Biodiversity of Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) in Mexico

Abstract

Ichneumonids form the family with more diversity of species in the Order Hymenoptera and one of the more diverse families in the Class Insecta. For Mexico, 1 291 species (5.3% of the world's total) from 300 genera and 28 subfamilies are recorded; from 43 genera the species have not been identifies, for a total of 343 genera. Between 3 215 and 4 534 species are estimated for the country, considering the necessity of consistent studies in the north, central, western and southeastern regions. Fifty nine percent (760) of the species are Neotropical, 29% (371) are Neotropical and Nearctic, 10% (127) are Nearctic, and the remaining 2% (33) have other affinities. At the moment, 45% (580) of the species are considered endemics but this is because of the recent description of many new species and the necessity of more studies in Central America (except Costa Rica).