Classification
from Australian Faunal Directory
Order Hymenoptera - Wasps, Ants, Bees and Sawflies, 12202 named species in Australia
Family Ichneumonidae - parasitic wasps, 472 named species in Australia
Subfamily Pimplinae - 60 named species in Australia
Genus Theronia (4 species)
Species Theronia steindachneri
Description
From Gauld (1984), page 315
Fore wing length 7-12 mm. Mandible weakly narrowed, the teeth almost equal. Genae rounded behind eyes, in larger specimens somewhat inflated; posterior ocellus separated from eye by 1.1-1.2 times its maximum diameter, interocellar distance 0.7-0.8 times maximum ocellar diameter, the ocellar triangle slightly higher than broad. Occipital carina complete. Antenna stout, not distally tapered; scape apically truncate 45-50 degrees; flagellum with 37-39 segments, the penultimate distal segments slightly broader than long (Fig. 70). Scutellum carinate 0.2-0.5 of its length, generally most extensively carinate in the male. Propodeum with lateral longitudinal carinae complete; lateromedian carinae present anteriorly, rather far apart and divergent posteriorly, confluent with lateral remnants of posterior transverse carina (Fig. 69); propodeal spiracle elliptical; submetapleural carina very strongly broadened anteriorly, often bearing coarse striae. Fore tibia unspecialized; fore tarsal segments 3 and 4 without stout bristles; hind femur with long rather sparse hairs ventrally. Fore wing with cu-a slightly distal to base of Rs&M; areolet quite large, oblique. Gaster of female with tergite one 1.4 to 1.5 times as long as broad, its sternite extending 0.2-0.3 of its length (Fig. 66). Ovipositor projecting beyond apex of gaster by 1.2-1.3 times length of hind tibia, the lower valve simple.
Orange, with antenna and hind tarsus mainly blackish. Wings weakly to moderately infumate.
Host Records
Lymantriidae: Teia anartoides Walker (now Orgyia anartoides) (BMNH). Noctuidae: Pericyma cruegeri (Butler) (DPIQ). Psychidae: Hyalarcta huebneri (Westwood) (QM). Saturniidae: Antheraea astrophela Walker (Cameron, 1912).
References
- Gauld, I.D. (1984) The Pimplinae, Xoridinae, Acaenitinae, Lycorinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) of Australia. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Entomology 49: 235-339