Mesoleptus

Mesoleptus
Mesoleptus laticinctus, Norway
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Ichneumonidae
Subfamily: Phygadeuontinae
Tribe: Phygadeuontini
Genus: Mesoleptus
Gravenhorst, 1829[1]

Mesoleptus is a genus of parasitic wasp in the family Ichneumonidae with a wide geographic distribution.[2]

The antennae of its members are typically long, slender, and usually curved. The head is short and narrow with oval, slightly protruding eyes. The thorax is somewhat humped, with small wings.[3] The cellules of the wings, which are small enclosed areas between veins, are either very small or entirely absent.[3][4] It is characterized by the narrowed abdomen referred to as a petiole.[5] Abdomen shape is usually oblong and smooth.[3] The legs are slender and long, although the hindmost leg can be thickened.[3]

In 2008, Dr. Chris Williams at the National University of Ireland, Galway announced the discovery of what he believed to be a new species of Mesoleptus, for which he suggested the name Mesoleptus hibernica (for the ancient Latin name for Ireland) in an interview.[6] However, the species has yet to be confirmed or published, and is therefore not a valid species name.[7]

172 of the more than 200 species were described by Arnold Förster of Aachen, Germany.[8]

species

These 215 species belong to the genus Mesoleptus.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Mesoleptus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
  2. ^ Cameron, Peter (1883–1900). Godman, Frederick Ducane; Salvin, Osbert (eds.). Biologia Centrali-Americana. Vol. Insecta: Hymenoptera, vol. 1. Families. Published for the editors by R. H. Porter]. p. 281.
  3. ^ a b c d Stephens, James Francis (1835). Illustrations of British Entomology: Or, A Synopsis of Indigenous Insects; Containing Their Generic and Specific Distinctions; with an Account of Their Metamorphoses, Times of Appearance, Localities, Food, and Economy, as Far as Practicable. Baldwin and Cradock. pp. 211–212.
  4. ^ A Dictionary of Entomology. CABI. 2011. p. 272. ISBN 9781845935429.
  5. ^ Cresson, Ezra Townsend (1887). Synopsis of the Families and Genera of the Hymenoptera of America, North of Mexico: Together with a Catalogue of the Described Species, and Bibliography. P.C. Stockhausen, printer. p. 40.
  6. ^ "New parasite wasp species found". BBC News. 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  7. ^ Jussila, Reijo; Sääksjärvi, Ilari E.; Bordera, Santiago (2010). "Revision of the western Palaearctic Mesoleptus (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)". Annales de la Société Entomologique de France. 46 (3–4): 499–518. doi:10.1080/00379271.2010.10697687. hdl:10045/23584. S2CID 84679601.
  8. ^ a b "Catalogue of Life, Mesoleptus Gravenhorst, 1829". Retrieved 2024-10-20.