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Ionympha Graham, 1959 comparative info return to: prev home
Mandibles very long and narrow, with several tiny dorsal teeth and 2 large apical ones [not unique]. Face shiny and smooth; transverse frontal groove v-shaped; scrobal grooves reaching transverse groove separately, extending below toruli; interscrobal ridge meeting transverse groove; occiput with median channel, as in Asecodes and similar genera. Clypeus not set off by sutures; gena with strong incision that base of mandibles fit into when open. Scape with sensory pores present only at apex in males; flagellum with slightly asymmetrical (type 2) peg sensilla. Males with subbasal pale spot on gaster. Ovipositor very short, its base very far posteriad. Compare with: Asecodes, Chrysocharis (Zaommomyia), Closterocerus, Proacrias.

1a-c: Ionympha face (left), profile (center), and mandible (right)

Biology:

Comments: 2 described species. Identification is subtle and often very difficult if the face is collapsed. The mandibles are not unique in form, and variation of the gena at mandible base is unknown in other genera. This genus appears to be closely related to Asecodes.

Comparative information: Separation from all other genera based on essentially the same criteria: Mandibles not the same, shorter and without numerous tiny denticles. Gena not incised at mandible base. Ovipositor subequal gastral length. The most similar genera are: Asecodes, Chrysocharis (Zaommomyia), and Closterocerus.

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References

Hansson, C. 1988. New World species of Holcopelte and Ionympha (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), with descriptions of two new species. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 91: 59-65.

Hansson, C. 1996. The status of the genera Asecodes Förster, Ionympha Graham and Teleopterus Silvestri (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) with a review of Nearctic species. Entomologica Scandinavica. 27: 159-167.

Image credits: 1a-c: Hansson (1996).