Idioporus

Idioporus
Idioporus affinis
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Suborder: Apocrita
Infraorder: Proctotrupomorpha
Superfamily: Chalcidoidea
Family:
LaSalle, Polaszek, & Noyes, 1997[1]
Genus:
LaSalle & Polaszek, 1997
Species:
I. affinis
Binomial name
Idioporus affinis
LaSalle & Polaszek, 1997

Idioporus affinis is a species of chalcid wasp, the only species in the genus Idioporus and the family Idioporidae. Idioporidae, vernacularly known as the idioporid wasps,[2] was formerly a tribe (Idioporini) of the family Pteromalidae, but was elevated to family status in 2022.[3]

Description

The full length of the wasp, from its head to the end of its leg, ranges from approximately 1 to 1.5 millimeters. Its main host is the giant whitefly, Aleurodicus dugesii.[4]

Anatomy

Its antenna has nine flagellomeres, including four clavomeres, and its mandibles have two teeth. Its basitarsal comb is longitudinal, while its protibial spur is stout and slightly curved. Its clypeus has a transverse subapical groove, and its labrum is hidden behind its clypeus.

Distribution

It is endemic to Central America, specifically Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico. In the 1990s, it was introduced to southern California for biological control of the giant whitefly, a pest on the plant Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Subfamily Idioporidae LaSalle et al. 1997 (chalcid wasp)". Paleobiology Database. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  2. ^ van Noort, Simon. "Idioporidae". WaspWeb. Iziko Museums of South Africa. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  3. ^ Burks, Roger; Mitroiu, Mircea-Dan; Fusu, Lucian; Heraty, John M.; Janšta, Petr; Heydon, Steve; Papilloud, Natalie Dale-Skey; Peters, Ralph S.; Tselikh, Ekaterina V.; Woolley, James B.; van Noort, Simon; Baur, Hannes; Cruaud, Astrid; Darling, Christopher; Haas, Michael; Hanson, Paul; Krogmann, Lars; Rasplus, Jean-Yves (20 December 2022). "From hell's heart I stab at thee! A determined approach towards a monophyletic Pteromalidae and reclassification of Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera)". Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 94: 13–88. doi:10.3897/jhr.94.94263. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  4. ^ a b van Noort, Simon. "Idioporus affinis LaSalle & Polaszek". WaspWeb. Iziko Museums of South Africa. Retrieved 12 June 2025.