Review of Apanteles sensu stricto (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) from Area de Conservación Guanacaste, northwestern Costa Rica, with keys to all described species from Mesoamerica

A groundbreaking study from the Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) in Costa Rica reveals the extraordinary diversity of Apanteles wasps, a critical group of caterpillar parasitoids. Researchers identified 186 new species and redefined the genus Apanteles sensu stricto, providing keys to all 205 described species from Mesoamerica. This work leverages a unique dataset of over half a million Lepidoptera caterpillars reared for their parasitoids, combining traditional taxonomy with molecular techniques like DNA barcoding and interactive software (Lucid 3.5) to distinguish cryptic species. The study also highlights the host preferences of these wasps, with about 90% exhibiting monophagous or oligophagous behavior, attacking primarily Hesperiidae, Elachistidae, and Crambidae caterpillars. This comprehensive review accelerates the understanding of hyperdiverse parasitoid groups and their ecological roles.

Fernandez-Triana, J., Whitfield, J., Rodriguez, J., Smith, M. A., Janzen, D., Hallwachs, W., Hajibabaei, M., Burns, J., Solis, A., Brown, J., Cardinal, S., Goulet, H., & Hebert, P. (2014). Review of Apanteles sensu stricto (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) from Area de Conservación Guanacaste, northwestern Costa Rica, with keys to all described species from Mesoamerica. ZooKeys, 383, 1–565. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.383.6418