Diversidade dos Orthocentrinae (Hymenoptera/ Ichneumonidae) na floresta Valdiviana do Chile

Abstract

Ichneumonidae is one of, if not the largest, family of insects, with more than 25,000 valid species. The Orthocentrinae subfamily, as defined by Förster 1869, is one of the least studied in the family. These small insects have a cosmopolitan distribution and are extremely numerous, comprising approximately 30% of the Ichneumonidae collected in Malaise traps. Currently, the Orthocentrinae have more than 500 species described in 29 genera. For the Neotropical region, studies are even scarcer, with only 18 genera recorded. The biology of these animals is little known, but consolidated research mentions their parasitoidism on Fungus Gnats (Diptera), a group responsible for causing serious damage to shitake mushroom, orchid and strawberry crops. Chile has a fauna of Ichneumonidae that is highly distinct from those found in the Neotropics, due to the region's historical isolation, as the rapid rise of the Andes since the end of the Miocene has led individuals from that location to show remarkable levels of endemism. This study analyzed the Orthocentrinae fauna in the Valdivan temperate rainforest (Chile), one of the best-defined centers of endemism in South America. The collection areas varied in altitude from 440m to 987m, using Malaise, Moericke and Shannon traps and vegetation sweeps. The work resulted in the description of a new genus with two new species.