Assessment Rationale:

Phaedrotoma sanmiguelensis is an endemic braconid wasp species of the Azores (Portugal), known from Flores, Pico, S. Jorge and S. Miguel islands. From the historical data, this species has a limited extent of occurrence (EOO = 7,511 km2) and area of occupancy (AOO = 72 km2); and it is possible that this species has declined in the past as a result of human activity. 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. However, the EOO and AOO of the species are relatively small, on the global scale, and if there were more data available it is possible that the species could qualify as threatened under criterion B. Therefore, the species is assessed as Near Threatened. Conservation/restoration of native habitats, as well as invasive plant species control, could potentially aid this species' conservation.

Geographic Range:

Phaedrotoma sanmiguelensis is an Azorean-endemic braconid wasp species that was described from the islands of Flores, Pico, S. Jorge and S. Miguel (Azores, Portugal), being (in 1938) present in habitats that are currently degraded or that are a Natural Reserve (Lagoa do Caiado). Based on the data from the 1938 expedition of Frey, Stora and Cedercreutz, the Extent of Occurrence (EOO) is ca. 7,511 km² and the Area of Occupancy (AOO) is ca. 72 km². However, there is no recent information regarding the distribution of this species.

Population:

No current population size estimates exist for this species.

Habitat and Ecology

The ecology and traits for this species are unknown. Braconid wasps from the subfamily Opiinae are solitary koinobiont endoparasitoids of Cyclorrhapha Diptera (like Tephritidae and Agromizidae) larvae, and for some species, of their eggs (Goulet and Huber 1993). This species was found in natural and urbanised areas and in the vicinity of streams, lakes and hot springs. Some areas were and are currently highly disturbed, while Lagoa do Caiado is currently a Nature Reserve.

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). This species is also known from several disturbed sites, and as such, 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 at least, this species was present in areas that are currently included in the Natural Parks of Pico and S. Miguel.