A new genus of Australian Tetrastichinae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae): an introduced pest of Chamelaucium uncinatum (Myrtaceae) in California

A new genus of tetrastichine eulophid, Oncastichus LaSalle, is described to contain a single new species, Oncastichus goughi Headrick and LaSalle. This species is native to Australia, and is a gall former on the Geraldton waxflower, Chamelaucium uncinatum. Oncastichus goughi was accidentally introduced into California where it causes economic damage to the Californian horticultural industry. This is the first example of a tetrastichine Eulophidae becoming an economically important introduced pest species.     

Revision of the Neotropical species of the tribe Euderomphalini (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

The Neotropical species and genera of the tribe Euderomphalini (Eulophidae: Entedoninae) are revised. Five genera are described as new: Cabeza, including six species (baeostigma (§, ¦), canaliculata (§), laticeps (¦), petiolata (§), planiscapus (§), ugaldei (§)); Itahipeus, including two species (brasilicola (§, ¦), euryceps (¦)); Monterrondo, including one species (aphelosoma (§)); Sifraneurus, including one species (strigifer (§)); Xenopomphale, including one species (sulcata (§)); all above-mentioned species are described as new. Five additional genera are included: Aleuroctonus LaSalle and Schauff, with four species, one described previously: vittatus (Dozier) (§, ¦), and three described here: latiscapus (§), marki, (§, ¦) and metallicus (§); Entedononecremnus Girault, with 14 species, two described previously: krauteri Zolnerowich and Rose (§, ¦), unicus Girault (§, ¦), and 12 described here: bennetti (§, ¦), bimaculatus (§, ¦), convexus (§, ¦), crassicornis (§, ¦), depressus (§), fulgens (§), hansoni (§, ¦), imdasus (§, ¦), parfer (§, ¦), reticulatus (§), tripar (§) and unicarinatus (§); Euderomphale Girault, with two species, one described previously: flavimedia (Howard), and one described here: sulciscapus (§, ¦); Neopomphale LaSalle and Schauff, with 20 species, two described previously: aleurothrixi (Dozier) (§, ¦), quercicola (Dozier) (§, ¦), and 18 described here: azofeifai (¦), cerrobius (¦), depilis (§), dichrous (§, ¦), erecta (¦), graciliclava (§), longicornis (¦), longipilis (§, ¦), nonaequa (§, ¦), noyesi (§), pinguicornis (§, ¦), prymna (§), rubescens (§, ¦), rubii (§), silvestris (¦), transversa (§), umbonata (§, ¦), xenipennis (§); Dasyomphale LaSalle and Schauff, including one species (chilensis LaSalle and Schauff). The genera are placed in either one of three genus-groups, one of which is newly created. The species Euderomphale quercicola Dozier is newly combined to Neopomphale. Lectotypes are designated for Entedononecremnus unicus Girault, Euderomphale quercicola Dozier and Gyrolasia flavimedia Howard. Key to genera and species are included.     

The preimaginal stages of Minotetrastichus frontalis (Nees) and Chrysocharis laomedon (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), parasitoids associated with Phyllonorycter issikii (Kumata) (Lepidoptera,Gracillariidae)

The biology and morphology of the early larval instars of Minotetrastichus frontalis (Nees) are redescribed and the morphology of the preimaginal stages of Chrysocharis laomedon (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) are described in detail for the first time. Both species are larval-pupal parasitoids of Phyllonorycter issikii (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae), which is associated with Tilia sp. The female of M. frontalis lays her egg beside the host larva and the newly hatched first instar larva moves and has to find the host larva. The larva of P. issikii tries to continue its feeding but never pupates after paralysis. The female of C. laomedon lays its egg inside the cuticle of the larva of P. issikii, but the newly hatched parasitoid larva vacates the host larva and develops externally on its surface as an ectoparasitoid. Such behaviour might be facilitated by the constant temperature and humidity inside the mine. Some peculiarities of parasitoid–host relationships are described and discussed.     

