ICHNEUMONIDAE: : Lusius Tosquinet 1903
Diagnosis:
Characteristics of Lusius include: 1. Body size <10mm; 2. Position of spiracle on T1 clearly behind the centre; 3. Shape of aerolet in forewing pentagonal but open; 4. Colour of face not all black; 5. Metasoma compressed dorsal-ventrally; 6. Size of ocelli small; 7. Length of antennae shorter than body; 8. Length of ovipositor barely visible; 9. Wings pesent; 10. Colour of wings hyaline (clear); 11. Sternaulus absent; 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 is 1 (sickle-shaped). 16. Metasoma same colour throughout; 17. Length of T1 vs T2 subequal in length; 18. Sculpture on mesoscutum smooth, very polished; 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 semi-glossy or satin appearance at least on T2; 22. Propodeum reaching past coxal insertion, but not reaching halfway along metacoxae.Distribution in NZ
North Island: AK, BP, HB. South Island: NN, MB, CO, OL, WD.
Species in NZ
One undescribed species.Biology & hosts
This genus is known from Oriental, Neotropical and Ethiopian regions. One species has been found in the NZAC, and although it appears widespread, it is uncommon. No hosts are known.Sources of information
Gauld ID. 1984. An Introduction to the Ichneumonidae of Australia. London, British Museum (Natural History). 413 p.Citation
Ward DF & Schnitzler FR. 2013. Ichneumonidae of New Zealand. Genus Lusius http://ichneumonidae.landcareresearch.co.nzAccessed: 2 May 2024