Opius (Merotrachys) penetrator Fischer, 1966

Ameri, Ali, Talebi, Ali Asghar, Rakhshani, Ehsan, Beyarslan, Ahmet & Kamali, Karim, 2014, Study of the genus Opius Wesmael (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Opiinae) in Southern Iran, with eleven new records, Zootaxa 3884 (1), pp. 1-26 : 6-7

Opius (Merotrachys) penetrator Fischer, 1966

( Figs 13 A–I)

Material examined. Iran, Hormozgan province: southern Zakin (27°28′53.23″ N, 56°18′27.03″ E, 680 m a.s.l.), 15-05-2011, 1 ♀; leg. A. Ameri.

Distribution in Iran. Hormozgan province (current study).

General distribution. Australia-Queensland ( Yu et al. 2012), Iran (New record).

Remarks. Prior to this study, this species has only been recorded from Australia and its presence in Iran may indicate an accidental invasion. Since Fischer (1966, 1987) reported this species from Australia, other records of this species have not been documented. However this parasitoid may have either extensive geographical distribution or may be in association with common pest on crops which is commercially exchanged between the countries. It can be expected that this species may have been introduced to Iran along with agricultural food products, because Hormozagan province (especially Bandar Abbas) is one of the most important entrance points of agricultural food products from different countries. However, these hypotheses require further consideration.

Figures

FIGURE 13. Opius penetrator; A. Lateral aspect of head and compound eye, B. Frontal aspect of head, C. Dorsal aspect of head, D. Lateral aspect of mesosoma, E. Dorsal aspect of mesosoma, F. Propodeum, G. Hind leg, H. Fore wing, I. Dorsal aspect of metasoma.