Numbers
about 33 genera in the New World; about 31 of these in North America.
(2)Identification
Alysiini can be separated from its sister tribe by the
presence of an r-m vein, sometimes faint, and veins RS and M not widely separated in basal part of wing. In contrast, Dacnusini
have no r-m vein.
Habitat
Often in moist habitats and decaying substrates, where host larvae are likely to be found.
Food
Larvae are parasitoids that feed on larvae of cyclorrhaphous Diptera (advanced flies with short antennae).
Life Cycle
Adult females lay their eggs in the eggs or larvae of the host. The emerging wasp larva feeds on the host and eventually kills it after the host pupates. The wasp pupates inside the puparium of the host. When it emerges as an adult, the wasp cuts an emergence hole in the dead host's puparium with its exodont mandibles adapted specifically for this task.
Print References
Achterberg, C. van. 1988. The genera of the Aspilota-group and some descriptions of fungcolous Aloysiini from the Netherlands (Hymehoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae). Zoologische Verhandlelingen Leiden 247:1-88.
Vet, L.E.M. and J.J.M. van Alphen. 1985. A comparative functional approach to the host detection behaviour of parasitic wasps. I. A qualitative study on Eucoilidae and Alysiinae. Oikos 44:478-486.
Wharton, R.A. 1984. Biology of the Alysiini (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), parasitoids of cyclorrhaphous Diptera. Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Monograph 11: 1-39.
Wharton, R.A. 1994. New genera, species, and records of New World Alysiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 96: 630-664.
Wharton, R.A. Subfamily Alysiinae. In: Wharton, R.A., P.M. Marsh, M.J. Sharkey. 1997. Manual of the New World Genera of the Family Braconidae (Hymenoptera). International Society of Hymenopterists.
