Chalcid wasp - Monodontomerus thorpi

Moved

… Jonathan Hoskins, 14 May, 2021 - 3:56pm

Moved

… Bob Zuparko, 21 November, 2019 - 10:18am

This is most likely ...

... is a Pteromalidae or Torymidae. If possible, can you provide an image showing the wing venation? The relative lengths of the marginal vs. postmarginal veins might readily provide the answer (very long MV and very short PMV is indicative of torymids, while MV and PMV that are closer in length to each other suggests pteromalids).

(By the way, an enlarged hind femur is also found in Chalcididae and Leucospidae, but the size of the prepectus and body color argue against either of those families).

… Bob Zuparko, 18 November, 2019 - 10:09am

Wing venation

I hope this picture shows the venation well enough. I can remove and mount one of the wings on a slide if not. Thanks for the info!

… Yaal D, 18 November, 2019 - 8:51pm

Monodontomerus

This was ID'd as Monodontomerus sp. in Hymenopterists Forum on Facebook

… Yaal D, 19 November, 2019 - 1:17pm

Monodontomerus thorpi, likely

My apologies! I should've been more specific when I identified your bug in Facebook.

As Bob mentioned below, Monodontomerus species usually have distinct apical tooth on the metafemur and antennae more elongated than this one here.

But there is a species called Monodontomerus thorpi that Grissel (2007) mentions that has reduced flagellar segments and hind femur with "..only a ventral angle as opposed to other species that have a distinct tooth" So your species is, or at least near, Monodontomerus thorpi.

For the reference, please check Grissel 2007, Torymidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) Associated with Bees (Apoidea), with a List of Chalcidoid Bee Parasitoids.

… Jeong Yoo, 31 March, 2020 - 9:48am

Thanks for the added photo:

it definitely confirms this is a Torymidae. However, I am NOT convinced this is a Monodontomerus. Species from that genus have a distinct subapical "tooth" on the metafemur, and I just cannot see that in you image (if you can see it on the specimen, then I will stand corrected). Also, the Monodontomerus I have seen tend to be less green than this one, and the females have longer ovipositors (although neither of those characters can be taken as absolute for generic ID). Also the antenna don't look quite right.

So MAYBE this is Monodontomerus, but for the time being I will move this to the undetermined Torymidae.

… Bob Zuparko, 21 November, 2019 - 10:17am

Took another look at the spec

Took another look at the specimen and there is no subapical tooth on the metafemur

… Yaal D, 19 December, 2019 - 10:13am

Moved for expert attention

Moved from ID Request.

… Ken Wolgemuth, 17 November, 2019 - 1:43pm

Sighting date is missing

Please click on "edit" and add it to the Date field.

Thanks!

… Ken Wolgemuth, 17 November, 2019 - 12:57pm

Whoops, sorry about that! Tot

Whoops, sorry about that! Totally slipped my mind

… Yaal D, 17 November, 2019 - 1:01pm