Encarsia (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) parasitoids of Bemisia species in Taiwan (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The whitefly genus Bemisia (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is represented by five species in Taiwan, including the notorious global pest Bemisia tabaci. A catalogue of Encarsia species attacking these whiteflies, based almost entirely on previously unpublished records, is provided. A key for the identification of the 17 Encarsia species known to parasitize Bemisia species in Taiwan is provided. Three new species, E. guangxingana Shih, Ko and Polaszek sp. nov., E. lineolata Shih, Ko and Polaszek sp. nov. and E. magnalata Shih, Ko and Polaszek sp. nov., are described from Taiwan. These new species were all reared from Bemisia giffardi.     

Wallaceaphytis: an unusual new genus of parasitoid wasp (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) from Borneo

Wallaceaphytis Polaszek and Fusu gen. nov. (type species Wallaceaphytis kikiae Ayshford and Polaszek sp. nov.) is described from Danum Valley, Sabah, in Malaysian Borneo. Although known from just a single female individual, the genus is extremely unusual morphologically, being the only member of the large subfamily Aphelininae with four-segmented tarsi. The form of the fore wings and head are also unique in the subfamily, and its status as a new genus is confirmed by analysis of nuclear ribosomal DNA. DNA sequence analysis was undertaken by comparison with more than 60 aphelinid sequences from GenBank. The sequence for the standard DNA barcode region (cytochrome oxidase c subunit I; COI) is provided. The new genus is named in honour of Alfred Russel Wallace, co-discoverer of the theory of evolution by natural selection. The new genus and species are published on the exact date of the centenary of his death.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:700D2B2A-1586-4100-85D2-24844EFE3F90     

A new scale insect host family (Hemiptera: Asterolecaniidae) for Aphytis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) in China

Aphytis wasps are among the most important natural enemies of scale insects, and armoured scale insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) have generally been considered as the only hosts of the genus Aphytis. Host records from non-diaspidids have been considered erroneous by most authors. A new scale insect host, Bambusaspis notabilis (Russell), however, belonging to Asterolecaniidae (Hemiptera), has been found as the host of a new Aphytis species in our field investigations. Aphytis bambusaspis Wang, Huang & Polaszek sp. nov. is described and illustrated, and detailed photographs of the key characters of the female and male of the new species are provided. Type specimens are deposited in Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China and Natural History Museum, London, UK. Previously published host records of Asterolecaniidae are reviewed.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0BE6DB64-CB75-466A-B974-8A620FAFEA1E     

Description of two new Quadrastichus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) reared from Litchiomyia chinensis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on commercial lychee (Litchi chinensis; Sapindaceae) in Taiwan

ABSTRACT

The lychee gall midge, Litchiomyia chinensis Yang and Luo (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), invaded Taiwan in 2008. This fly induces blister-galls on the leaves of lychee, Litchi chinensis Sonn (Sapindaceae), and causes significant yield losses. At present, its natural enemy complex is largely undocumented; thus, the overall aim of ongoing research is to investigate the natural enemies on L. chinensis in different areas and seasons in Taiwan. We describe two species that parasitise this gall midge: Quadrastichus lasallei, sp. n. and Quadrastichus johnlasallei, sp. n. that demonstrate biocontrol potential of this pest.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:A5E93071-D935-4F60-BCF9-225C50389ABF http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:261FC598-03CC-44A1-9379-F665B2DF0AA0     

The species of Astymachus Howard (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), potentially important parasitoids of Aclerdidae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) associated with grasses (Poaceae), with descriptions of three new species

ABSTRACT

Species of Astymachus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) are of potential economic importance as primary parasitoids of aclerdids (Hemiptera: Aclerdidae) on grasses (Poaceae). We review the known species and describe three as new, bringing the total to eight. The species are characterised by means of a dichotomous key, diagnoses and illustrations and their known hosts are summarised.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:324E4AF7-3032-4573-98AC-CABAE316F33E     

The species of Encarsiella Hayat (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) from China

Four species of Encarsiella are recorded from China, including Taiwan, of which two species, E. nepalensis and E. amabilis sp. n. are new records for China. An illustrated key for their identification is provided, including the as yet extralimital species E. boswelli, which is almost certainly present in China, though currently unrecorded.     

