Cedar Creek
Natural History Area
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Insects of Cedar Creek
Order HYMENOPTERA
Family PTEROMALIDAE
(Pteromalid Wasps)
Perhaps most of the Chalcidoids swept from CCNHA old fields belong to this
large family (395 NA spp). This family now includes the Perilampids (see
below). Nearly 30 species have been collected. Spalangia
spp (resembling Eurytomids) are common in old fields in early summer. The
Vaccinium gall-forming Hemadas nubilipennis has also been
collected. Most other Pteromalids are minute black, bronze or green insects
generally with a constricted neck. Many are larva-pupa parasites on Diptera,
Coleoptera, Lepidoptera larvae, some are egg parasites, some Hyperparasites,
some attack aphids, and others are phytophagus. They have been assigned
only MORPHO names (see Species
Table).
PERILAMPINAE
The Perilampids are stout-bodied with roughly pitted thorax and shiny
triangular abdomen. Most are hyperparasites attacking the Diptera and Hymenoptera
that are parasites of caterpillars. At least three species of
Perilampus
occur in CCHNA old fields. P. hyalinus, a large shiny green
species, is relatively common, less common are a black and a brown one.