and forward-projectinghead with mandibles modified with a rasplike appendage.Sycoryctinae, Sycophaginae, , and Epichrysomallinae (females):forewing venation with stigmal vein subequal to marginal vein (or ifsessile, the postmarginal vein is absent), and the stigmal vein isnearly right-angled from the marginal vein. Agaonids rarely have anoccipital carina, which helps distinguish them from most Torymidae.Males of many species are wingless and highly modified beingdefinitely y bizarre among chalcidoids and distinguished from them byhabitus.Blastophaga sp.

Aphelinidae◊ Diverse: > 1000 spp.• Hosts: Scales, whiteflies◊ Characters•

Aphelinidae in AZBiology = primary in eggs ofMalacosoma;hyperparasiteson “Homoptera”.“In the net view” = 1-2mmwalker/”hopperhopper”Ablerus sp.

Pteromalidae◊ Large, variable• 3000+ spp.◊ Hosts: Insecta, Arachnida,Plantae◊ Characters:• 5 segmented tarsi• Antenna with > 8 segments.• If it’s s not something else itsprobably a pteromalid.Catolaccus sp.

Pteromalidae 2: CleonyminaeCleonyminae: pro- or metafemurenlarged; PMV 2x STV.Biology: xylophagous beetles,xylophilic aculeates.CleonymusHeydenia unica Cook & DavisChalcedectus

Pteromalidae 4: EunotinaeEunotinaeEunotinae:5 5 or 4 funicles; carinatevertex, concave occiput.Biology: various mealybugs and softscales.Scutellista gigantea Berlese

Pteromalidae 5: EutrichosomatinaeEutrichosomatinae: marginedcollar; PMV absent/short, short uncus.Biology: Curculionidae.Biology:Eutrichosoma mirabile Ashmead

Pteromalidae 6: DiparinaeDiparinae: GtGt 1 larger, bell-shaped;body usually bristly; cercus w/ long setae.Biology: ? Rearing record from bollweevil and dipteran puparium.SpalangiolelapsLelaps spp.

Pteromalidae 7: CeinaeCeinae: propodeal spiracle nearmidlength; torulus below lower eyemargin; forewing narrow with longfringe.Biology: eggs of gypsy moth, agromyzidleafminers.Spalangiopelta ciliata Yoshimoto

Pteromalidae 8: PireninaePireninae: torulus below midlineof face; antennal formula 1+5 OR with

Pteromalidae 9: AsaphinaeAsaphinae: toruli below lowereye margin; smooth thoracic dorsum;MV

Pteromalidae 10: OrmocerinaeOrmocerinae: toruli at mid-face;3-seg. clava & usually 2 anelli orseveral basal segments anelliform;clypeus quadrate & truncate.Biology: associated with galls;phytophagous.Hemadas nubilipennis (Ashmead)

Pteromalidae 11: SpalangiinaeSpalangiinae: toruli at extremelower margin of head, laterad clypeuson lobes above mouth; headprognathous & occipital foramen nearvertex; 7 funicles, clava entire.Biology: puparia of synanthropicDiptera.Spalangia cameroni Perkins

Pteromalidae 11: CerocephalinaeCerocephalinae: vertical ridgebetween toruli; strong occipital carina;body shiny, yellow to black; notaulicomplete; ovipositor often protruding;wings, if not reduced with long MV &short PMV/STV.Biology: xylophagous Coleoptera.Biology:TheocolaxCerocephalus

Pteromalidae 12: PteromalinaePteromalinae:Clypeal marginsymmetric, truncate or with 1-3teeth/lobes, deepest separation broaderthan deep.Biology: Diverse! Pupae ofLepidoptera, Coleoptera and theirHymenoptera parasitoids.Pteromalus sp.

Pteromalidae 13: MiscogastriniMiscogastrini: clypeal marginwith at least 2-3 slightly asymmetricteeth; scutellum with frenum set apartby sulcus/row of punctures.Biology: Diptera, mainlyAgromyzidae.Halticoptera sp.

Pteromalidae 13: PanstenoninaePanstenoninae: FW long,narrow; toruli high on shining convexface; petiole subquadrate, broadeningposteriorly.Biology: egg/larval predator in grassstems.Panstenon poaphilum Heydon

Encyrtidae◊ Large, extremely varied• >3,500 species◊ Hosts:Hosts: mainly Hemiptera.• Coleoptera, Diptera,Arachnida.◊ Characters• Axillae triangular and meeting• Cerci “advanced”• Mesopleuron bulgingDicarnosis erythrocephala Kerrich

EncyrtinaeTetracneminaeMicroterysAnagyrus kamali MoursiLots of intergradation: Mandibular characters,linea calvamarginal setation, outer plates ovipositor connected to Mt8by paratergites (= monophyletic Tetracneminae).Encyrtinaeparaphyletic?!

Eulophidae◊ Very Diverse: 3500+ spp.◊ Hosts: very broad◊ “Medium” to Small Size.◊ Characters• 4-segmented tarsi•

Eulophidae 1: EuderinaeEuderinae: FW usually barebehind MV but with row admarginalsetae ventrally; usually 2-3 rowsradiating setae from stigmaBiology: Lepidoptera, Coleoptera,Hymenoptera. Primary/secondaryparasitoids.Euderus spp.

