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John Heraty
PhD. Texas A&M University, 1990
MSc University of Guelph, 1984
BSc University of Guelph, 1976
Research focuses on the systematics, phylogeny and biogeography of
the Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera). Chalcidoid wasps rank numerically among
the largest groups of insects, with estimates of as many as 100,000
species; however, the fauna is poorly known. Most are specialized
parasites, and the majority of successful biological control projects
have utilized these minute wasps to achieve partial or complete control
of insect pests. One area of our research is on the Eucharitidae, a
specialized group of ant parasities. The taxonomy of this group is
poorly understood, and presently, only a small proportion of the known
species can be identified. The larvae of Eucharitidae exhibit several
peculiar behaviors associated with gaining access to the ant host, and
studies on higher classification using cladistic methodology have led
to a greater understanding of the evolution of behavioral patterns
within the family, This knowledge has proved useful in studies on other
groups of Hymenoptera that parasitize eusocial insects and for
postulating a biogeographic hypothesis for the family. A second area of
research emphasizes the systematics of the Aphelinidae, which are
generally parasites of aphids, whiteflies and scale insects. Most
analyses of relationships have been based on internal and external
morphological traits, but molecular techniques are now being applied to
understanding the higher phylogeny of the Chalcidoidea and the
relationships among species of the genus Encarsia (Aphelinidae). Other
research interests include studies of the diversity of Hymenoptera on
the Galapagos Islands, internal studies of the skeleto-musculature of
Hymenoptera and parasitoid interactions with leafmining moths of the
family Gracillariidae. All of our studies incorporate morphological,
biological or molecular information into analyses that are used to
formulate hypotheses of phylogenetic relationships and the evolution of
behavioral patterns. The evolution of host associations, an area of
paramount importance to biological control programs, is central to all
of our studies. This is a fascinating area of research demonstrating
the utility and impact of systematics to almost every area of science.
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John Heraty