Alphomelon winniewertzae Deans, 2003

Fernandez-Triana, Jose L, 2014, Towards the conservation of parasitoid wasp species in Canada: Preliminary assessment of Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Biodiversity Data Journal 2, pp. 1067-1067 : 1067

Alphomelon winniewertzae Deans, 2003

Materials

Type status: Other material. Occurrence: recordedBy: Jose Fernandez-Triana; individualCount: one; sex: female; Location: country: Canada; stateProvince: Ontario; verbatimLocality: Marmora; Event: eventDate: 8.vii.1952; Record Level: institutionCode: CNC Type status: Other material. Occurrence: recordedBy: Jose Fernandez-Triana; individualCount: one; sex: female; Location: country: Canada; stateProvince: Quebec; verbatimLocality: Old Chelsea, Gatineau Park, Summit of King Mountain; verbatimElevation: 350 m; Event: eventDate: 11.viii.1965; Record Level: collectionID: CNC

Distribution

Figs 1, 2

This genus is distributed from the Neotropics (Costa Rica, Mexico) to central and eastern United States ( Yu et al. 2012). Deans et al. 2003 mentioned Alphomelon winniewertzae from Canada (Ontario, Marmora, one female specimen deposited in the CNC), and Fernandez-Triana 2010 recorded the species as also present in the province of Quebec, without giving more details. Here complete information of that second record is provided for the first time (Quebec, Old Chelsea, Gatineau Park, Summit of King Mountain, one female specimen deposited in the CNC). The species has been reported by Deans et al. 2003 as a parasitoid of Calpodes ethlius and Euphyes vestris ( Lepidoptera : Hesperidae ). Based on the information available, Alphomelon winniewertzae could be distributed in Canada in an area between the rivers Ottawa and Saint Lawrence (44-45°N, 77-78°W). That represents less than 5% of the global range of the species. Alphomelon is mostly a Neotropical genus, with only three species reaching the Nearctic (mostly southern and eastern US), and Alphomelon winniewertzae is the only known in Canada and the northenmost species of the genus.

Conservation

Assessment using the prioritization criteria developed by COSEWIC. Existing global conservation status: None (species is not listed on Natureserve nor has it been assigned a Canadian national conservation status rank). Canadian population size and trends: No information on population size is available. Threats: Residential and commercial development - high (most of the areas where the species occur in Canada are already heavily populated); Agriculture and aquaculture - unknown; Human intrusions and disturbance - medium; Natural system modifications - high (alteration of the natural areas currently protected would likely extirpate the species from Canada); Invasive and other problematic species and genes - unknown but likely low, unless another wasp species parasitizing the same host would be introduced (and then competing for the same host, an scenario not likely to occur); Climate change and severe weather - unknown but likely low (climate change increasing the temperatures would not affect much the presence of this species in Canada, because it is already distributed in warmer areas). Small extent of occurrence or area of occupancy: Recorded from two localities in Canada. Limiting biological factors: Unknown.