Phygadeuontinae, Förster, 1869

Phygadeuontinae

Notes

One of the most diverse subfamilies with regards to host usage, which are more or less concealed hosts ( Broad et al. 2018). Several species-rich genera contain species using multiple hibernation strategies (e. g. Aclastus , Charitopes and Gelis ). More exceptionally, even at the species (or population) level, we have evidence that multiple mechanisms are used. This may be related to host usage (mainly Lepidoptera , although Aclastus and Charitopes spp. are associated with spiders and Neuroptera, respectively) and geography (see Discussion). It it is often not entirely clear if there is a period of quiescence or facultative or obligate diapause. To complicate things, identification is often difficult in this subfamily. There are several taxonomic issues and some genera need to be revised. As a consequence, we have been reviewing the reports of the genus Phygadeuon quite critically and classified most species as ‘ Unverified’. For several other genera, we cannot say a lot at this stage. Some of these genera seem to be more likely to hibernate (e. g. Arotrephes , Gnotus ) than others (e. g. Dichrogaster , Endasys , Hemiteles and Lysibia ), but more data are needed.