Chelonus

Chelonus Panzer, 1806

Hymenoptera Braconidae Cheloninae Chelonus

Description

Chelonus is the largest genus of Cheloninae, characterized by the absence of vein RS+M and sutures on the abdominal carapace plus. The eyes are in almost all cases densely pilose. The body color is usually black, though the legs and the base of the abdominal carapace may have lighter areas.

There has historically been two divisions in the genus, Chelonus and Microchelonus, that at times has been considered separate genera. Most Microchelonus-species have 16 or fewer antennal segments (though exceptions exist), a distinctly “flat” abdominal carapace and thicker hind femurs. Main group Chelonus species are usually larger, always have more than 16 antennal segments and differ in at least one other character. Males of Microchelonus are readily recognized by a aperture or opening at the apex of the abdominal carapace.

Chelonus is a very difficult genus to identify to species level. The keys that exist are either difficult, incomplete or outdated, usually a combination.

Ecology

Most hosts are small Lepidoptera, though some species have been known to parasitize larger moths such as Geometrids and Noctuids.

Distribution

Chelonus has a near cosmopolitan distribution.

Identification

Chelonus is a very difficult genus to identify to species level. The keys that exist are either difficult, incomplete or outdated.

References

Finlands Artdatacenter (2024). LAJI.FI: Chelonus. https://laji.fi/sv/taxon/MX.297074 [2024-04-24]

Murphy, N., Banks, J. C., Whitfield, J. B., & Austin, A. D. (2008). Phylogeny of the parasitic microgastroid subfamilies (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) based on sequence data from seven genes, with an improved time estimate of the origin of the lineage. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 47(1), 378–395.

Shaw, M. R., & Huddleston, T. (1991). Classification and biology of braconid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Handbooks of the Identification of British Insects, Vol. 7, part 11. Royal Entomological Society.

SLU Artdatabanken (2024). Artfakta: Chelonus. https://artfakta.se/taxa/1014331 [2024-04-24]

BugWeb

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