Leptofoenus

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Leptofoenus
Leptofoenus rufus (female)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Pelecinellidae
Genus: Leptofoenus
Smith, 1862
Species

Leptofoenus is a genus of wasp in the family Pelecinellidae found in South America, Central America, and southern North America.[1][2] The genus contains five living species and one extinct species known from early Miocene Burdigalian stage Dominican amber deposits on the island of Hispaniola.[1] With body sizes ranging from 11–27 millimetres (0.43–1.06 in) Leptofoenus species are larger than nearly all other species in Chalcidoidea.[1] The genus bears a notable resemblance to the wasp families Pelecinidae, Gasteruptiidae, and Stephanidae.[1]

Species[edit]

All six known species are restricted to the western Hemisphere, most being found in South America and only one reaching North America.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Engel, M.S. (2005). "The first fossil leptofoenine wasp (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae): A new species of Leptofoenus in Miocene amber from the Dominican Republic". ZooKeys (13): 57–66. doi:10.3897/zookeys.13.159. hdl:1808/5595.
  2. ^ Iturralde-Vinent, M.A.; MacPhee, R.D.E. (1996). "Age and Paleogeographical Origin of Dominican Amber". Science. 273 (5283): 1850–1852. Bibcode:1996Sci...273.1850I. doi:10.1126/science.273.5283.1850. S2CID 129754021.