Mesochorinae

Jenny Janis
Environmental Health Science
University of Georgia, Athens

Index

Natural History
New World Genera
Identification Guide
Photographs
References
Acknowledgements

Natural History

There are nine genera and around 600 species in the subfamily Mesochorinae(Wahl, 1993). Mesochorinae have been found world-wide, but Dasch notes that they are commonly found in temperate and subarctic regions. Dasch also mentions Mesochorinae can be sighted at "higher altitudes in the warmer regions of the earth"(Dasch, 1974). All species within the subfamily are endoparasites. Parasites of Lepidoptera, Symphyta, Coleoptera, Miridae, Psocoptera have all been used to rear Mesochorinae(Krombein et al., 1979). Some evidence suggests that a few species are primary parasites, however, most references strongly suggest they are obligate hyperparasitoids of primarily Ichneumonoidea and Tachinidae(Wahl, 1993). For this reason, Mesochorinae may adversely affect the desired result of the introduction of an exotic species. The introduction of parasitic wasps for biological control needs to consider the population of Mesochorinae that may either be in the area or accidentally introduced(Wahl, 1993).
At one time, Mesochorinae were a part of the tribe Ophioninae, but Townes (1945) created a separate subfamily for them. Classifying Mesochorinae may prove to be a complex task due to sexual dimorphism. The males and females of the same species may look very different. It is especially challenging when there are few specimens to compare markings (Dasch, 1974).
There are also fossil records of Mesochorinae. "C.T. Brues (1910. Cambr. Mass. Bul. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard Coll. 54: 1-125) described 8 species from the Florissant beds of Colorado. These are Miocene deposits"(Dasch, 1971).

Index New World Genera

Artherola
Astiphromma
Chineater
Cidaphus
Latilumbus
Lepidura
Mesochorus
Thamester
Varnado

Identification Guide

The identification guide is currently under construction. Sorry for any inconvienence.

Photographs

The photograph page is currently under construction. Sorry for any inconvienence.

References

Dasch, C. 1971. Ichneumon-Flies of America North of Mexico. n16. American Entomological Institute. Ann Arbor Michigan.
Dasch, C. 1974. Neotropic Mesochorinae (Hymenoptera:Ichneumonidae). n22. The American Entomological Institute, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Krombein, Karl V., Paul D. Hurd, Jr., David R. Smith, and Burks, B.D. 1979. Catalog of Hymenoptera in America North of Mexico.v1. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C..
Wahl, D. 1993. "Cladistics of the genera of Mesochorinae (Hymenoptera:Ichneumonidae)" American Entomological Institute, Gainesville, Florida.

Acknowledgements

I would like thank all of the members of Dr. Pickering's lab team including Dr. Pickering, Ryan, Elizabeth, Beth, Heather, Linda, Bryan, Jessica, Julie and many others that helped me throughout the research and development of this informative page.