The Braconinae are a large subfamily of braconid parasitoid wasps with more than 2,000 described species.Wharton, Robert A.; Marsh, Paul M.; Sharkey, Michael J. (1997). Manual of the New World Genera of the Family Braconidae (Hymenoptera) (PDF). Washington DC: The International Society of Hymenopterists. Many species, including Bracon brevicornis, have been used in biocontrol programs.
Description and distribution Braconines are small to medium sized wasps. Many are dark in color, but they can be red, orange, or pale. They have cyclostome mouthparts and females usually have a long ovipositor.
They are found worldwide, but are most diverse in the Paleotropical region.
Biology Braconines are idiobiont ectoparasitoids of concealed larvae. The hosts of most species are Lepidoptera or Coleoptera, with a few attacking Diptera or Symphyta. Usually, they paralyze the host with venom before laying one or more (depending on the species) large eggs on the host's exterior.
Tribes Adeshini Aphrastobraconini Argamaniini Bathyaulacini Braconini Coeloidini Euurobraconini Glyptomorphini Gnathobraconini Physaraiini Rhammurini Vaepellini
References
External links
Photos at BugGuide.net DNA barcodes at BOLD Systems