Lathraeolis is a genus of minute parasitic wasps belonging to the family Pteromalidae, within the order Hymenoptera. These chalcid wasps are characterized by their parasitoid lifestyle, where their larvae develop on or inside other insects, eventually leading to the host's demise.
Taxonomy
The genus Lathraeolis was formally described by the British entomologist M. W. R. Graham in 1969.- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Superfamily: Chalcidoidea
- Family: Pteromalidae
- Subfamily: Pteromalinae
- Genus: Lathraeolis Graham, 1969
Description
Members of the genus Lathraeolis are typically small (often only a few millimeters in length), compact insects, often exhibiting the metallic coloration common among many chalcid wasps. Like other Pteromalidae, they possess distinctive elbowed antennae, and their wings, though often with reduced venation, are functional. Distinguishing Lathraeolis from other closely related genera within the vast Pteromalidae family usually requires detailed examination of specific morphological features using specialized entomological keys.Ecology and Biology
Lathraeolis species are obligate parasitoids. This means the female wasp lays her eggs on or into a host insect, and the subsequent larval stage feeds on the host, ultimately killing it before pupating. While comprehensive host records for all species within the genus may not be fully established, like many members of the Pteromalidae, they are generally known to parasitize the larval or pupal stages of other insects. These hosts often include other Hymenoptera, Diptera (flies), or Coleoptera (beetles), particularly those that develop in concealed environments such as galls, plant stems, or within wood. Their ecological role is primarily as natural regulators of host insect populations.Species
One of the most notable and recognized species within the genus is:- Lathraeolis collaris Graham, 1969