Two new species of Clinocentrus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Argentina,with notes on South American species

The Argentine species of the genus Clinocentrus Haliday are revised. Two new species are described, Clinocentrus mamull sp. nov. and Clinocentrus roigi sp. nov., which represent the southernmost records of the genus in South America. Additionally Clinocentrus nigripectus Enderlein is redescribed and a key to known South American species is provided.     

Three new species of Euragallia Oman, 1938 from Brazil (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Agalliinae)

Four new species of Clinotanypus Kieffer, 1913 (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanypodinae) from Brazil are described and figured as male and immatures: Clinotanypus caritus, Clinotanypus gymnos, Clinotanypus setosus and Clinotanypus striatus. Keys to the Neotropical males, pupae and larvae of known species of Clinotanypus are provided. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DAE70C2F-15CA-4B72-9AE5-F601EAD76A7C     

New species of Eretmocerus Haldeman (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) parasitizing Crenidorsum turpiniae (Takahashi) and Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) from Taiwan

A key to females of 11 Eretmocerus species occurring in Taiwan is provided. Two new species, E. tongxiaoensis Shih & Polaszek, sp. nov. and E. lannae Shih & Polaszek, sp. nov. found infesting Crenidorsum turpiniae (Takahashi) and Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell) respectively, are described. Five more Eretmocerus species are recorded here as new to Taiwan: E. bisetae Hayat, E. flavus Krishnan & David, E. queenslandensis Naumann & Schmidt, E. rui Zolnerowich & Rose and E. trialeurodis Hayat. New host records for four of these Eretmocerus species from five whitefly species are presented. The whitefly Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell) is recorded for the first time from Taiwan.     

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     

Four new species of the genus Synosis Townes (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from the eastern Andes of Peru and key for the New World species

Synosis Townes is a widely distributed genus of the family Ichneumonidae; most species recorded occur in the Old World and only two were formerly known to occur in the New World. Herein we describe Synosis rubinus sp. nov., Synosis cosnipatensis sp. nov., Synosis gauldi sp. nov. and Synosis townesi sp. nov. collected in various Peruvian cloud forests. A generic diagnosis and a key to the species occurring in the New World is also presented. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8E5FA67F-F80A-4D78-8E5E-7CC8D6662396     

Taxonomic review of Coccobius species (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) from China,with notes on their use in biological control of scale insect pests (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), and description of a new species

The Chinese species of the genus Coccobius Ratzeburg (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) are reviewed. Sixteen species, C. abdominis Huang, C. annulicornis Ratzeburg, C. azumai Tachikawa, C. chaoi Huang, C. curtifuniculatus Huang, C. flaviceps (Girault & Dodd), C. flavicornis Compere & Annecke, C. fulvus (Compere & Annecke), C. furviflagellatus Huang, C. furvus Huang, C. languidus Huang, C. longialatus Huang, C. longifuniculatus Huang, C. maculatus Huang, C. wuyiensis Huang, and one new species, Coccobius albiscutellum Wang and Huang sp.nov., are treated. A key is provided for the recognition of the females of all Chinese species of Coccobius, and notes are given on their use in biological control of scale insect pests. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F510059B-F176-46BA-B7B5-8252B06BE91F     

Observations of unusual acoustic behaviour in two Australian leafhoppers (Hemiptera; Cicadellidae)

Acoustic substrate‐borne communication between hoppers has been well studied with certain patterns of acoustic behaviour considered typical. We report observations of acoustic behaviour in two Australian leafhoppers, Stenocotis depressa (Walker) and Austrolopa brunensis Evans, that are markedly atypical. Two types of unusual acoustic behaviour were observed: female–female interactions, and the transmission of an elaborate male call through direct physical contact with the female. We discuss the evolution of these acoustic displays based on our observations of these hoppers and their environments, including the potential roles of intra‐sexual competition and the carrying capacity of the plant substrate. The discovery of these unusual behaviour patterns emphasizes the need for broader surveys of the diversity of acoustic behaviour in the Hemiptera.     

