Tetrastichinae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) associated with spider egg sacs

Aranobroter rayorae, gen. et sp. n., is described as a gregarious predator of spider eggs within egg sacs of Metepeira incrassata (Araneidae) from Veracruz, Mexico. Baryscapus uetzi, sp. n., is described as an internal parasitoid of A. rayorae. The biology of these two species is discussed. A review of Tetrastichinae associated with spider egg sacs includes new North American records.     

Aphidiinae parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) of Macrosiphoniella aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the western Palaearctic region

The parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) of Macrosiphoniella del Guercio (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from the western Palaearctic region are reviewed and keyed. The host associations and distribution of each species are summarized. Aphidius stigmaticus sp. nov. reared from Macrosiphoniella tanacetaria on Tanacetum polycephalum, which is another member of the Macrosiphoniella aphid parasitoid guild from high-mountain habitats in western Iran, is described in the present contribution. Some taxonomic problems within Macrosiphoniella parasitoid guilds are discussed as well.     

A new species of bethylid wasp (Hymenoptera) from New Zealand,with comments on its life history and host

A new species of parasitoid wasp Chilepyris platythelys (Chrysidoidea: Bethylidae), from New Zealand, is described and illustrated. Its life history is described and its host, an anobiid (Coleoptera) larva, Hadrobregmus (Megabregmus) magnus is mentioned as the first host record for the genus Chilepyris.     

A new parasitoid (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) of the invasive bamboo aphids Takecallis spp. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Western Europe

A long-term survey of tritrophic (plant–aphid–parasitoid) associations in the urban ecosystems of Lleida (Catalonia) and Paris (France) resulted in the detection of associations of two bamboo aphids, Takecallis arundinariae (Essig) and Takecallis taiwanus (Takahashi), respectively, with a new aphid parasitoid species. Trioxys remaudierei Starý & Rakhshani sp. nov. is described and illustrated as a unique parasitoid of Takecallis aphids outside the area of their origin. The new species is easily distinguishable from its congeners in having the ventral prongs of the abdomen fused over two-thirds of their length, then bifurcated towards the tip. The only morphologically similar species is Trioxys betulae (Marshall), which exhibits a clearly different prong shape (and has a different host range, Symydobius Mordvilko and Clethrobius Mordvilko). The new species is compared with allied taxa associated with bamboo aphids. The occurrence of Takecallis taiwanus on bamboo is recorded in France for the first time.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:ED15BA16-E8A9-4CEA-BDA7-FBAB02FEB091     

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.     

Taxonomic review of a new genus,Diathera gen. n., from Southeast Asia (Lepidoptera,Geometridae: Larentiinae)

Diathera gen. n., a new larentiine genus from central and southwestern China, is described. Three new species are named and described: fluctuata sp. n., metacolorata sp. n. and brunneata sp. n. All species and their genitalia are described and illustrated. A key is provided and the monophyly of the genus and its relationships to the allied taxa are briefly discussed.     

Biology and immature stages of Panteles schnetzeanus (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), a parasitoid of Lampronia fuscatella (Lepidoptera: Incurvariidae)

Panteles schnetzeanus (Roman), a parasitoid of the gall‐forming incurvariid moth Lampronia fuscatella (Tengström) and currently placed in the Stilbopinae, is shown to be a solitary koinobiont larval endoparasitoid. The large dark‐pigmented eggs possess a hook‐like tail which is embedded in host tissue, typically at the posterior or anterior end of the host. In cases of superparasitism, which represented 70% of cases, only a single egg hatches. The first instar, prepupa and final larval instar head capsules are described and illustrated. Many differences between the biology of Panteles and of Stilbops are discussed. Circumstantial evidence that suggests that Panteles may have an alternative host is also presented based on the emergence dates for it and the Lampronia together with the size, number and placement of the Panteles eggs. DNA sequence data additionally provide the first record of a eupelmid as attacking a gall‐forming incurvariid/parasitoid system, though it is not clear whether this was an hyperparasitoid on the Panteles or a primary on the incurvariid.     

Insects associated with galls of a new species of Eurytomidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) on Ephedra nebrodensis in Spain

Galls found on Ephedra nebrodensis in Spain are formed by a species of Eurytoma (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Eurytomidae) which is described as new. Four other species of Chalcidoidea (two described as new) and one species of Braconidae are parasitoids or inquilines of the eurytomid. An account is given of the biology of the community of insects associated with the gall.     

LXV.—On an Encyrtid (Leefmansia bicolor,gen. et sp. n.) reared from eggs of Sexava (Orth.) in the Dutch East Indies

Summary

Eleven species of marine mites (Halacaroidea) are recorded from intertidal and subtidal collections made along the coast of California. Four new species Copidognathus spinifer sp. nov., Copidognathus ilsebartschi sp. nov., Agaue variabilis sp. nov., and Halacarus newelli sp. nov. are described. Agaue californica (Hall) is completely redescribed. Agauopsis newelli Krantz and Halacarus magniporus Krantz, new records for California, are diagnozed and described. Agauopsis curvata Krantz is diagnozed and further described. The juvenile stages of Copidognathus curtus Hall are described. The range of Agauopsis filirostris MacQuitty is extended within California. A tabular key to the Californian species of Copidognathus is given. The distribution of the halacaroids in California is compared to that of other fauna.     

