A multigene phylogeny of the Alysiinae and Opiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), parasitoids of dipteran larvae, results in a revised classification

Although Alysiinae and Opiinae are relatively large groups within the family Braconidae, comprehensive phylogenetic studies have been lacking and there are outstanding questions regarding their relationships and classification. We performed molecular phylogenetic analyses based on five genetic markers (COI, COII, Cyt b, ND1, 28SD2; total 2,089 bp) from 175 taxa using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses. Our results demonstrate that Opiinae formed a well-supported clade nested within Alysiinae, rendering Alysiinae paraphyletic. The traditional tribe Alysiini was not recovered as monophyletic, whereas Dacnusini was monophyletic but showed some internal topological instability between analyses. Based on our findings, we propose a revised subtribal classification that recognises Aspilotina and establishes the new subtribe Asobarina subtrib. nov. within Alysiini. Based on molecular dating analysis, the origin of the combined clade was estimated to the Early Cretaceous (111 Ma), with major diversification during the Paleocene-Eocene transition. Our findings also support a revised subtribal classification within Alysiinae and provide new insights into the evolutionary history of these economically important parasitoids of dipteran larvae.