A revision of Dolichogenidea (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) with the second mediotergite broadly rectangular from Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Researchers have identified eight new species of the wasp genus Dolichogenidea, characterized by their uniquely shaped second mediotergite and long ovipositors, within the Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) in Costa Rica. These discoveries belong to a newly proposed species group, the carlosmanuelrodriguezi group, which also includes undescribed species from the Neotropical region. All new species are parasitoids found in rainforests at elevations of 120–900 meters, with most targeting Depressariidae hosts, except one that parasitizes Choreutidae. The study highlights a notable example of convergent evolution, as these wasps share traits and host preferences with the alejandromorais species group in the genus Apanteles.

Fernandez-Triana, J., Boudreault, C., Dapkey, T., Smith, M. A., Hallwachs, W., & Janzen, D. (2019). A revision of Dolichogenidea (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) with the second mediotergite broadly rectangular from Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica. ZooKeys, 835, 87–123. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.835.33440