Habronyx is a genus of parasitoid wasps belonging to the family Ichneumonidae.[1] The species of this genus are found in Europe, Australia, and North[1] and South America.[2]
Habronyx species are found in most realms, with the exception of the Afrotropical realm.[2]
Habronyx adults lay their eggs inside Lepidopteran larvae (i.e. caterpillars) by piercing them with their ovipositor.[2] Habronyx eggs consist of an equatorial disc and a caudal stalk, making them look a bit like the cartoon oil lamp from Aladdin.[3] It's thought that the shape is adapted to attach the egg to the inside of the caterpillar's integument.[4] Once the eggs hatch, the Habronyx larvae consume the caterpillar from the inside. They emerge from the deceased caterpillar as adults.
The adult of most Habronyx species are generally about 30mm in length.[3]
Like all ichneumons, the genitals of the male Habronyx consists of a capsule formed by two lateral gonosquamae. The membraneous part of the aedeagus is covered in small spines; Habryonx shares this feature with several other genera but some genera have a smooth aedeagus .[3]
Habronyx is a genus of parasitoid wasps belonging to the family Ichneumonidae. The species of this genus are found in Europe, Australia, and North and South America.