Scientific name

Brachymeria nephantidis Gahan

Taxonomic position

Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Chalcididae

Diagnosis

Body robust and stout, dorsal side more or less completely black. Apex of scutellum rounded or entire. Hind tibia dark reddish brown to black, with distinct subbasal and apical yellow patches.

 Thorax

Images

   Adult, dorsal view
   Adult, lateral view

Distribution

India: Karnataka; Kerala; Tamil Nadu.

Hosts / Associated habitat

Primary hosts include Opisina arenosella Walker, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton), Syllepte derogata, Pyrausta machaeralis, Deudorix isocrates and Phytometra peponis. Hyperparasitoid of Stomatomyia bezziana and Eriborus trochanteratus. Found in association with coconut and toddy palm.

References

  • Joy, P.J. & Joseph, K.J. 1977. The advantages and disadvantages and the possibilities of the utilization of Brachymeria parasites for the biological control of Nephantis serinopa, the black-headed caterpillar pest of coconut. Agriculture Research Journal of Kerala, 15(1): 66-68.
  • Joy, P.J., Narendran, T.C., and Joseph, K.J. 1978. Biology of Brachymeria nephantidis Gahan and Brachymeria lasus (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae). Agriculture Research Journal of Kerala, 16(1): 39-42.
  • Kapadia, M.N. 1999. The rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica Staint. as a potential laboratory host for rearing of Brachymeria nephantidis Gahan and Brachymeria lasus Walk. Journal of Applied Zoological Researches 10(1): 56-57.
  • Satpathy, J.M., & Rao, S.M. 1972. Biology and bionomics of Brachymeria nephantidis Gahan (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae), a pupal parasite of coconut caterpillar (Nephantis serinopa Meyrick). Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 42(6): 524-528.