Cladistics of the Aleiodes Lineage of the Subfamily Rogadinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

9306314肖蜂属寄生蜂是最常见的小蜂科昆虫（昆虫亚目：膜翅目），特别是在全北极地区的温带地区。这些黄蜂值得注意的是，寄主毛虫仍然是木乃伊，因此自然保存下来供研究。由于被攻击的毛虫种类繁多，因此该部落是分析拟寄生蜂利用寄主模式的一个特别有前途的研究群体。本研究的目的是对世界上不同种类的小蜂进行枝系分析，以解释小蜂对寄主的利用模式。所申请的资金将用于支持一名研究生，该研究生将协助PI进行标本准备，处理，数据收集，数据输入和扫描电子显微镜。要求增加经费用于扫描电子显微镜的研究和用品。这项研究将导致系统发育分类，这将为检查寄主利用模式提供框架。此外，它还将使Rogadini更容易用于寄生蜂生态学、行为、生理学和生物防治方面的进一步研究。这个项目将研究一个大黄蜂属的物种间的关系，这些黄蜂属在未成熟时是寄生的，以各种毛虫为食，其中许多毛虫是森林和农作物的害虫。这项研究应该会对这些有益的黄蜂进行合理、现代的分类。这样的分类将有助于进一步研究这些胡蜂的行为、生态学和寄主利用，并有助于应用这些胡蜂作为各种害虫的生物防治剂，从而减少有害化学物质的使用。＊＊＊

9306314 Shaw Parasitoid wasps of the genus Aleoides are among the most commonly encountered rogadine Braconidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera), particularly in temperate parts of the Holarctic region. These wasps are remarkable in that the host caterpillar remains mummified, thus naturally preserved for study. Since a wide variety of caterpillars are attacked, the tribe is a particularly promising study group for analysis of patterns of host utilization by parasitoid wasps. The purpose of this research is to complete a cladistic analysis of world species of Aleoides , which can be used to interpret patterns of host utilization by these wasps. The requested funds will be used to support a graduate student who will assist the PI with specimen preparation, handling, data gathering, data entry, and scanning electron microscopy. Additional funds are requested for scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies and supplies. This research will result in a phylogenetic classification, which will provide the framework for an examination of patterns of host utilization. It additionally will render the Rogadini more accessible to continued research in parasitoid ecology, behavior, physiology and biological control. %%% This project will examine the relationships of species in a large genus of wasps that are parasitic as immatures, feeding on a variety of caterpillars many of which are pests of forests and crops. The study should result in a sound, modern classification of these beneficial wasps. Such a classification will be of use for further studies in the behavior, ecology, and host utilization of these wasps and should aid applied efforts to use the se wasps as biological control agents of various pests, thereby diminishing use of noxious chemicals for insect control. ***