Glyptapanteles

General description: 

The following notes are taken from Mason (1981). However, the definition of the genus Glyptapanteles is a controversial issue, and more studies should be done before concluding on the topic. On one hand, some authors consider Glyptapanteles just a synonym of Protapanteles, and place all known species within the latest genus (e.g. van Achterberg 2003, Yu et al. 2012). On the other hand, tropical areas contain an extraordinary number of species and considerable variation strongly suggesting that several genera might be split from Glyptapanteles as currently understood.

Type: Glyptapanteles manilae Ashmead 1905 = Apanteles ashmeadi Wilkinson 1928. Wilkinson proposed A. ashmeadi as a new name for the secondary homonym G. manilae (Ashmead) 1905 (not A. manilae Ashmead 1904) when he transferred the former species to Apanteles. The replacement name is permanent (Art. 59 (b) (i), amended 1972, Bul. zool. Nom. 29: 180).

Hypopygium of female evenly sclerotized from side to side, never with a series of parallel longitudinal creases. Ovipositor sheath short and mostly concealed by hypopygium, its length not over half that of hind tibia (rarely longer, but if so hypopygium is large and acutely pointed, concealing most of the ovipositor); sheath with only a few hairs and these concentrated near the apex. Tergite I never wider at apex, at least 1.5 times as long as its greatest width, the sides either gradually converging apically or parallel for the basal 0.8 (+/-) and strongly rounded to apex. Tergum II with a pair of grooves diverging apically and delimiting a tergite that is subtriangular or truncate-pyramidal, but with apical width about equal to length; sometimes lateral grooves are lost among many diverging aciculations. Tergite II 0.5-1.0 as long as tergum III. Basal two tergites often completely smooth and polished but varying from that to mostly rugulose or rugoaciculate. Propodeum usually completely or mostly smooth but often with coriaceous, punctate, or rugulose sculpture covering all or part of surface; rarely with a median longitudinal carina but never with even a trace of areola. Distal half of margin of vannal lobe of hindwing convex, with or without a fringe of hairs; areolet always open. Larva- Blade of mandible varying greatly; toothless or with a group of large or small terminal teeth or a full row of small wide teeth. Hosts. A wide variety of Macrolepidoptera. Many of the species are gregarious.

The following notes are taken from Mason (1981). However, the definition of the genus Glyptapanteles is a controversial issue, and more studies should be done before concluding on the topic. On one hand, some authors consider Glyptapanteles just a synonym of Protapanteles, and place all known species within the latest genus (e.g. van Achterberg 2003, Yu et al. 2012). On the other hand, tropical areas contain an extraordinary number of species and considerable variation strongly suggesting that several genera might be split from Glyptapanteles as currently understood.

Type: Glyptapanteles manilae Ashmead 1905 = Apanteles ashmeadi Wilkinson 1928. Wilkinson proposed A. ashmeadi as a new name for the secondary homonym G. manilae (Ashmead) 1905 (not A. manilae Ashmead 1904) when he transferred the former species to Apanteles. The replacement name is permanent (Art. 59 (b) (i), amended 1972, Bul. zool. Nom. 29: 180).

Hypopygium of female evenly sclerotized from side to side, never with a series of parallel longitudinal creases. Ovipositor sheath short and mostly concealed by hypopygium, its length not over half that of hind tibia (rarely longer, but if so hypopygium is large and acutely pointed, concealing most of the ovipositor); sheath with only a few hairs and these concentrated near the apex. Tergite I never wider at apex, at least 1.5 times as long as its greatest width, the sides either gradually converging apically or parallel for the basal 0.8 (+/-) and strongly rounded to apex. Tergum II with a pair of grooves diverging apically and delimiting a tergite that is subtriangular or truncate-pyramidal, but with apical width about equal to length; sometimes lateral grooves are lost among many diverging aciculations. Tergite II 0.5-1.0 as long as tergum III. Basal two tergites often completely smooth and polished but varying from that to mostly rugulose or rugoaciculate. Propodeum usually completely or mostly smooth but often with coriaceous, punctate, or rugulose sculpture covering all or part of surface; rarely with a median longitudinal carina but never with even a trace of areola. Distal half of margin of vannal lobe of hindwing convex, with or without a fringe of hairs; areolet always open. Larva- Blade of mandible varying greatly; toothless or with a group of large or small terminal teeth or a full row of small wide teeth. Hosts. A wide variety of Macrolepidoptera. Many of the species are gregarious.

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith