About this Site

This blog is an effort to promote and encourage the study of braconid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) parasitoids of caterpillars (Lepidoptera). There is a notorious scarcity of resources available on the Web about this important group of insects. For that reason, basic data on species and new information on its distribution and biology will be provided here. The initial focus will be on Canada and related temperate areas (Nearctic and Palearctic regions, comprising North America, Europe and the northern parts of Asia), although the coverage will expand over time.

The contents are especially addressed to those working on biological control of agriculture and forestry pests, biodiversity researchers, ecologists and taxonomists. It also hopes to reach to citizen scientists and natural history enthusiasts interested in rearing caterpillars. This site wants to become a forum where ideas and questions on the topics mentioned above can be freely exchanged. Comments, criticisms, and contributions are very welcome and greatly appreciated.

Unless expressed otherwise, the ideas and contents of this blog are personal, and not necessarily represent those of my employer (the University of Guelph), nor those of the Canadian National Collection of Insects (Ottawa), where I am based and carry out my work.

Photographs of specimens shown here, and the vast majority of the written contents are original. They may be reproduced and used elsewhere for scientific or educational purposes but not for commercial use, as long the original source (this blog) is cited. In cases where I am using material from others, the original sources will be cited and fully acknowledged. 

Many institutions have supported my work on braconid wasps during the past 7 years. I am particularly indebted to the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario (University of Guelph, Canada), the Canadian National Collection of Insects (CNC, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa), the administration of Area de Conservación Guanacaste (Costa Rica) and the Wege Foundation (Michigan, United States).

I am also very thankful to the researchers that have encouraged me to study Microgastrinae and have generously shared their vast knowledge: the complete staff (including technicians) of the Hymenoptera Unit of the CNC, especially Henri Goulet, Caroline Boudreault, Lubo Masner and John Huber; James Whitfield (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States); Mark Shaw (National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh, United Kingdom); Kees van Achterberg (Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands); Jenő Papp (Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest, Hungary) and Horacio Grillo (Universidad Central de Las Villas, Santa Clara, Cuba).

Last but not least, I am very grateful to all researchers that have sent me material for identification and/or have asked questions about particular species/genera of Microgastrinae. They are many, and I expect to mention and acknowledge them all in the posts that will appear in this blog. They have been the ones truly inspiring this website, and I hope they can benefit from its resources.