Dr. Lars Krogmann

Phylogenetics of Chalcidoidea

The superfamily Chalcidoidea is one of the most diverse groups of insects in terms of species numbers, biology and morphology. More than 22,000 species have hitherto been described from nearly all terrestrial ecosystems. Different lifestyles (parasitoid, phytophagous, and predatory) can be found within the superfamily but most species are parasitoids of other insects. Many chalcidoid species have been successfully employed in biological control programs against insect pests. The realised and potential economic importance of Chalcidoidea makes increased research in their systematics essential.

Numerous projects on morphological/molecular phylogenetics and taxonomy are currently under way with an emphasis on Pteromalidae.

Chalcidoidea: Field work in Western Australia (left), Ormyromorpha sp. (Pteromalidae) (right).
Chalcidoidea: Field work in Western Australia (left), Ormyromorpha sp. (Pteromalidae) (right).

Gonatocerus morrilli (Mymaridae) from Krogmann & Vilhelmsen 2006 (left); Cecidostiba semifascia (Pteromalidae) ovipositing into knopper gall, Rosensteinpark Stuttgart (right).
Gonatocerus morrilli (Mymaridae) from Krogmann & Vilhelmsen 2006 (left); Cecidostiba semifascia (Pteromalidae) ovipositing into knopper gall, Rosensteinpark Stuttgart (right).

Systematics and biogeography of the Australian spider-hunting wasps (Pompilidae)

Spider-hunting wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) are a diverse group of parasitic wasps that prey exclusively on spiders. Females search and hunt for spiders, which they paralyse and store in a previously constructed nest as food for their developing larvae. All pompilid species provide a single spider per nest cell on which they lay a single egg. The Australian pompilid fauna is huge with an estimate of 500+ species (about 60% undescribed) and high in endemism. The primary aim of my current project is to develop a synopsis of the Australian pompilid genera. Based on extensive morphological and molecular data I will also derive a robust phylogeny of the Australian Pompilidae to enable a reclassification. Species revisions of selected genera are in preparation.

Australian endemic pompilids: Alococurgus sathanas, female (left) and male (center); Eremocurgus sp., male (right).
Australian endemic pompilids: Alococurgus sathanas, female (left) and male (center); Eremocurgus sp., male (right).


Systematics of the Australian Rhopalosomatidae

The family Rhopalosomatidae is represented in Australia solely by the enigmatic genus Olixon Cameron. Worldwide, 11 species of Olixon have been described, from which only two occur in Australia. Species of this genus have been extremely rarely collected (previously known by about 30 specimens in world collections), and have hardly ever been observed in the field. All species are ant-like and are probably solitary ectoparasitoids of crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). However, recent and extensive biological surveys in remote regions of Australia have generated hundreds of specimens and have revealed a huge species diversity of Olixon. A close examination of this material, including SEM yielded 15 new species. All specimens of Rhopalosomatidae have been databased and distribution maps for the Australian species have been created. A cladistic analyses of the world species of Olixon based on morphological characters  was performed to test if the Australian species form a monophyletic group.

Biology of rhopalosomatid wasps: Left: Parasitized cricket with rhopalosomatid larva. The larva is a second instar. Rhopalosomatid larvae live ectoparasitic and after moulting remain within the old exuviae. Right: Female of the Australian species Olixon ferrugineum Krogmann, Austin and Naumann 2009.
Biology of rhopalosomatid wasps: Left: Parasitized cricket with rhopalosomatid larva. The larva is a second instar. Rhopalosomatid larvae live ectoparasitic and after moulting remain within the old exuviae. Right: Female of the Australian species Olixon ferrugineum Krogmann, Austin and Naumann 2009.
Olixon Phylogeny: Cladistic analyses based on morphology indicate that the Australian species (cyan) of Olixon are not monophyletic and that some species show closer affinities to the African species (yellow).
Olixon Phylogeny: Cladistic analyses based on morphology indicate that the Australian species (cyan) of Olixon are not monophyletic and that some species show closer affinities to the African species (yellow).