Guide to the family-level identification of Hymenoptera in New Zealand
Darren Ward & John Early
The publication can be cited as: Ward DF, Early JW 2010. Guide to the family-level identification of Hymenoptera in New Zealand v1.0. Online LUCID Phoenix key. http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biosystematics/invertebrates/hymenoptera/family_key/
Introduction
Hymenoptera (sawflies, wasps, ants and bees) are one of the most morphologically and ecologically diverse insect orders worldwide. They are one of the four mega-diverse insect orders, with over 100 000 described species, and are extremely beneficial to humans - as pollinators and natural biological control agents (reducing the populations of pest insects). However, the New Zealand hymenopteran fauna is extremely poorly known. Currently there are around 900 described species in 47 families. However, the true number of hymenopteran species in New Zealand could be in excess of 3000.
This identification guide to the families of New Zealand Hymenoptera was created using Lucid Phoenix, which works as an interactive dichotomous key. Many images were modified from originals created by Birgit Rhode, Des Helmore, and John Noyes (BMNH) for the publications of Noyes & Valentine (1989) and Donovan (2007).
Aims
Our aim for the key is to provide a relatively basic guide to the family-level identification of Hymenoptera families in New Zealand. Ultimately we hope to promote the greater use of Hymenoptera in biodiversity and conservation programmes in New Zealand by developing user-friendly identification guides.
'OPEN KEY'
Lucid Phoenix System Requirements |
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http://www.lucidcentral.org/Software/LucidPhoenix/SystemRequirements.aspx |
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The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) v1.4.2 or greater needs to be installed on your computer. To obtain the latest version of the JVM for free, go to www.java.com. |
Primary Contact
 | Darren Ward Email  |
Landcare Research | |
Phone: +64 9 574 4100 | |
| Details: Darren Ward |