Zelostemma thorpei

Zelostemma thorpei
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Platygastridae
Genus:	Zelostemma
Species:	Z. thorpei
Binomial name
Zelostemma thorpei Buhl, 2017

Zelostemma thorpei is a species of parasitoid wasp belonging to the family Platygastridae.[1] First described by Peter Neerup Buhl in 2017, it is endemic to New Zealand.

Taxonomy

The species was identified by Danish entomologist Peter Neerup Buhl in 2017, during a review of the genus Zelostemma during which Buhl identified 30 new species from New Zealand entomology collections based on morphological differences.[2] Z. thorpei was identified based on specimens collected from Huia, West Auckland in December 1980 by P. A. Maddison and B. M. May.[2] Buhl named the species after New Zealand entomologist Stephen E. Thorpe.[2]

Description

Females of Z. thorpei have a body length of 1.5 mm (0.059 in), and light brown legs and coxae. The species can be differentiated from Z. laevicornu due to having a differently shaped metasoma.[2]

Distribution

The species is endemic to New Zealand.[3] As of 2024, specimens have only being identified in the vicinity of Huia and the Manukau Harbour in the Auckland Region.[1][2]

References

1. "Zelostemma thorpei Buhl, 2017". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
2. Buhl, Peter N. (2017). "New species and a key to species of the New Zealand genus Zelostemma Masner & Huggert, 1989, (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae)". Entomologist's Monthly Magazine. 153 (1): 59–72. ISSN 0013-8908. Wikidata Q129861891.
3. "Zelostemma thorpei Buhl, 2017". New Zealand Organisms Register. Retrieved 19 September 2024.