On the horns of a dilemma: toward a better understanding of the Monacon species (Hymenoptera: Perilampidae) of Borneo

ABSTRACT

A new species of Monacon is described from Borneo based on digital images, COI sequences and X-ray microtomography. The natural history of this primary parasitoid is documented and its host, a pinhole borer or ambrosia beetle, is documented with digital images and a COI sequence. The X-ray microtomography revealed that the frontal horn that is characteristic of the genus Monacon is not simply a cuticular process, but is associated with tissues, and may have a sensory function.     

African Derbidae (Homoptera,Fulgoroidea): taxonomic notes with descriptions of new species collected mainly from coconut

An annotated list of the African Derbidae described since Synave's 1973 monograph is given, with some corrections and additions to that work together with a revision of the genus Robigus from Africa. The following new species are described: Diostrombus schuilingi sp. nov., D. mkurangai sp. nov., Zorabana vipaku sp. nov., Patara minazi sp. nov., P. chambeziensis sp. nov., Paraphenice mawai, sp. nov., Phenice pongwei sp. nov., Robigus magawai sp. nov., Robigus synavei sp. nov. (= R. tortrinotatus sensu Synave, 1973), Kamendaka ukutu sp. nov. All of these new species with the exception of R. synavei were collected from coconut. The following new synonomies are made: Proutista fritillaris (Boheman) = P. tesselata (Westwood) syn. nov., Diostrombus abdominalis (Distant) = D. moerensis Synave syn. nov., Paraphenice dissimilis Synave = Pamendanga fuscinervis Van Stalle syn. nov., Zoraida fuligipennis Muir = Z. nigeriensis Synave syn. nov., Platocera africana Muir, omitted in error from Synave (1973), is described and figured. Proutista moesta (Westwood) is recorded from Africa for the first time.     

The first twisted-wing parasitoid in Eocene amber from north-eastern China (Strepsiptera: Myrmecolacidae)

An Early Eocene amber twisted-wing parasitoid (Strepsiptera) is described and figured from the Fushun Coalfield in north-eastern China, representing the first record of this order for the Tertiary of Asia and the second extinct genus of Myrmecolacidae. Kronomyrmecolax fushunicus gen. et sp. nov. is represented by a single male which is distinguished from other living and fossil myrmecolacids, particularly Palaeomyrmecolax Kulicka, in middle Eocene Baltic amber. The genera differ in details of hind wing venation and antennal morphology.     

New damselfly hosts and species identification of an aquatic parasitoid Hydrophylita emporos (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in Taiwan

ABSTRACT

The host–parasitoid relationship and species identity of aquatic parasitoids of two damselflies Coeliccia cyanomelas (Platycnemididae) and Psolodesmus mandarinus dorothea (Calopterygidae) from Fushan and Lienhuachih in Taiwan were studied using morphological characters and DNA barcoding sequences. The parasitoids reared from the damselflies’ eggs, and the field-collected parasitoids, were morphologically identified as Hydrophylita emporos (Trichogrammatidae), a recently described parasitoid of the damselfly P. m. mandarinus from Northern Taiwan. The CO1 (cytochrome c oxidase I) gene tree supported the identification as H. emporos, as well as all parasitoid samples from C. cyanomelas, P. m. dorothea and P. m. mandarinus. The sampled H. emporos populations did not differ genetically despite their different host associations. However, some genetic differences were found between H. emporos populations from Northern and Central Taiwan, indicating that the dispersal of H. emporos may be limited by geographical distances. Our results suggest that H. emporos can parasitise not only closely related sister subspecies, P. m. mandarinus and P. m. dorothea, but also phylogenetically distant species of another damselfly family, C. cyanomelas. This is the first record of multiple damselfly hosts for the aquatic parasitoid genus Hydrophylita. This finding implies that the host range of H. emporos and congeneric species may be broader than previously thought.     

