Review of the Neotropical genus Prasmodon (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae), with emphasis on species from Area de Conservación Guanacaste, northwestern Costa Rica

A comprehensive review of the Neotropical genus Prasmodon (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) reveals 16 newly described species, significantly advancing the taxonomy of this group. The study, focusing on specimens from Area de Conservación Guanacaste in northwestern Costa Rica but encompassing broader Neotropical distributions, identifies leaf-rolling and webbing caterpillars of Crambidae and Elachistidae as their sole known hosts. The research integrates morphological analysis with a broad geographic scope, highlighting the genus's highest diversity in the Amazon basin while extending its range across Central and South American rainforests. This work provides critical insights into the biodiversity and ecological roles of Prasmodon parasitoids, contributing to our understanding of Neotropical insect communities.

Fernandez-Triana, J., Whitfield, J., Smith, M. A., Braet, Y., Hallwachs, W., & Janzen, D. (2014). Review of the Neotropical genus Prasmodon (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae), with emphasis on species from Area de Conservación Guanacaste, northwestern Costa Rica. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 37, 1–52. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.37.6748