Explanation of Names
Macrocentrinae Förster 1863
Numbers
~48 spp. in 5 genera in our area.
(1) Macrocentrus &
Hymenochaonia are the dominant genera in the New World, the latter being mostly Neotropical
(2); ~236 spp. in 7 genera total
(3)
1. Austrozele (2 described spp.)*
2. Dolichozele (3 described spp.)*
3. Hymenochaonia (6 spp.)**
4. Macrocentrus (46 spp.)**
5. Pseudomacrocentrus (1 sp.)
___________________
*, ** Generic assignments between pairs often problematic.
Identification
Peg-like teeth on trochantellas of legs, including
middle legs and
hind legs.
Fore wing vein r-m present (absent in Charmontinae).
Overview of Genera (Females)
Most genera are separated most readily by a combination of ovipositor length and the
laterope (depression) on the petiole.
(2)(3) Males require additional traits and are often not identifiable from photos.
(4)
Austrazele - ovipositor very short, laterope large and deep
Dolichozele - ovipositor very short, laterope absent or shallow
Hymenochaonia - ovipositor at least as long as the metasoma, laterope absent or shallow
Macrocentrus - ovipositor at least as long as the metasoma, laterope large and deep
Pseudomacrocentrus - distinguished by the "highly unusual foliaceous hind tibiae"
(1)
Range
Worldwide.
Macrocentrus is dominant in temperate North America.
(2)Food
hosts: Lepidoptera larvae
Life Cycle
Solitary or gregarious koinobiont endoparasitoids. Where known, gregarious species are
polyembryonic, as are others. For example, in
M. ancylivorus: although only 1 individual of this species emerges from its host, initial development is polyembryonic
(2) Remarks
Many species are pale, and either crepuscular or nocturnal.
Print References
For biological information, see:
Clausen, C.P. 1940. Entomophagous Insects. McGraw-Hill, New York and London. 688 pp.
Shaw, M.R. and T. Huddleston. 1991. Classification and biology of braconid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects 7(11): 1‒126.
Daniel, D.M. 1932. Macrocentrus ancylivorus Rohwer, a polyembryonic braconid parasite of the Oriental fruit moth. New York State Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Bulletin 187: 1‒101.
Ding, D., P.D. Swedenborg, and R.L. Jones. 1989. Chemical stimuli in host-seeking behavior of Macrocentrus grandii (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Annals of the Entomological Society of America 82: 232‒236.