Dichrogaster

Taxonomy

The genus Dichrogaster belongs to the family Ichneumonidae within the subfamily Phygadeuontinae. The name “Dichrogaster” means “two-colored abdomen.” These parasitic wasps are characterized by their slender bodies and elongated antennae. Dichrogaster species exhibit variations in coloration and markings across different regions. These wasps are found in many places around the world including Africa, Australia, parts of Asia and Europe, North and South America, and some Pacific islands. However, there are only two species of Dichrogaster found in North America. 

Description

Dichrogaster species vary greatly in length, ranging from 5 to 20mm. Their markings and wing venation also fluctuate significantly depending on the species and the location which they inhabit. However, they are always easily recognized by a short, deep propodeum and broad head. As its name suggests, the gaster of these species are usually two-toned in coloration. 

Nest Structure

Most Ichneumonids are parasitoids whose larvae feed and develop on a single host, although some species' larvae are mobile and will feed on more than one host. Hosts include a wide range of insects in the orders Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Neuroptera, and Mecoptera, and spiders and spider egg sacs. Most Ichneumonids are solitary. No insect host emerged from the Bee Atlas nest that produced the Dichrogaster sp.

Hole Sizes

No information at this time.

Voltinism

No information at this time.

Activity Period

No information at this time.

References

Triplehorn, C.A and N.F. Johnson. 2005. Borror and DeLong's introduction to the study of insects, 7th ed. Thomson, Brooks/Cole, Australia. 

BugGuide. 2024. "Species Dichrogaster lacordairei - BugGuide.Net." Accessed May 17, 2024. https://bugguide.net/node/view/773138

Discover Life. 2024. "Ichneumonidae." In Proceedings of the Ecological Society of America, vol. 6. Accessed May 17, 2024. https://www.discoverlife.org/proceedings/0000/6/html/Ichneumonidae.html

Yoshida, T., and K. Konishi. 2008. Taxonomic study of the genus Dichrogaster Doumerc (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Cryptinae) in Japan. Entomological Science 11(2): 247-258.

Thank you to John Luhman for identifying all of our Ichneumonid specimens.