Microgastrinae
Microgastrinae is a subfamily of braconid wasps, encompassing almost 3,000 described species, with an estimated 30,000–50,000 total species. This makes it one of the richest subfamilies with the most species of parasitoid wasps.
Genera
These 84 genera belong to the subfamily Microgastrinae:Agupta Fernandez-Triana, 2018Alloplitis Nixon, 1965Alphomelon Mason, 1981Apanteles Förster, 1862Austinicotesia Fernandez-Triana, 2018Austrocotesia Austin & Dangerfield, 1992Beyarslania Koçak & Kemal, 2009Billmasonius Fernandez-Triana, 2018Buluka de Saeger, 1948Carlmuesebeckius Fernandez-Triana, 2018Chaoa Luo & You, 2004Choeras Mason, 1981Clarkinella Mason, 1981Cotesia Cameron, 1891Cuneogaster Choi & Whitfield, 2006Dasylagon Muesebeck, 1958Deuterixys Mason, 1981Diolcogaster Ashmead, 1900Distatrix Mason, 1981Dodogaster Rousse, 2013Dolichogenidea Viereck, 1911Eripnopelta Chen, 2017Exix Mason, 1981Exoryza Mason, 1981Exulonyx Mason, 1981Fornicia Brullé, 1846Gilbertnixonius Fernandez-Triana, 2018Glyptapanteles Asmead, 1904Hygroplitis Thomson, 1895Hypomicrogaster Ashmead, 1898Iconella Mason, 1981Illidops Mason, 1981Janhalacaste Fernandez-Triana, 2018Jenopappius Fernandez-Triana, 2018 Jimwhitfieldius Fernandez-Triana, 2018Keylimepie Fernández-Triana, 2016Kiwigaster Fernández-Triana, Whitfield & Ward, 2011Kotenkosius Fernandez-Triana, 2018Larissimus Nixon, 1965Lathrapanteles Williams, 1985Mariapanteles Whitfield & Fernández-Triana, 2012Markshawius Fernandez-Triana, 2018Microgaster Latreille, 1804Microplitis Förster, 1862Miropotes Nixon, 1965Napamus Papp, 1993Neoclarkinella Rema & Narendran, 1996Nyereria Mason, 1981Ohenri Fernandez-Triana, 2018Papanteles Mason, 1981Parapanteles Ashmead, 1900Parenion Nixon, 1965Paroplitis Mason, 1981Pelicope Mason, 1981Philoplitis Nixon, 1965Pholetesor Mason, 1981Prasmodon Nixon, 1965Promicrogaster Brues & Richardson, 1913Protapanteles Ashmead, 1898Protomicroplitis Ashmead, 1898Pseudapanteles Ashmead, 1898Pseudofornicia van Achterberg, 2015Pseudovenanides Xiao & You, 2002Qrocodiledundee Fernandez-Triana, 2018Rasivalva Mason, 1981Rhygoplitis Mason, 1981Sathon Mason, 1981Semionis Nixon, 1965Sendaphne Nixon, 1965Shireplitis Fernández-Triana & Wardan Achterberg, 2013Silvaspinosus Fernandez-Triana, 2018Snellenius Westwood 1882Tobleronius Fernandez-Triana, 2018Ungunicus Fernandez-Triana, 2018Venanides Mason, 1981Venanus Mason, 1981Wilkinsonellus Mason, 1981Xanthapanteles Whitfield, 1995Xanthomicrogaster Cameron, 1911Ypsilonigaster Fernandez-Triana, 2018Zachterbergius Fernandez-Triana, 2018Description and distribution
These wasps are small, with 18 segmented antennae. Most species are black or brown, a few are more colorful. Many species are morphologically similar enough to be considered cryptic species. Species within this subfamily have a worldwide distribution. 135 species of Microgastrinae have been confirmed from Canada, though the number may be as high as 275. At least 28 species have been identified from Turkey in Gökçeada and Bozcaada.Biology
Microgastrinae are koinobiont, primary endoparasitoids of larval Lepidoptera. While most species are solitary, many are gregarious, meaning multiple wasp eggs develop within the same caterpillar. When the eggs hatch the wasp larvae feed on the hemolymph and organs of their host. Once fully developed, the larvae exit the dying caterpillar and immediately spin silken cocoons where they pupate.Microgastrinae is one of six subfamilies of Braconidae which carry polydnaviruses.
More than 100 species of Microgastrinae have been used in biological control programs.