Eulophidae 2: EulophinaeEulophinae: PMV usually >=STV; 2-4 funiculars.Biology: mainly leafminingLepidoptera & Diptera. Some on free-living Leps. . and Cynipid galls.Euplectrus walteri SchauffAulogymnus io (Girault)

Eulophidae 3: EntedoninaeEntedoninae: ScutellumScutellum w/ 1pair setae; SMV with 2 setae; notaulioften incomplete/absent; 1-2 funicles.Biology: mainly leafminingLepidoptera & Diptera. Some on free-living Leps. . and Cynipid galls.Paracrias guatemalensis Schauff

Eulophidae 4: TetrastichinaeTetrastichinae: PMV usuallyabsent/rudimentary; SMV usuallynarrowed/broken apically; axillaeusually advanced; scutellum oftenwith submedian grooves.Biology: Diverse! Associated Awithgalls or phyophagous; ; Dipterapuparia, , aculeate Hymenoptera.Aprostocetus diplosidis Crawford

Eulophidae in AZEntedoninaeEuderinaeParacrias guatemalensis SchauffTetrastichinaeAstichus pulchrilineatus GahanEulophinaeAprostocetus diplosidis CrawfordZagrammosoma multilineatum (Ashmead)

Chalcididae◊ Moderately diverse:• ~ 1500 spp.◊ Hosts: pupae of Leps./Diptera.◊ Characters• Parascutal/Axillar carinae.• Enlarged hind femur.• Large tegula.• Reduced prepectus.Chalcis sp.

Chalcididae 2: subfamiliesHaltichellinae: low toruli, apexmetatibia truncate with 2 spurs.Biology: Lepidoptera/ColeopteraLarvae/pupaepupae.Dirhininae:face with twostrong, edged horns; long MV,short PMV/STG.Diptera puparia.Biology: DipteraSolenochalcidiaDirhinus auratus Ashmead

Chalcididae 3: subfamiliesEpitraninae:toruli toruli near mouth onclypeal shelf; long MV no PMV; long& striate petiole.Biology: Lepidoptera larvae/pupaepupae.Biology:Chalcidinae:toruli higher onface; long PMV short STV; .Biology: Lepidoptera larvae/pupae;Some Diptera & Coleoptera.EpitranusBrachymeria albotibialis (Ashmead)

Chalcididae in AZBiology = xylophagousColeoptera.“In the net view” = 10+mm,m,walkerAcanthochalcis nigricans Cameron

Eupelmidae◊Small family of 2-30mm+• < 1000 species.◊ Hosts: broad range.• Endoparasites (eggs),ectoparasites (larvae).◊ Characters:• Fore and midcoxae separatedby swollen mesopleuron.• Concave mesoscutum.• Dead: often V-shaped.PhlebopenesBrasema

Eupelmidae 2: SubfamiliesArachnophaga sp.Eupelminae: largelarge acroplueron,membranous area anterior to mesocoxa,pronotum w/o shoulder & with med. line.Variable biology.Calosotinae:mesoscutum shouldered,evenly convex, lacking median pronotalline. Wood-boring Coleoptera.Neanastatinae largeacroplueron, , no membranous areaanterior to mesocoxa.Wood-boring Coleoptera, , gall flies.Neanastatus sp.

Mymaridae◊ Moderately diverse:• 1400 + spp., 0.1-2.5mm◊ Hosts: Eggs.◊ Characters:• Antenna:◊ Female: Clubbed◊ Male: filiform.• Wings usually fringed• Stalked hindwing.• Reduced venation

Mymaridae in AZBiology = eggs of Gryllidae.“In the net view” = 1-3mmwalker/”flitterflitter”Acmopolynema varium (Girault)

Eurytomidae◊ Moderately large:~1200+ spp, up to 9mm.◊ Hosts: Phytophagous,entomophagous or both.• “Seed Chalcids”◊ Characters:• Quadrate (broadlyrectangular) pronotum• Black, often withumbilicate sculpture◊ Pteromalid -likeBephratelloides cubensis (Ashmead)Eurytoma descartesi Girault

Eurytomidae 2: SubfamiliesAranedraEurytominae: “normalnormal” gastral terga,prepectus larger & triangular,scutellumvery rarely with spine, 1 anellus & 4-6funiculars. Various biology.Heimbrinae scutellarspine,gastralsyntergum.Hymenoptera/Coleopterain stems?Eurytoma sp.Rileya tricolor, n. sp.Rileyinae:Rileyinae:anelli anelli 2-3, funiculars 5-6;reduced prepectus; foreshortened terga.Gall midges.Heimbra opaca

Eurytomidae in AZBiology = bruchines in seedsof Fabaceaeeae.“In the net view” = 1-3mm,m,walker.Chryseida aeneiventris Ashmead

Trichogrammatidae◊ Small family:~ 650 spp., 0.2-1.5mm◊ All egg parasitoids◊ Characters• Short antennae -2 or fewerfunicles.• 3-segmented tarsi• Wings often with setaein rows.TrichogrammaCeratogramma

