Figitidae
Callaspidia sp.
The Figitidae are a family of Hymenoptera ( Hymenoptera). They are classified in the Gallwespenartigen ( Cynipoidea ) within the " Legimmen " and are considered sister family of gall wasps ( Cynipidae ), where they look very similar. In contrast to the Figitidae gall wasps are parasitoids, however. The world used family comprises about 1400 described species, it is, however, believed that a multiple of that number is still undescribed.
Features
Figitidae are dark brown or black usually small insects (body size to about 5 millimeters ) and unobtrusively and without striking drawing. The Figitidae are morphologically very diverse, and include a number of sub-families, which are very different in body shape to some extent. Some of these subfamilies were previously regarded as separate families, they were downgraded in the comprehensive revision of the group by Fredrik Ronquist to subfamilies. As Gallwespenartige they are recognizable especially in the characteristic Flügelgeäder and at high and also very narrow free abdomen. From her sister's family Cynipidae ( gall wasps ) they are difficult to distinguish. The Figitidae the Mesoscutum ( sclerite of the thorax, between the wings ) is almost always shining, while it is dull at the Cynipidae by micro- sculpture, although there is exceptions. The triangular edge cell in the forewing is closed when the Figitidae usually to the wing edge, open at the Cynipidae. The scutellum of Figitidae almost always indicates either strong keels or a raised box ( Pronotumplatte ). On Metasoma ( free abdomen) is usually the third tergite largest, at the Cynipidae, it is the fourth. The most important distinguishing feature is the inwardness of the ovipositor ( ovipositor ), which has a secondary articulation in the Figitidae, however, this is not externally visible. A distinctive feature of many Figitidae is a special structure on the ovipositor, the " ovipositor clip". This structure is used to prevent the escape of the moving or the struggling host larva, especially with fly maggots in dung, carrion, rotting plants and lying on the ground, rotting fruit that elude otherwise by retreat into the substrate access the parasitoid could. There is a notch on the ventral side of the ovipositor, which is covered by a flexible attachment. This gets stuck in the cuticle of the host larva. Interestingly, the wasps must learn the proper use of the clip only by experience. For all Figitidae the long, thin ovipositor is hidden in the rest position in the abdomen. In some groups it is rotated one hundred eighty degrees so that the ventral side facing up.
Way of life
All Figitidae as larvae are parasitoids of other insect species. Most species parasitize larvae of Diptera here (Diptera ) from numerous families who live ( like feces, carrion, rotting fruits, algae Watten ) in decaying organic matter. They remain in the rule until after pupation in the host and hatch from the puparium from. Some Eucoilinae parasitize at Minierfliegenlarven ( family Agromyzidae ), the nate in leaves. The Aspericinae parasitize hoverfly. The Anacharitinae are parasitoids of blattlausjagenden Netzflüglerlarven ( lacewings and Taghafte, order Neuroptera ). The species of the subfamilies Parnipinae and Thrasorinae parasitize gelatinous convincing Cynipidae, so other Hymenoptera. The Charipinae and Aspericinae are Hyperparasitoide of Brackwespen and jewel wasps that parasitize aphids.
The female lays its egg with its ovipositor usually in eggs or larvae (usually young larvae ) of the host. The Parasitoidenlarve eats inside the living further and further monitored host ( koinobionter parasitoid ). The larva often leaves its host in the penultimate instar and feeding on the corpse from the outside further.
System
The Figitidae family is divided into nine subfamilies:
- Parnipinae. Only one species ( Parnips nigripes ). Parasitoid of the gall wasp Barbotinia oraniensis, the bile in poppy capsules invests. Mediterranean region.
- Thrasorinae. Striking through extended rear hips ( coxae ). By Matt Mesoscutum and fused third and fourth Hinterleibstergit very gallwespenähnlich. Only in Australia and South America. Parasitoids of Gallwespenlarven ( on Nothofagus and Myrtaceae ) or gallbildenden Erzwespenlarven ( Myrtopsen mimosae to Tanaostigmodes albiclavis. Chalcidoidea, Tanaostigmatidae, Gallbildner at Mimosa biuncifera It is possible that this type inquiline, ie feeding on gall tissue itself, this would be the only case in the family ).
- Charipinae. Small pets (up to 3 mm). Striking by smooth, little sculptured body surface. Hyperparasitoide of ore and Brackwespen on aphids and psyllids. Spread worldwide.
- Anacharitinae. Striking by extremely long, stalked abdomen (long petiole ) and broad, triangular shaped head. Parasitoids of predatory Netzflüglerlarven. Spread worldwide.
- Figitinae. Parasitoids of fly maggots ( genus Melanips to hoverfly ). Spread worldwide. Possibly paraphyletic.
- Aspericinae. The tergite of the third abdominal segment sunk saddle-shaped. Parasitoids of hoverfly, which are aphid predators themselves. Spread worldwide.
- Emargininae. Striking by bilobed front wing. Species-poor, tropical widespread. In conjunction with Ameisenbauten. Maybe parasitoids of Diptera larvae as inquilines in ants.
- Pycnostigminae. Three species, only in Africa. Biology unknown.
- Eucoilinae. Pronotum with striking Pronotumplatte ( round or teardrop-shaped platy survey). Some species wingless. The first two (males) or three (females ) tergites of the broad abdomen (behind the petiole ) merged. Parasitoids of fly maggots. Some species are used for biological pest control, especially against fruit flies of the family Tephritidae ( fruit flies ). With over 1000 species by far most species-rich subfamily.