Trichomma fulvidens
Description
Anomaloninae contains slender and often strikingly coloured wasps. The metasoma is laterally compressed and elongate, the first sternite ending close to the end of the first segment. The legs, especially the hind-legs, are similarly elongated. Members of the largest of the two tribes, Gravenhorstiini, are recognised by the unique structure of their propodeum. It lacks defined carinae and is instead dominated by coarse rugose sculpture, a character not seen in any other subfamily. The smaller tribe Anomalonini (containing only one northern European species,
Anomalon cruentatum) generally have some weak carinae on the propodeum, instead being recognised by the single spur on the middle tibiae in combination with its unmistakable habitus (short wings and Anomaloninae-like shape). All Anomalonines have fore wings without closed areolets.
Biology
Anomalonines are solitary koinobiont endoparasitoids of Lepidoptera (Gravenhorstiini) or Tenebrionidae (Anomalonini). Females of Gravenhorstiini fly with a characteristic flight pattern when searching for their hosts, hovering above low vegetation while making gentle up-and-down movements. The elongate and often brightly coloured hind legs make these females very conspicuous.
Distribution
Anomaloninae is a cosmopolitan subfamily with about 750 described species. Around 50 species are known to occur in northern Europe, many of which are rather common.
Records from GBIF and the Bugweb collection are shown on the map.
Identification
A key to all northern European genera and some species is provided here. For a traditional key, see Pénigot (2021).