A checklist and key to species of the genus Sophonia (Insecta: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae: Nirvaninae) in China with descriptions of two new species

This paper provides a checklist and a key to the 22 Chinese species of the nirvanine leafhopper genus Sophonia Walker. Two new species, Sophonia transvittata sp. nov. and S. yunnanensis sp. nov., are described and illustrated. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China (IEGUC).     

On some Indian species of Aphelinidae,with a description of a new Coccophagus (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea)

Summary

The Philippine cruise of the U.S. Fisheries Steamer Albatross 1907–10 collected 61 species of spider crabs from the Philippine Islands bringing the total number of species known from the area to 71; 28 new species were described by Rathbun and the present report records 19 species not previously known from the area; included are nine widespread Indo-west Pacific forms, four previously known from Japan and four Indian Ocean species.

Hyastenus sebae White is renamed H. whitei and the former name is applied to H. oryx A. Milne Edwards. Hyastenus tuberculosus Rathbun is confirmed as a synonym of H. convexus Miers, Platymaia remifera Rathbun is reduced to synonomy with P. wyvillethomsoni Miers and Chorilia sphenocarcinoides Rathbun is transferred to the genus Sphenocarcinus.

The majority of species (51) occur around the central and southern islands of the archipelago and most of these (35 speciesl occur at varying depths on the continental shelf. Twelve species occur intertidally and 21 species are known from depths over 100 fms, some occurring as deep as 800 fms.

The spider crab fauna is clearly part of the Indo-west Pacific, 25 species being widespread ones; 26 species are shared with Japan, 24 with Australia and 31 with the Indian Ocean. However, 20 species appear to be confined to the Philippine Islands. The relationships of the Philippine fauna with that of the rest of Indonesia is not yet clear     

Three new Mexican species of the endemic Athysanini leafhopper genus Devolana DeLong (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from the tropical dry forest

ABSTRACT

Three new species of the endemic leafhopper genus Devolana are described based from Sierra de Tuxcacuesco (Jalisco), Iguala and Zincauro (Guerrero), Mexico. Overall habitus and genital characteristics are extensively illustrated. A map of the known distribution and habitat images are included. A key to known species of Devolana is provided. The studied area and biodiversity implications for arboreal leafhoppers are discussed.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:AD0A0D58-E4EF-4882-B6DB-6BDA5F8404EA

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:82E285C1-F50D-42A6-BA35-F56BF54631CB

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:ECFF00AE-3E75-4EA3-9FAC-29E418556177     

Two new species and additional distributional records of Acmopolynema Ogloblin (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) from India

Two new species of Acmopolynema Ogloblin (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), Acmopolynema pteron Manickavasagam & Palanivel sp. nov. and Acmopolynema pseudotachikawai Manickavasagam & Palanivel sp. nov., are described from India; a revised key to Indian species of the genus is provided. Acmopolynema shrawastianum Hayat & Anis syn. nov. is synonymized under Acmopolynema indochinense (Soyka); Acmopolynema orchidea Triapitsyn & Berezovskiy is reported from India, and new distributional records of Acmopolynema tachikawai Taguchi from Brunei and India are also given.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3098457A-CA39-49CD-AEF1-19E788C33B78     

A new subgenus of the genus Colastes Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Exothecinae) for species reared from bracket fungi,with description of two new species from Europe

A new Holarctic subgenus (Fungivenator subgen. nov.) of the genus Colastes Haliday, 1833 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Exothecinae) is proposed for a group of species that, as far as is known, has its larvae living on hosts in bracket fungi. The type species (Colastes sandei sp. nov. from Netherlands, Germany and England) and a second species (C. fritzeni sp. nov.) from Finland are described and illustrated. A key to the five known species is included.