Netelia is a genus of ichneumonid wasps in the subfamily Tryphoninae. There are over 330 described species in Netelia grouped into 12 subgenera.[1][2][3]
Description and identification
Netelia generally are entirely orange to brownish yellow in color and are medium to large in size, with a fore wing measuring between 6 and 20 mm. They have large ocelli, which often touch the compound eyes and mandibles that are twisted 90°.[4] Both their antennae and legs are conspicuously long for ichneumonids.[5] In contrast to the superficially similar Ophioninae, the forewing usually has veins 2r-m and 3r-m present, the latter of which forms a small, triangular areolet, and has the Rs vein strongly bent as it approaches 3r-m. The ovipositor is also prominent, ranging from 0.3 to 0.7 times the length of the hind tibia.[4]
Identification of species is problematic as most species are similar in both morphology and coloration. The only reliable way to diagnose species is through examination of male genitalia, particularly a structure on the clasper.[5][4][6] The strong similarity between species has resulted in misidentifications as well as erroneous reports of species well outside of their natural ranges.[4]
Distribution
This genus is cosmopolitan.[1][4] The genus has a high density of species, with 81 species reported just between the United States and Canada, for example.[7][8]
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Carlson, Robert W. (1979). "Family Ichneumonidae". In Krombein, Karl V.; Hurd, Paul D. Jr.; Smith, David R.; Burks, B.D. (eds.). Catalog of Hymenoptera in America North of Mexico. Vol. 2. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. pp. 359–364.
^Poole, R.W.; Gentili, P. (1996). Nomina Insecta Nearctica: A Check List of the Insects of North America. Vol 2: Hymenoptera, Mecoptera, Megaloptera, Neuroptera, Raphidioptera, Trichoptera. Rockville, Maryland: Entomological Information Services. pp. 793 pp. ISBN1-889002-02-X.
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