Neurogalesus carinatus is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Diapriidae,[1] first described in 1907.[2] It uses the Australian soldier fly Inopus rubriceps as a host, sharing its range in pastured areas of South East Queensland, northern New South Wales and its non-native range on the North Island of New Zealand.[1]
| Neurogalesus carinatus | |
|---|---|
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| Neurogalesus carinatus from New Zealand | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Diapriidae |
| Genus: | Neurogalesus |
| Species: | N. carinatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Neurogalesus carinatus Kieffer, 1907 | |
| Synonyms | |
Neurogalesus hackeri Dodd, 1915 | |
Description
Neurogalesus carinatus have deep red-coloured legs and antennae,[2] with a female body length of up to 5.5mm.[1] It can be distinguished from Neurogalesus dissimilis and Neurogalesus rubripes (two wasps with similar appearances) by having a sulcus on either side of the median groove at the base of the abdomen.[2]
Distribution
The earliest recorded sighting of Neurogalesus carinatus in New Zealand is in 1985, after a specimen was collected from Māngere in Auckland.[1] As of 2014, no specimens have been collected from New Zealand native bush environments, suggesting that the fly exclusively lives in urban environments and pastures.[1] No species of fly other than Inopus rubriceps present in New Zealand are known to act as hosts for Neurogalesus carinatus.[1]