The Braconidae are a megadiverse and ecologically highly important group of insects. The vast majority of braconid wasps are parasitoids of other insects, usually attacking the egg or larval stages of their hosts. The ovipositor plays a crucial role in the assessment of the potential host and precise egg laying. We used light- and electron-microscopic techniques to investigate all inherent cuticular elements of the ovipositor (the female 9th abdominal tergum, two pairs of valvifers, and three pairs of valvulae) of the braconid Habrobracon hebetor (Say, 1836) in detail with respect to their morphological structure and microsculpture. Based on serial sections, we reconstructed the terebra in 3D with all its inherent structures and the ligaments connecting it to the 2nd valvifers. We examined the exact position of the paired valvilli, which are bilateral concave structures that protrude into the egg canal. In H. hebetor, these structures putatively divert the egg ventrally between the 1st valvulae for oviposition. We discuss further mechanical and functional aspects of the ovipositor in order to increase the understanding of this putative key feature in the evolution of braconids and of parasitoid wasps in general.

中文翻译：

---

Braconid 黄蜂 Habrobracon hebetor 的产卵器：结构和功能方面

Braconidae 是一个种类繁多且在生态上非常重要的昆虫群。绝大多数braconid黄蜂是其他昆虫的寄生蜂，通常攻击宿主的卵或幼虫阶段。产卵器在评估潜在宿主和精确产卵方面起着至关重要的作用。我们使用光学和电子显微镜技术详细研究了带壳 Habrobracon hebetor (Say, 1836) 的产卵器（雌性第 9 腹部 tergum、两对瓣膜和三对瓣膜）的所有固有表皮元素。到他们的形态结构和微雕塑。基于连续切片，我们以 3D 方式重建了椎骨及其所有固有结构和将其连接到第二瓣膜的韧带。我们检查了配对瓣膜的确切位置，它们是伸入卵管的双侧凹形结构。在 H. hebetor 中，这些结构假定将卵在第一瓣膜之间的腹侧转移以进行产卵。我们进一步讨论了产卵器的机械和功能方面，以增加对一般蜂类和寄生蜂进化中这个假定的关键特征的理解。