Subfamily Agathidinae

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Introduction

This subfamily comprises medium to large braconids, many of which have patterned wings. They are worldwide in distribution and are readily identified by their colour and narrow marginal cell in the fore wing. Only a small proportion of the Australian species are described (36 spp.), and virtually none since 1918. The placement of many of these species is uncertain as their holotypes have not been examined subsequent to a number of important generic level changes in recent years.

In Australia most species appear to have a tropical or subtropical distribution, with a few extending into subtropical dry areas. Members of the Agathidinae are all endoparasitoids of lepidopteran larvae, but there are few host records for Australia.

General References

Sharkey, M.J. 1997. Subfamily Agathidinae. pp. 69-83 in Wharton, R.A., Marsh, P.M. & Sharkey, M.J. (eds). Manual of the New World Genera of the Family Braconidae (Hymenoptera). Washington, D. C. : The International Society of Hymenopterists 439 pp.

History of changes