Lasalleistichus a new genus of Tetrastichinae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from the Neotropical region,including four new species

ABSTRACT

A new genus, Lasalleistichus, is described based on material from the Neotropical region (Brazil, Costa Rica, Peru). This new genus includes four species: L. albiclava, L. albifasciatus, L. fuscicoxa, L. longicaulis, all spp. n. and described here. The group is mainly female based, males are known only for L. albiclava. There is no biological information available for this group.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:82E08F36-E2C4-42FF-AD12-11B49C272AC6     

Observations on the nesting behaviour of the spider wasp Eragenia congrua (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), with the first record of the host

We describe, for the first time, the nesting behaviour of an Eragenia spider wasp, Eragenia congrua, based on field observations in the Brazilian Amazon. This species was observed nesting in holes at the base of the trunk of a Jacaranda copaia tree and provisioning nests with both amputated and non-amputated species of undetermined Corinna sp. (Corinnidae) spiders. The spiders are carried forward and grasped at the base of the chelicerae. Nesting is gregarious with females nesting in the same small area on successive days.     

A first phylogenomic hypothesis for Eulophidae (Hymenoptera,Chalcidoidea)

ABSTRACT

Eulophidae is a hyper-diverse family of chalcidoid wasps with 324 genera, about 5300 described species and probably thousands of others to be described. Until now, the absence of unequivocal morphological apomorphies and the low resolution provided by the handful of Sanger sequenced genes have hampered the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships within the family. Here, we used ultra-conserved elements and their flanking regions to resolve relationships among 84 species of eulophids included in 63 genera representing all subfamilies and most tribes, plus 15 outgroups. Our analyses recover all traditional Eulophidae subfamilies and tribes with high support and globally agree with the traditional classification of the family. Our results confirm that Eulophinae + Tetrastichinae is the sister group of (Opheliminae + Entiinae) + Entedoninae. At the generic level, our analyses provide high support for intergeneric relationships for which morphology and Sanger markers previously failed to provide resolution. Our results also confirm that Trisecodes does not group with Eulophidae and may not belong to this family; however, its correct classification still awaits a large-scale phylogenomic hypothesis for Chalcidoidea. This work opens new avenues towards a better understanding of the evolutionary history, biogeography and evolution of host–parasitoid associations in this hyper-diverse family of chalcidoid wasps.     

Revision of Indian species of Baeus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Platygastroidea: Scelionidae)

ABSTRACT

Baeus senus Kozlov and Lê from Vietnam and B. primitus Rajmohana from India are the only two species of the genus known from the Oriental region. Thirty eight new species of Baeus are here described from India: B. acuminatus sp. n., B. agniparvathus sp. n., B. airavata sp. n., B. arachnophagus sp. n., B. bagheera sp. n., B. bharathiae sp. n., B. chakora sp. n., B. chitrasena sp. n., B. ciprianii sp. n., B. densipilosus sp. n., B. flaviscapus sp. n., B. gajakarna sp. n., B. giganteus sp. n., B. himalayanus sp. n., B. krishnareddyi sp. n., B. krumbiegeli sp. n., B. kubera sp. n., B. longiabdominalis sp. n., B. mahanetra sp. n., B. mareecha sp. n., B. menaka sp. n., B. nbairus sp. n., B. nicobarensis sp. n., B. pygmaeus sp. n., B. rachanae sp. n., B. rambha sp. n., B. ravana sp. n., B. reticulatus sp. n., B. sreedeviae sp. n., B. striatus sp. n., B. takshaka sp. n., B. tejaswii sp. n., B. tilottama sp. n., B. tripurasundari sp. n., B. tumburu sp. n., B. urvashi sp. n., B. vichitra sp. n. and B. xanthoclavatus sp. n. A key to the Indian species of Baeus is provided along with illustrations.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:878C5BFB-C2CB-4163-A08B-C761B4C6F087     

The Hymenoptera (Chalcidoidea,Ichneumonoidea, Platygastroidea) described by Vittorio Delucchi: an annotated catalogue

