The Braconinae are a large subfamily of braconid parasitoid wasps with more than 2,000 described species.[2] Many species, including Bracon brevicornis, have been used in biocontrol programs.

Braconinae
Bracon brevicornis, female inserting ovipositor into paralyzed host.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Braconidae
Subfamily: Braconinae
Nees, 1811[1]
Tribes

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Synonyms
  • Aphrastobraconinae Ashmead, 1900
  • Gnathobraconinae Szepligeti, 1904
  • Vipioninae Gahan, 1917
  • Microbraconinae Bridwell, 1920
  • Pseudodicrogeniinae Fahringer, 1936
  • Vaepellinae Quicke, 1987
Atanycolus female

Description and distribution

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Braconines are small to medium sized wasps. Many are dark in color, but they can be red, orange, or pale. They have cyclostome mouthparts and females usually have a long ovipositor.

They are found worldwide, but are most diverse in the Paleotropical region.

Biology

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Braconines are idiobiont ectoparasitoids of concealed larvae. The hosts of most species are Lepidoptera or Coleoptera, with a few attacking Diptera or Symphyta. Usually, they paralyze the host with venom before laying one or more (depending on the species) large eggs on the host's exterior.[2]

Tribes

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References

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  1. ^ Ichneumonoids Adsciti. CGD Nees von Esenbeck Genera et Familias Divisi, Magazin Gesellschaft Naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin 5, 3-37, 1811.
  2. ^ a b Wharton, Robert A.; Marsh, Paul M.; Sharkey, Michael J. (1997). Manual of the New World Genera of the Family Braconidae (Hymenoptera) (PDF). Washington DC: The International Society of Hymenopterists.
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  •   Data related to Braconinae at Wikispecies
  •   Media related to Braconinae at Wikimedia Commons
  • "Braconinae". The Encyclopedia of Life.
  • Photos at BugGuide.net
  • DNA barcodes at BOLD Systems