Metopiinae

The Metopiinae are a worldwide subfamily of the parasitic wasp family Ichneumonidae.[1] Metopiinae are koinobiont endoparasitoids of Lepidoptera. There are 26 extant genera. A bulging shield-like face is diagnostic for members of this subfamily, but many members lack this character.

Metopiinae
Exochus prosopius
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Ichneumonidae
Subfamily: Metopiinae
Förster , 1869

Description

Most Metopiines are medium to large ichneumonids. They have a bulging face and with no groove between the face and clypeus. In most genera the upper portion of the face forms a triangular process that extends between the antennae.[2] Many have stout, robust legs and generally have short ovipositors. Larger species may mimic aculeate wasps in coloration and by producing buzzing noises when captured.[3]

Biology

Metopiines oviposit into the larval stage of their host and emerge fully developed from the host pupae. Many metopiines attack leaf rolling caterpillars. The wasp's stout legs and smooth face may be used to help females push their way into the leaf roll so they may reach the host with their short ovipositor. Adult females may bite hosts in order to feed on their hemolymph.[3]

List of genera
  • Acerataspis
  • Bothromus
  • Carria
  • Chorinaeus
  • Colpotrochia
  • Cubus
  • Drepanoctonus
  • Exochus
  • Forrestopius
  • Hemimetopius
  • Hypsicera
  • Ischryocnemis
  • Lapton
  • Leurus
  • Macromalon
  • Metopius
  • Periope
  • Pseudometopius
  • Sciron
  • Scolomus (=Apolophus)
  • Seticornuta
  • Spudeaus
  • Stethoncus
  • Synosis
  • Trieces
  • Triclistus

References
  1. Townes, H.K. (1971) Genera of Ichneumonidae, Part 4 (Cremastinae, Phrudinae, Tersilochinae, Ophioninae, Mesochorinae, Metopiinae, Anomalinae, Acaenitinae, Microleptinae, Orthopelmatinae, Collyriinae, Orthocentrinae, Diplazontinae). Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 17: 1-372.
  2. Townes, Henry (1971). The Genera of Ichneumonidae Part 4. The American Entomological Institute. p. 89. ISBN 1-887988-00-9.
  3. J., Quicke, Donald L. (2014). The Braconid and Ichneumonid parasitoid wasps : biology, systematics, evolution and ecology. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 9781118907054. OCLC 903906295.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)


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