Corresponding author: Jose Fernandez-Triana (
Academic editor: C. van Achterberg
Fernandez-Triana J, Boudreault C, Buffam J, Mclean R (2016) A biodiversity hotspot for Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) in North America: annotated species checklist for Ottawa, Canada. ZooKeys 633: 1–93. doi:
At the regional or local level our knowledge about
Besides its extraordinary diversity, microgastrine wasps are very important in biocontrol efforts against
This paper analyzes the diversity of
Since 1895, the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club (
Localities within the city of Ottawa and surroundings where specimens of
This paper is based on the study of 1,928 specimens, housed in the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Ottawa Barcodes Index Numbers
Pictures of 36 species are provided to illustrate the diversity of microgastrine wasps in Ottawa. Photos were taken either with a Leica M165 C or a Keyence VHX-1000 Digital Microscope, using a lens with a range of 10–130 ×. Multiple images were taken of a structure through the focal plane and then combined to produce a single in-focus image. For the images taken with the Leica camera, the Zerene Stacker program (
A species checklist was generated using the -Nearctic -Neotropics -Oriental -Palearctic
Using the Scratchpad platform and infrastructure (
A total of 158 species from 21 genera of
The most diverse genera were
At species level, the most common were
There were 50 species (31.4%) represented by only one specimen, and 23 (14.4%) represented by two specimens. The high proportion (45.9%) of singletons and doubletons shows how incomplete the Ottawa species inventory still is. The Chao-1 non-parametric estimator of species richness (Rarefaction Calculator at
Among all listed species, 73 were only identified to genus and have been assigned interim alphanumeric identifiers. Some of them certainly represent new taxa to be described in future papers. Others may represent species already described in Europe and for the present are given interim identifiers until they are compared with Palearctic material.
Regarding zoogeographical affinities, 132 species (83%) found in Ottawa are strictly Nearctic, 16 species (10%) are distributed within the Holarctic, 5 (3%) are recorded from the New World (Nearctic and Neotropics), and 10 (6%) are either truly cosmopolitan or present in at least three different regions (Nearctic/Neotropics/Palearctic or Nearctic/Oriental/Palearctic).
Some of the localities sampled contain special, sometimes unique habitats/ecosystems. Gatineau Park, with a rich biodiversity and a wide range of protected habitats and ecosystems within its 36,000 ha (
Mer Bleue, a 3,500 ha conservation area with a northern, boreal-like ecosystem more typical of the Subarctic than the Ottawa Valley (
The diversity of
Costa Rica | 400+ | Finland | 163 |
Hungary | 328 |
|
|
China | 316 | Mongolia | 157 |
Russia | 293 | Italy | 150 |
U.S.A. | 284 | Ukraine | 149 |
Germany | 249 | Yugoslavia | 139 |
United Kingdom | 234 | Democratic Republic of Congo | 134 |
India | 210 | Bulgaria | 124 |
Canada | 196 | Korea | 124 |
Czech Republic | 190 | France | 123 |
Romania | 173 | Sweden | 117 |
Poland | 170 | Moldova | 113 |
Switzerland | 168 | Slovakia | 113 |
Turkey | 167 | Australia | 112 |
Netherlands | 176 | Kazakhstan | 112 |
Locality/ecosystem | Latitude | Species recorded |
---|---|---|
Yellowstone National Park, Montana/forests | 44°N | 35 |
Quebec/apple orchards | 45°N | 36 |
Midwestern USA/tall grass prairies | 39°N | 55 |
Arkansas/forests | 34°N | 65 |
Churchill, Manitoba/boreal forest/tundra | 59°N | 79 |
Ottawa, Ontario/diverse habitats | 45°N | 158 |
We are not aware of published information for more southern localities, although based on specimens seen in collections (Fernandez-Triana, unpublished), it is clear that southern localities in the United States, when thoroughly sampled and studied, should have higher species totals. But Ottawa presently is the biodiversity hotspot for
The Ottawa microgastrines we studied were collected from 1894–2010 (Figure
Specimens of
Seasonal distribution of the specimens in general (Figure
Specimens of
The general pattern varies depending on the species. Among the eight most common species, five show only a single peak of abundance, three in summer (
Bi-weekly (March-November) abundance of the eight most common species of
Species of
However, it must be pointed that some of those lepidopterans do not actually occur in Ottawa, and some of the reported host/parasitoid associations are likely to be incorrect (see
Evidence from recent studies in Area de Conservacion Guanacaste
The status of this species as a potential member of the Species Candidate Lists of The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (
Quebec, Old Chelsea,
Ontario, Blackburn,
Quebec, Wrightville,
Cosmopolitan.
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
Ontario, Aylmer West,
Ontario, Merivale,
Ontario, Ottawa, Hogs Back,
Ontario, Ottawa,
Ontario, Blackburn,
Ontario, Ottawa,
Ontario, Galetta,
Ontario, Kemptville Rideau,
Ontario, North Gower to Smith Falls, 1 km N of Rd 6 & Montague Bdy Rd,
Ontario, Ottawa,
Ontario, Constance Bay,
Quebec, Aylmer,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, 5 km NW of Almonte, Hwy 49, Burnt Land, Alvar Prov. Park, Almonte,
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, 5 km NW of Almonte, Hwy 49, Burnt Land, Alvar Prov. Park, Almonte,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Island Park, Ottawa,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, 5 km NW of Almonte, Hwy 49, Burnt Land, Alvar Prov. Park, Almonte,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, mixed forest,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species is morphologically close to
Ontario, Ottawa city, Slack road,
The specimens of ‘
Ontario, 2 km SW of Innisville,
The specimens of ‘
Ontario, 5 km NW of Almonte, Hwy 49, Burnt Land, Alvar Prov. Park, Almonte,
Ontario, Ottawa,
This is the first record of this species for the Nearctic region.