The present catalogue lists 144 species and one subspecies described by Delucchi (134), Delucchi et al. (eight), Ferrière in Delucchi (two), and Ferrière and Delucchi (one). Name-bearing types are deposited in the entomological collections at the Lund University (three), the Natural History Museums of Budapest (three), Geneva (nine), London (four), Oxford (one), Paris (three), and Vienna (35), the Royal Africa Museum, Tervuren (26), and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich (60). The actual depository of the name-bearing types of one species and the subspecies (Scelionidae) is unknown. Lectotypes of 15 species are here designated. Twenty new synonyms are established, Eulophidae: Entedon erdoesi Delucchi= E. metatarsalis Thomson. Pteromalidae: Gitognathus gibberosus Delucchi and Lamprotatus kerrichi Delucchi= Sphaeripalpus viridis Förster; Glyphognathus umbelliferae Graham= G. convexus (Delucchi); Kentema viride Delucchi= Merismus megapterus Walker; Lamprotatus cupreus Delucchi, L. ornatus Delucchi, and L. rusticus Delucchi= L. splendens Westwood; Lamprotatus flavus Delucchi= L. crassipes Thomson; Lamprotatus montanus Delucchi= L. picinervis Thomson; Miscogaster fulgens Delucchi= M. rufipes Walker; Miscogaster lucens Delucchi= M. hortensis Walker; Seladerma agreste Delucchi= S. convexum Walker; Seladerma luteolum Delucchi= S. bicolor Walker; Seladerma nobile Delucchi and S. violaceum Delucchi= S. laetum Walker; Skeloceras cerebrosum Delucchi= Lamprotatus truncatus (Fonscolombe); Skeloceras glaucum Delucchi= Lamprotatus novickyi (Delucchi); Stictomischus lamprosomus Graham= S. nitentis Delucchi; Telepsogos helveticus Delucchi= Seladerma nigrum (Delucchi). Twelve new combinations are proposed, Eulophidae: Achrysocharoides parva (Delucchi) (from Enaysma); Aprostocetus hanangensis (Delucchi), A. longiscutulum (Delucchi), A. scutellaris (Delucchi), Neotrichoporoides crassianulus (Delucchi), N. microstigma (Delucchi), and Pracetus stramenticius (Delucchi) (all from Tetrastichus); Notanisomorphella bicolor (Delucchi) (from Sunha); Platyplectrus meruensis (Delucchi) (from Euplectromorpha). Pteromalidae: Glyphognathus convexus (Delucchi) (from Stictomischus) and G. nitidus (Delucchi) (from Sphaeripalpus); Theocolax oblonga (Delucchi) (from Cerocephala). The paper provides taxonomic notes on several species, references to published figures of and detailed information on type specimens. Parts of them, mostly antennae and wings, were mounted on slides by Delucchi and were contained in a hitherto unknown slide collection. These slides are individually associated with the respective specimens.     

The evolution of nest building and communal nesting in Ageniellini (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)

Pompilid wasps prey upon spiders and use a single spider per nest cell. The majority of species dig simple burrows in the soil in which to cache their spider, on which an egg is laid. The nest is not revisited, but another nest is prepared elsewhere. However, members of the tribe Ageniellini show much diversity in nesting behaviour. Species of the genus Ageniella nest in pre-existing cavities in the soil, closing off their cells with bits of debris. Most other Ageniellini that have been studied carry water to make mud pellets, from which ovoid nest cells are made. Usually a series of such cells is made in close proximity, often under loose bark or stones or in hollow stems. A few species make free nests above ground, usually in protected places or with thick mud walls. In some cases nest sites are known to be re-occupied by members of successive generations. Several species are known to nest communally, co-operating in nest defense and in cell building. In many ways the evolution of nesting behaviour in this group parallels that in the mud-using Vespidae, but the use of a single prey per cell precludes development of progressive provisioning and of eusociality similar to that of many Vespidae.     

