Zosteragathis Sharkey, 2017

Sharkey, Michael J. & Chapman, Eric G., 2018, Revision of Zosteragathis Sharkey of Thailand (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Agathidinae, Agathidini), Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 65 (2), pp. 225-253 : 225

Zosteragathis Sharkey, 2017

Type species.

Zosteragathis samensis Sharkey, 2017

Diagnosis.

Most species can be recognized as members of this genus by the combination of finely microsculptured striae on T2 that end abruptly just anterior to the posterior margin of the tergite; this in combination with a pale colored band in the anterior half of T2, or T2 entirely black. Some species have reduced striae on T2 and are recognized by the lack of apomorphic structures that distinguish other closely related genera, e.g., claws not simple; interantennal space without a sharply declivous keel; T1 without prominent lateral carinae or medial carina; fore tarsus without spines or pegs.

Description.

See Sharkey and Chapman 2017a.

Biology.

Hosts are unknown for all Thai species however there are records for three extra- Thailand species. These appear to suggest that the host range is wide. The records are: Zosteragathis coryphe was reared from Phycodes radiata ( Sesioidea: Brachodidae ) ( Nixon 1950). Zosteragathis festiva (Muesebeck) was reared from Grapholitha molesta , oriental fruit moth, ( Tortricoidea: Tortricidae ) and many other Lepidoptera from a wide range of families, i.e., Blastobasidae , Gelechiidae , Cossidae , Carposinidae , Noctuidae , and Pyralidae . See Yu (2012) for a complete list. Zosteragathis robusta (Achterberg and Long) from Vietnam was reared from " Omiodes indicata ( Lepidoptera: Pyralidae : Pyraustinae ) on soybean ( Glycine max (Linnaeus)), according to the label data", (van Achterberg and Long 2010).

Distribution.

Australian, Ethiopian, Oceania, Oriental, and eastern Palearctic regions.

Etymology.

From the Greek zoster, meaning "belt or girdle" and agathis the type genus of the subfamily. Zoster is a reference to the diagnostic pale colored transverse band that is usually present on T2. The gender is feminine.