ICHNEUMONIDAE: : Genus H

Diagnosis:

In the forewing the areolet is 'condensed', and the veins join up in one place.

Characteristics of Genus B include: 1. Body size <10mm; 2. Position of spiracle on T1 clearly behind the centre; 3. Aerolet in forewing 'condensed'; 4. Colour of face variable; 5. Metasoma not disticntly compressed; 6. Size of ocelli small; 7. Length of antennae shorter than body; 8. Length of ovipositor long, thin, but not longer than body; 9. Wings present; 10. Colour of wings hyaline (clear); 11. Sternaulus short (less than 0.5x length mesopleuron) to long (more than 0.5x length mesopleuron); 12. Shape of face in lateral view flat or only weakly bulging; 13. Sternite on T1 (viewed laterally) not extending past spiracle; 14. Shape of T1(viewed laterally) evenly curved; 15. Number of teeth in mandibles 2; 16. Metasoma same colour throughout; 17. Length of T1 vs T2 subequal in length or T1 longer than T2; 18. Sculpture on mesoscutum finely pitted, many hairs; 19. Width of T1 (viewed dorsally) anterior part slender often parallel, strongly widening behind spiracle; 20. Glymma on T1 absent; 21. Sculpture on metasoma smooth with a glossy appearance (highly polished, no punctures); 22. Propodeum reaching past coxal insertion, but not reaching halfway along metacoxae.

Distribution in NZ

North Island: ND, AK, BP, CL, HB, TO, WO. South Island: NN, BR, MC, OL.

Species in NZ

Five undescribed species of this unnamed genus discovered by ID Gauld in 1999.

Biology & hosts

Little is known about the biology of this genus. It appears relatively common, especially in forested areas. There is one host record from an Elaterid larvae (Coleoptera: Elateridae), where over 70 individuals emerged from the one larva.

Sources of information

NZAC records.
Ward DF, Early JW, Schnitzler FR, Hitchmough RA, Stringer IAN. 2012. Conservation status of New Zealand Hymenoptera. New Zealand Entomologist 35 (2):116-119.

Citation

Ward DF & Schnitzler FR. 2013. Ichneumonidae of New Zealand. Genus H http://ichneumonidae.landcareresearch.co.nz
Accessed: 2 May 2024

Revised

v1.0. Ward DF & Schnitzler FR. 2013