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Photo#17772
Eulophid wasp

Eulophid wasp
Springfield, Fairfax County, Virginia, USA
May 17, 2005
Size: <2mm
A eulophid wasp, collected from a ginger plant and brought indoors to photograph. Thanks to Richard Vernier for the identification and detailed explanation!

Moved
Moved from Eulophidae.

Eulophid wasp (family Eulophidae)
The clearness of this picture (despite the huge level of magnification) allows an easy identification to the family Eulophidae.
Indeed, most Eulophids are very similar to small Pteromalids, but differ from them as follows:
- tarsi 4-segmented (instead of 5-segmented)
- subcostal vein of the forewing nearly straight after an apparent "elbow", which is clearly visible here just in front of the right hind femur (the same vein makes an arched curve at the same place in Pteromalids).
- a short, nearly straight, tibial apical spur on the forelegs, instead of curved (not visible on this picture).
Eulophids are almost as numerous as Pteromalids, and an identification even at subfamily level is not easy. However, I would "lean" for a female of the subfamily Eulophinae.

 
Furthermore...
... the two parallel sutures on the scutellum, coupled with the long marginal vein and virtual absence of a postmarginal vein marks this as a member of the subfamily Tetrastichinae.

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