The function of spider egg sacs in relation to parasitoids and predators,with special reference to the Australian fauna

The function of spider egg sacs is analysed as structures to reduce or prevent mortality by parasitoids and predators. The host relationships of the groups concerned are documented, with special reference to the Australian fauna. Many new records are presented and the biology of each group is discussed. Information presented supports the hypothesis that egg sacs are an effective barrier against scavenging predators (generalists), while coevolution between spiders and their specialized (highly adapted) parasitoids and predators is responsible for the specificity displayed by the latter two groups and the structural diversity evident of egg sacs.     

Offspring discrimination by female parents of the matriphagous spider Cheiracanthium japonicum (Araneae: Eutichuridae)

The ability of females of the matriphagous spider Cheiracanthium japonicum to discern their own offspring was examined based on a comparison of her maternal care for her own eggs and spiderlings with other conspecific females as well as those of other congeneric species. Cheiracanthium japonicum females did not discern their own nest from those of conspecific and congeneric individuals. In addition, the female did not distinguish her own egg sac from those of other conspecific or congeneric individuals. On the other hand, the female clearly discriminated between her own spiderlings and those of other congeneric species only if the congeneric spiderlings were introduced into the breeding nest. Consequently, the female will allow conspecific spiderlings to predate her (i.e. cannibalism). However, it is hardly expected that spiderlings of a certain female would eat another female in the field, as the reproductive period is quite short and synchronised in a population. Considering that the female can only recognise spiderlings of other species, the recognition ability of C. japonicum females will be evolved only to work as a protection against intruders of other species into the breeding nest.     

Ultrastructure of the egg of Sanguinicola inermis Plehn, 1905 (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae)

Eggs of Sanguinicola inermis are the main cause of pathology in the definitive fish host. Eggs were collected from the common carp, Cyprinus carpio, and examined with transmission electron microscopy and optical histochemistry. Eggs, which lack microspines and pores, possess a thin shell with an outer surface of shallow reticulations and inner spherical projections. Internally the egg comprises a homogeneous acellular layer adjacent to a thicker syncytial, metabolically active layer. The latter layer is filled with glycogen and contains many excretory concretions, which are also present within the egg lumen. Portions of the syncytial layer extend towards the egg lumen and are in close proximity to the enclosed miracidium. Histochemical tests on the shell were negative for elastin.     

Pre-ovipositional and ovipositional behaviour of Lasioseius ometes (Oudemans) and Hypoaspis kargi Costa (Acari: Dermanyssiae: Ascidae,Laelapidae) with notes on egg protection strategies in Mesostigmata

Egg deposition by the soil mites Lasioseius ometes (Oudemans, 1903) and Hypoaspis kargi Costa, 1968 was observed using continuous video-monitoring. The process in both species was found to consist of four distinct phases. In Phase 1, both species engage in pre-ovipositional activity prior to the egg being extruded from the genital opening. In L. ometes, the female often selects a substrate depression for egg laying and examines the depression carefully with the gnathosoma and legs I before oviposition. In H. kargi, egg deposition sites are chosen without regard for substrate depressions. Phase 1 lasted approximately 3 minutes for both species. Phase 2 involved egg extrusion and holding of the egg beneath the gnathosoma. Phase 2 lasted approximately 20 times longer in L. ometes (5 minutes) than in H. kargi. Alteration of the egg surface in the form of thorn-like outgrowths was recorded in L. ometes. Egg deposition occurs in Phase 3, and in L. ometes the egg is generally placed at the deposition site using the chelicerae. Hypoaspis kargi also uses the chelicerae for egg manipulation, but also adjusts orientation of the egg with legs I. The sticky nature of egg surface in H. kargi may provide a means for the female to effectively cover the exposed egg with a protective layer of soil particles. Egg deposition in both species occurred in less than 90 seconds. Phase 4 involves egg covering, but behaviour of the female during this last phase differs markedly between the two species. In L. ometes, the female tends to remain close to the egg, whereas in H. kargi the female moves away from the egg to search for substrate particles appropriate for its covering. The average time for Phase 4 in H. kargi was approximately four times longer (80+ minutes) than in L. ometes.     

