Taxonomy of nocturnal parasitic wasps family Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea) in Doi Phu Kha National Park, Thailand

Abstract

Parasitoid wasps of the family Braconidae are classified in the order Hymenoptera, same as bees, ants and other wasps. The Braconidae is one of the most species-rich families in the Insecta. Doi Phu Kha National Park (DPKNP) has highly diverse organisms, both flora and fauna reflecting the great varieties of habitat types, however, there is very little information on the taxonomy of Braconidae in this national park. Therefore, the aim of this research is to establish the taxonomy of nocturnal parasitic wasps in the family Braconidae within the DPKNP using light trapping technique. A total of 846 specimens, 177 morphospecies within 21 subfamilies of the Braconidae (15 koinobionts and 6 idiobionts) were collected during September 2018 to November 2019. The collected braconid wasps are classified in 21 subfamilies: Agathidinae, Alysiinae, Aphidiinae, Brachistinae, Braconinae, Charmontiinae, Cheloninae, Doryctinae, Euphorinae, Homolobinae, Hormiinae, Ichneutinae, Lysiterminae, Macrocentrinae, Meteorideinae, Microgastrinae, Opiinae, Orgilinae, Pambolinae, Rhysipolinae and Rogadinae. The highest number of specimens and morphospecies collected from this study is in the Rogadinae, representing 31% of all specimens (259 from 846 specimens). Gyroneuron glabrum Long, 2018 (Rogadinae) was the first recorded from Thailand. Trigastrotheca doiphukhaensis Raweearamwong, Quicke & Butcher, 2020 was described and illustrated.