Idioporus

Idioporus affinis is a species of chalcid wasp, the only species in the genus Idioporus and the family Idioporidae. Idioporidae, vernacularly known as the idioporid wasps,^[2] was formerly a tribe (Idioporini) of the family Pteromalidae, but was elevated to family status in 2022.^[3]

Idioporus
Idioporus affinis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Suborder:	Apocrita
Infraorder:	Proctotrupomorpha
Superfamily:	Chalcidoidea
Family:	Idioporidae LaSalle, Polaszek, & Noyes, 1997[1]
Genus:	Idioporus LaSalle & Polaszek, 1997
Species:	I. affinis
Binomial name
Idioporus affinis LaSalle & Polaszek, 1997

Description

The full length of the wasp, from its head to the end of its leg, ranges from approximately 1 to 1.5 millimeters. Its main host is the giant whitefly, Aleurodicus dugesii.^[4]

Anatomy

This section uses anatomical terminology.

Its antenna has nine flagellomeres, including four clavomeres, and its mandibles have two teeth. Its basitarsal comb is longitudinal, while its protibial spur is stout and slightly curved. Its clypeus has a transverse subapical groove, and its labrum is hidden behind its clypeus.

Distribution

It is endemic to Central America, specifically Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico. In the 1990s, it was introduced to southern California for biological control of the giant whitefly, a pest on the plant Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.^[4]