Neurogalesus carinatus

Neurogalesus carinatus is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Diapriidae, first described in 1907. It uses the Australian soldier fly Inopus rubriceps as a host, sharing its range in pastured areas of South East Queensland, northern New South Wales and its non-native range on the North Island of New Zealand.

Description

Neurogalesus carinatus have deep red-coloured legs and antennae, with a female body length of up to 5.5mm. It can be distinguished from Neurogalesus dissimilis and Neurogalesus rubripes by having a sulcus on either side of the median groove at the base of the abdomen.

Distribution

The earliest recorded sighting of Neurogalesus carinatus in New Zealand is in 1985, after a specimen was collected from Māngere in Auckland. As of 2014, no specimens have been collected from New Zealand native bush environments, suggesting that the fly exclusively lives in urban environments and pastures. No species of fly other than Inopus rubriceps present in New Zealand are known to act as hosts for Neurogalesus carinatus.