Eucharitidae◊ Small family:• ~ 400 spp.◊ Hosts: Ant brood,planidial 1st instar.◊ Characters:• Robust with pronotumhidden• Metasoma compressed,“rudderlike• Many with scutellarprojections.EucharitinaeOraseminaeKapalaDilocanthaOrasema

Eucharitidae in AZAssociated with Pheidole antsBiology = brood parasite.“In the net view” = 0.5cmclunky walkerOrasematoltecaMann

◊◊◊◊TorymidaeMedium to large:~ 1000 spp., up to 45mm!Many phytophagousLarvae of Hyms. . & Dips.Characters:• Long Ovipositor.• Short Stigmal vein.• Cercal “pegs”.• Podagrionines - swollenhind femur.• Megastigmines - enlargedstigma.MegastigminaeTorymidaePseuderimerus mayetiolae GahanMegastigmusPodagrioniniPodagrion

Tetracampidae◊ Small family: 3 gen., 7 spp.◊ Hosts: leaf-mining flies, eggs.◊ Characters:• 5-segmented tarsi• Fine, occipital carina•

Leucospidae◊ Small family: Few spp. in US,up to 30mm.◊ Hosts: Nesting Hymenoptera.◊ Characters:• Wing folds longitudinally.• Enlarged, dentate hind femur.• Ovipositor turned upwards ondorsum of gaster.Leucospis hopei Westwood

Leucospidae in AZAssociated with ?Biology = unrecorded.“In the net view” = 1cmclunky walker.Leucospis birkmani Brues

Tanaostigmatidae◊ Small family:

Tanaostigmatidae in AZAssociated with Acaciaconstricta (Fabaceae).Biology?“In the net view” = 2mmpink and black ‘hopper’Tanastigma stanleyi LaSalle

Ormyridae◊ Small family: Few species, upto 5mm.◊ Hosts: Gall-forming Hymenoptera◊ Characters:• Pitted, crenulate border ongastral terga.• Metatibia: 2 stout, curved spurs.Ormyrus nitidulus (F.)

PerilampidaePerilampinae◊ Small family: Few spp. (~50Nearctic), up to 5mm.◊ Hosts: Hymenoptera, Coleopteramostly.◊ Characters:• 13 segmented antenna: 1anellus, 7 funicles.• Mesosoma short and high inlateral view.• Gaster triangular in profile:Mt 2+3 fused dorsally.• Prepectal differences separatesubfamilies.Perilampus regalis SmulyanChrysolampinaeChrysolampus sp.

Perilampidae in AZAssociated with ?Biology = probprob. . secondaryparasite of Leps. . thru Ichs.“In the net view” = 0.5cmclunky walkerEuperilampus triangularis (Say)

Signiphoridae◊ Small family: ~75 spp., up to2mm.◊ Hosts: Diptera, “Homoptera”mostly.◊ Characters:• Forewing disc bare.• 2-4 anelli + unsegmented clava.• Triangular median region onpropodeum.Signiphora sp.

Fossil Taxa◊ Khutelchalcididae Rasnitsyn, Basibuyuk & Quicke 2004• Rasnitsyn, A.P.; Basibuyuk, , H.H.; Quicke, , D.L.J. 2004, , A basal chalcidoid(Insecta:: Hymenoptera) from the earliest Cretaceous or latest Jurassic ofMongolia. Insect Systematics and Evolution 35(2):129.

Challenge Slide #1◊ Find this and win a specialprize!• What: Leptofoenus rufusLaSalle & Stage(Pteromalidae)• Where: around Portal◊ 15++ mm◊ On fabaceous shrubs(e.g. Mimosa)Leptofoenus rufus LaSalle & Stage

Challenge Slide #2◊ Find this and win a specialprize!• What: Phlebopenesabdominalis Ashmead(Eupelmidae)• Where: SE Arizona◊ 25mm++◊ On dead/dying twigsinfested with Coleoptera.PhlebopenesviridisWestwood

Challenge Slide #3◊ Find this and win a specialprize!• What: Archaeopelmatropeotergum Gibson(Eupelmidae)• Chunky, dark metallic color• Where: AZ, TX, MX◊ 8mm+◊ On dead/dying twigsinfested with xylophagousbeetles? Assoc. w/Colubrina (Rhamnaceae)Gibson 1989

Acknowledgements◊ David Furth & Dezmond Smith (Smithsonian Institution)◊ Matt Buffington, Robert Kula, Jeffrey Chiu, Alma Solis, PatEspenshade (Systematic Entomology Lab.)◊ Mike Sharkey, Martha Potts, Barb Sharanowski, , Ray Fisher, AndyBoring, Katie “Hectic” Kieler (University of Kentucky).◊ Katja Seltmann (Florida State University).◊ Traci Allen, Ronald Pearce & Paul (Range Mgmt, Marine Corps AirStation).◊ Dawn Wilson and Diane Smith (SWRS).◊ David Eslinger (Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge).◊ E. E. Grissell (SEL, ret.).◊ Jeremiah George (University of California, Riverside).◊ United States Border Patrol.