Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Suborder Apocrita Rank Species | Phylum Arthropoda Order Hymenoptera Superfamily Chalcidoidea | |
Rotoita basalis is a small relictual parasitic wasp in the family Rotoitidae. Its closest known relative and only other species listed in the same family is endemic to Chile. This is one of the most recently discovered families of chalcidoids, although they may be of the oldest lineage.
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Unique Anatomy
Features of their anatomy, including very "primitive" wing venation, have led researchers to believe the Rotoitids may be very near to the base of the Chalcidoid family tree, close to the Mymaridae. Other characteristics including having a 14-segmented antennae in the female with a distinct 6-segmented clava (club-like segments at the end of antennae), a basal vein in the fore wing, a transverse scutellum, extremely reduced, & hidden prepectus, & absence of notauli.
Specimens are approximately 1mm in length.
Discovery
The family was established for the new genus and species. Rotoita basalis by BoucÏek and Noyes in 1987 was based on three fully winged females from New Zealand. The authors stated that they also had two other females from the North and South Islands of New Zealand that might represent two additional species [in the same Family - taxonomically speaking].
Most of New Zealand’s native wasps are parasitic, & new species are constantly being discovered. Recently a whole new family Maamingidae was found in New Zealand; this family is found nowhere else.
Biology
Nothing specific is actually known about Rotoitae biology.
Within their natural ecosystems, other parasitic wasps are the enemies of host insects. Many species live in leaf litter: Some have reduced or absent wings, so they cannot fly. The size that parasitic wasps reach is limited by the size of their host. Smaller ones, such as Rotoita basalis, we would expect develop inside small hosts, like insects’ eggs, or scale insects.
Generally with comparable wasps, females use their needle-like ovipositor to place eggs on or inside another insect, usually its egg, larva or pupa. When the wasp larva hatches from the egg, it feeds on its host – at first on non-essential body tissues so as not to kill it too quickly. Eventually it consumes the host. The fully fed wasp larva then forms a pupa, and eventually an adult parasitic wasp emerges.
Name Sake
A slide-mounted female from St Arnaud (formally Rotoiti Village) is listed as a paratype used to describe the species. Lake Rotoiti is a large fresh water body and a dominant feature when visiting Saint Arnaud Village: It was inspiration when naming the family, as well as genus. The Maori "Rotoiti" translates simply as "Little Lake".