Specialization in the choice and use of spider silk in the nest of the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) (Aves,Fringillidae)

The chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs, is one of a large number of birds from many families that use silk in the construction of their nests. Thirty-eight chaffinch nests collected from around the UK were examined to determine the nature and role of silk in nest construction. A regular survey of web, retreat and cocoon silk availability was made at a study site close to Glasgow, Scotland, over a 12 month period. The only spider web silk found in the nests was of the type produced by cribellate spiders. The majority of silk in nests, however, was spider cocoons, but there was no correlation between the amount of cocoon and web silk used. Nests with more lichen decoration contained more silk, and cocoon silk was particularly associated with the attachment of lichen. Nest construction at the study site took place from late April to mid-May. When nest building began, the availability of suitable web silk had doubled from its winter (lowest) level; however, its abundance continued to rise sharply until the end of May. The possible influence of silk availability on the timing of chaffinch nesting is discussed.     

Two new species of Hymenoepimecis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Pimplinae) with notes on their spider hosts and behaviour manipulation

The wasp genera included in the Polysphincta genus-group develop exclusively as koinobiont ectoparasitoids of spiders, an unusual pattern within Hymenoptera. All known species of Hymenoepimecis attack orb-web spiders and Hymenoepimecis argyraphaga was previously described inducing a sudden modification of its host's web-building behaviour. Information on parasitoid–host interactions and even on host identities for most members of the genus-group, however, remain scarce. In this study we describe two new species of Hymenoepimecis and present information on their hosts, spiders of the genera Leucauge (Tetragnathidae) and Manogea (Araneidae). Cocoon webs of both host species are distinct from their normal webs. The modified cocoon web of Leucauge roseosignata constructed under the influence of Hymenoepimecis japi sp. nov. is very similar to the cocoon web described for Leucauge argyra. It is composed of three axes, including several radial threads each, and a hub used by the larva to attach the cocoon's suspension line. Spiral viscous threads, present in normal webs and in webs of parasitized spiders carrying larvae in the initial instars, are absent in cocoon webs. In the cocoon web of Manogea porracea the horizontal sheet is poorly structured and the cocoon is attached far from the spider's normal resting position, in an area composed of a densely tangled structure.     

Qualitative relations of egg size,egg production and colony size in some ponerine ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The sizes of eggs and reproductives of 13 species of ponerine ant were measured, and information about the mature colony sizes, ovarial anatomy and individual fecundities of a selection of ponerine species was assembled. Inter-specific variation in the size of colonies was found to be poorly related to aspects of individual fecundity, and although the few cases of polygyny were associated with larger colony sizes, monogynous species often attained even larger sizes. Within the subfamily individual fecundity may be increased primarily by a decrease in the maternal investment in individual eggs, and perhaps to a lesser extent by an increase in the number of ovarioles in each ovary or an increase in the length of each ovariole. The diet of a species and the longevity of adult worker ants relative to the duration of their larval development are suggested as factors besides reproductive characteristics that might also contribute to differences in colony size.     

The braconid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) associated with seeds of Dipterocarpaceae in Malaysia

Nineteen species of Braconidae have been reared from seeds of Dipterocarpaceae (mainly Shorea species) in West Malaysia. Eleven new species (Brachistinae: Schizoprymnus mesocaudus sp. nov.; Schizoprymnus torreadoroides sp. nov.; Braconinae: Bracon nitidisoma sp. nov.; Bracon rugulifer sp. nov.; Syntomernus shoreatus sp. nov.; Spermatobracon triangulornatus sp. nov.; Cheloninae: Ascogaster cornifera sp. nov.; Ascogaster lamellifera sp. nov.; Phanerotoma divergens sp. nov.; Microgastrinae: Apanteles hemiaurantius sp. nov.; Apanteles striatus sp. nov.) and one new genus (Spermatobracon gen. nov.; type species: Spermatobracon triangulornatus gen. nov. and sp. nov.) are described and illustrated.