Melittobia

Zhu, Chao-Dong, 2017, Notes on Kocourekia Bouček (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) with description of a new species from China, Zootaxa 4317 (2), pp. 391-400 : 392

The Melittobia complex

Relationships between Melittobia and several genera of Tetrastichinae were discussed by Bouček (1966, 1977), Graham (1987, 1991), Dahms (1984), and LaSalle (1994). LaSalle (1994) discussed a close relationship between Melittobia , Tachinobia and Kocourekia , which he characterized them as lacking a malar sulcus, having a somewhat flattened body with an elongate pronotum, female hypopygium extended beyond middle of gaster, midlobe of mesoscutum without a median line, and funicular segments generally wider than long to quadrate. Many species in this group have numerous scattered setae on the mesoscutum and/or scutellum. These genera also share a similar biology, as gregarious parasitoids or hyperparasitoids of aculeate Hymenoptera or Tachinidae (Diptera) . Males are unknown for Kocourekia , but those of Melittobia and Tachinobia are highly modified, with reduced wings and eyes.