MAIISG

Assessment Rationale:

Atrometoides nigerrimus is an endemic ichneumonid wasp species of the Azores (Portugal), being present historically (at least) on S. Miguel island. From the historical data, this species may have had a very small Extent of Occurrence (8 km2) and Area of Occupancy (8 km2), and it is possible that this species has declined in the past as a result of human activity. However, the present situation of this species needs to be further assessed, and further research is needed into its population, distribution, threats, ecology, life history and indigenous host species. Conservation/restoration of native habitats, as well as invasive plant species control, could potentially aid this species' conservation. Based upon the lack of recent data regarding this species population, distribution, threats, ecology and hosts, this species is assessed as Data Deficient (DD). 

Geographic Range:

Atrometoides nigerrimus is an endemic ichneumonid wasp species that was described from the island of S. Miguel (Azores, Portugal), having been collected near a lake (Lagoa do Congro). Based on the data from the 1938 expedition of Frey, Stora and Cedercreutz, the Extent of Occurrence (EOO) is ca. 8 km² and the Area of Occupancy (AOO) is ca. 8 km². However, there is no recent information regarding the distribution of this species.

Population:

No current population size estimates exist for this species.
Current Population Trend: Unknown 

Habitat and Ecology

The ecology and traits of this species are unknown. Other ichneumonid wasps from the subfamily Ophioninae are, in general, koinobiont endoparasitoids of Lepidoptera (Goulet and Huber 1993). This subfamily has a worldwide distribution (Goulet and Huber 1993). This species was collected near a lake (Lagoa do Congro).

Systems: Terrestrial 

Major Threat(s):

) A lack of information regarding the present status of this species or its unknown indigenous hosts precludes an assessment of potential threats. Nevertheless, this species might be affected by future habitat declines as a consequence of climate change (Ferreira et al., 2016). It can be assumed that habitat degradation caused by past and present human disturbance and land use changes, or by invasive species might also potentially affect or have affected this species or its indigenous hosts. 

Conservation Actions

The species is not protected by regional law. Further research is needed into its population, distribution, threats, ecology and life history as well as into its hosts. Conservation/restoration of native habitats, as well as invasive plant species control, could potentially aid this species' conservation. Historically, this species was present in areas that are currently included in the Natural Park of S. Miguel.