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, mixed forest,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, mixed forest,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, mixed forest,
This species is only known from the type locality (Ottawa), where it has been rarely collected. The status of this species as a potential member of the Species Candidate Lists of
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
Ontario, Ottawa,
Ontario, 6mi. W Richmond,
Ontario, Stittsville,
Ontario, Merivale,
Ontario, Mer Bleue, Ottawa,
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
Ontario, mixed forest near Manotick, Ottawa,
Quebec, Gatineau Park,
Quebec, Gatineau Park,
Ontario, Stittsville,
Ontario, Ottawa,
Cosmopolitan.
Ontario, Long Swamp, Ottawa,
Ontario, Ottawa,
Ontario, Carlsbad Springs,
Ontario, Leitrum,
Ontario, Ottawa,
This is mostly a Holarctic species, with some records from the Oriental region due to being a parasitoid of the Gypsy Moth,
Ontario, Kilbirnie,
Ontario, Ottawa,
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
Ontario, Ottawa,
Ontario, Ottawa,
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, mixed forest,
This undescribed species, so far only recorded from Canada seems to be an important parasitoid (at least locally) of the Diamondback Moth,
Ontario, North Gower to Smith Falls, 1 km N of Rd 6 & Montague Bdy Rd,
This species seems to be related to the European
Ontario, North Gower to Smith Falls, 1 km N of Rd 6 & Montague Bdy Rd,
This species seems to be related to a complex of species, from both Europe and North America. For the time being is left as an undescribed species, until more studies of the Holarctic fauna are carried out. This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, 1.6 km SW of Manion Corners, Carleton Co.,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, mixed forest,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, mixed forest,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, 5 km NW of Almonte, Hwy 49, Burnt Land, Alvar Prov. Park, Almonte,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, mixed forest,
Ontario, Aylmer West,
Ontario, CEF, DBM Field Cage Trials,
Ontario, Innisville,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, 5 km NW of Almonte, Hwy 49, Burnt Land, Alvar Prov. Park, Almonte,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, mixed forest,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Quebec, Gatineau Park,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, mixed forest,
The status of this species as a potential member of the Species Candidate Lists of
Quebec, Summit King Mt. Old Chelsea,
Ontario, Mer Bleue,
Ontario, Merivale,
Ontario, Kemptville,
Ontario, South March,
Ontario, Ottawa,
Ontario, Fallowfield,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, mixed forest,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
Ontario, Ottawa, City Garden,
Ontario, Ottawa,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, mixed forest,
Ontario, 2 km SW of Innisville,
Valerio and Whitfield (2015) synonymized this species under
Ontario, Merivale,
In this paper we are considering this species as separate from
Ontario, Aylmer West,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Woodlawn,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This is the only specimen of this genus known to us from Ottawa.
Ontario, Constance Bay,
The status of this species as a potential member of the Species Candidate Lists of
Ontario, Aylmer West,
Ontario, Aylmer West,
Ontario, Constance Bay,
Ontario, Jockvale,
Ontario, Innisville,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, 5 km NW of Almonte, Hwy 49, Burnt Land, Alvar Prov. Park, Almonte,
Specimens from both Europe and North America have rendered similar DNA barcodes, but we have not been able to match them to any described species – it remains as undescribed for the time being. This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, 2 km SW of Innisville,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, 2 km SW of Innisville,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
Ontario, Mer Bleue, Ottawa,
Ontario, Hazeldean,
Ontario, Innisville,
Ontario, Mer Bleue, Ottawa,
Quebec, Chelsea,
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
Ontario, Ottawa,
Ontario, Ottawa,
Ontario, Carlsbad Springs,
DNA barcodes of some specimens from North America identified as
Ontario, 5 km NW of Almonte, Hwy 49, Burnt Land, Alvar Prov. Park, Almonte,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, mixed forest,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, Central Experimental Farm,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, 5 km NW of Almonte, Hwy 49, Burnt Land, Alvar Prov. Park, Almonte,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Woodlawn,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, 5 km NW of Almonte, Hwy 49, Burnt Land, Alvar Prov. Park, Almonte,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, mixed forest,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, North Gower to Smith Falls, 1 km N of Rd 6 & Montague Boundary Rd,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, 5 km NW of Almonte, Hwy 49, Burnt Land, Alvar Prov. Park, Almonte,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, mixed forest,
Ontario, Ottawa,
Ontario, 5 km NW of Almonte, Hwy 49, Burnt Land, Alvar Prov. Park, Almonte,
Ontario, Aylmer West,
This is the first record of this species for the Nearctic region.
Ontario, Bells Corners,
Ontario, 5 km NW of Almonte, Hwy 49, Burnt Land, Alvar Prov. Park, Almonte,
Ontario, Ottawa,
Ontario, Mer Bleue,
Ontario, 5 km NW of Almonte, Hwy 49, Burnt Land, Alvar Prov. Park, Almonte,
Ontario, 5 km NW of Almonte, Hwy 49, Burnt Land, Alvar Prov. Park, Almonte,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
Ontario, Carp,
Ontario, Ottawa,
This species seems to be part of a complex related to
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
This species seems to be part of a complex related to
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
The status of this species as a potential member of the Species Candidate Lists of
Ontario, Stittsville,
The status of this species as a potential member of the Species Candidate Lists of
Ontario, Innisville,
Quebec, Summit King Mt. Old Chelsea,
This species corresponds in BOLD to BIN
Ontario, Ottawa, city garden,
Ontario, Ottawa, Dow’s swamp ,
Ontario, Bells Corners,
Many collectors over the past 120 years have contributed Ottawa specimens of