Ateleutinae

Description

Ateleutinae was long considered part of Cryptinae, though it was recently granted subfamily status due to its distinctive morphology and phylogenetic evidence. There are two included genera, with only one species of Ateleute (A. linearis) occurring in Europe. The European species can readily be identified by the shape of the areolet of the fore wing: it is long and elongated, pentagonal in shape, with 2m-cu intercepting it proximally, and 3rs-m being weak and unpigmented. Additionally, the hind tibia are conspicuously spiny, and the posterior transverse carina of the propodeum is complete. Much like their sister group, ateleutines generally have a sternalus, though it is often weak or only indicated anteriorly. Female A. linearis have a black and orange body, antennae broadened medially and with a white spot or band. Males have a much less conspicuous uniformly brown coloration, frequently causing them to be confused with orthocentrines (though the spiny hind tibia and complete posterior transverse carina separate them even when the unique characteristics of the areolet are indistinct).

Ecology

Little is known about the biology of Ateleutines, though one Japanese species (A. minusculae) has been shown to be a solitary idiobiont ectoparasitoid of bagworms (Psychidae). Only one other host record exists, an American species also reared from a psychid moth.

Distribution

Ateleutinae is a cosmopolitan subfamily.

References

Broad, G. R., Shaw, M. R., & Fitton, M. G. (2018). Handbooks for the identification of British insects Vol. 7, part 12 Ichneumonid wasps : (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae): their classification and biology. Royal Entomological Society of London

SLU Artdatabanken (2024). Artfakta: Ateleutinae. https://artfakta.se/taxa/6040028 [2024-08-22]

Finlands Artdatacenter (2024). LAJI.FI: Ateleutinae. https://laji.fi/sv/taxon/MX.4979835 [2024-08-22]

BugWeb

Ateleutinae

Keys

Northern European species

Gallery

References