Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff) (=Tetrastichus ayyari Rohwer, Tetrastichus israeli (Mani & Kurian), T. israelensis (Mani & Kurian))

Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae

Body uniform black with strong metallic coppery reflections, compound eyes reddish; antenna with scape and pedicel lighter, yellowish brown, remaining segments dark brown to black in female, all segments except terminal segments of club light yellowish brown; legs yellowish white, except anterior coxae and femora darker, brownish; wings hyaline with yellowish brown venation. Mesoscutum with a prominent median line, scutellum with a pair of conspicuous submedian lines. Propodeum dull, finely coriaceous; with an inverted Y-shaped lateral carina. Metasoma (abdomen / gaster) smooth and shiny.

         Adult, dorsal view
 
Female in profile       Male in profile

Oriental, Australasian and African regions. New World. Widely distributed in India (Andhra Pradesh; Bihar; Haryana; Karnataka; Kerala; Orissa; Punjab; Tamil Nadu; Uttar Pradesh).

Primary or hyperparasitoid of the pupae of several lepidopterous and dipterous hosts. For complete list of insect / plant associates, see Universal Chalcidoidea Database.