Structure of insect community in the fungus Inonotus radiatus in riparian boreal forests

Basidiomes of polypore fungi host many insects. Yet systematic information about insect assemblages from most fungal species is lacking. We studied the insect community associated with the wood-decaying fungus Inonotus radiatus (Sowerby: Fr.) P. Karst. (Hymenochaetales). More specifically, we studied the effect of successional stage and weight of basidiomes, as well as shore exposition (north or south), on species richness and composition, as well as occurrence and abundance of the most abundant fungivores. Basidiomes were collected from riparian forests at five lakes in Sweden. Insects were reared out from the basidiomes in the laboratory. A total of 5645 adult insect individuals of 117 taxa were obtained. Among these, 2782 specimens of 36 taxa use Inonotus radiatus basidiomes as breeding habitat. Eight species of parasitic wasps were new to Sweden. The most abundant fungivore was Ennearthron cornutum (Ciidae), which is a generalist breeding in many polypore species. Based on our material and literature, the melandryid beetles Abdera affinis and A. flexuosa seem to be specialists on the order Hymenochaetales. Other frequent fungivores were Dorcatoma dresdensis (Ptinidae), and the lepidopterans Archinemapogon yildizae, Nemapogon cloacellus and N. picarellus (Tineidae). The parasitoid community associated with the tineid moths was similar to the community associated with the other polypore species in the order Polyporales. In contrast, the parasitoids associated with Dorcatoma (and/or Abdera) were different from the other Polyporales species, suggesting that the fungal host species is more important for these parasitoid species than the beetle host species itself. The most abundant and frequent parasitoids were the braconids Diospilus dispar and Colastes fritzeni, which both parasitise Dorcatoma. Species richness was significantly smaller in fresh than in more decayed basidiomes, but species composition did not differ. There was no difference in species composition or richness between north and south shorelines.     

A new genus with three new species of copepods from the family Diaixidae (Crustacea: Calanoida), and a redefinition of the family

Plankton samples taken in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia, yielded material of a new genus containing 3 new species: Anawekia spinosa gen. nov. et sp. nov., A. robusta sp. nov. and A. bilobata sp. nov., which are described herein. The family Diaixidae now contains 12 described species in 2 genera, 9 being in the genus Diaixis. It is noted that 3 of the Diaixis species (including the type species) share some features which are not shared with the remaining 6 species, and that these latter species should probably be placed into a third genus. An amplified redefinition of the family is given.     

A revision of the genus Metallolophia Warren (Lepidoptera,Geometridae, Geometrinae)

The Geometrine genus Metallolophia is revised. In addition to the 11 species known, five new species are described as new. All the known species are redescribed and lectotypes are designated for M. opalina (Warren), M. arenaria (Leech) and M. danielaria (Oberthür) (=M. arenaria (Leech)). The male of M. ocellata (Warren) and the females of M. medullosa Inoue and M. devecisi Herbulot are described for the first time. The generic characters based on all species are summarized and a key to all taxa is given. Illustrations of moths and genitalia are presented. The new and revised taxa are: Metallolophia purpurivenata sp. nov., Metallolophia cuneataria sp. nov., Metallolophia inanularia sp. nov., Metallolophia flavomaculata sp. nov., Metallolophia stueningi sp. nov. and Metallolophia ostrumaria Xue, syn. nov. (of Metallolophia albescens Inoue).     

Acerophagus artelles sp. nov. (Hymenoptera Chalcidoidea Encyrtidae), a biocontrol agent of Dysmicoccus grassii (Leonardi) (Hemiptera Coccoidea Pseudococcidae) on banana in the Canary Islands (Spain)

Acerophagus artelles sp. nov., an effective parasitoid of Dysmicoccus grassii on banana in the Canary Islands, is described, illustrated and compared with related species. A concise diagnosis and relevant taxonomic notes on the genus Acerophagus are also reported.     

A revision of Tachyphron Brown and description of two new genera within the Ariphron group (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae)

The Australasian genus Tachyphron Brown is revised, and two new New Guinean genera, Deuterothynnus gen. n. and Heligmothynnus gen. n., described. Fifteen species are included in Tachyphron of which seven are described as new (T. aculeatus sp. n., T. athertonensis sp. n., T. mantonensis sp. n., T. neosubfragilis sp. n., T. nigrisetatus sp. n., T. planus sp. n. and T. townsvillensis sp. n.), and a further two, Aelurus comatus Smith and Aelurus fragilis Smith, transferred from Tachynomyia. Thynnus insularis Smith is transferred from Tachynomyia Guérin to Deuterothynnus and a further three new species, D. fulvicentratus sp. n., D. fulvisetatus sp. n. and D. parallelus sp. n. described. Aelurus atratus Cameron and Takyomyia sabronensis Kimsey are transferred from Tachynomyia and Tachyphron, respectively, to Heligmothynnus and a further two new species, H. microspinus sp. n. and H. neoaratus sp. n. described. T. megacephala (Turner) is synonymized with Tachynoides flavopicta (Ritsema) and, therefore, removed from Tachyphron. A key to the Ariphron group of genera is provided, as well as keys to the males of Tachyphron, Deuterothynnus and Heligmothynnus, although the male of D. insularis is associated tentatively with the female holotype only on the basis of collection records. Only the females of D. insularis, T. armidalensis Brown and T. subtriangularus Brown are known, the latter two being described for the first time. Evidence is presented to suggest that T. subtriangularus may be bivoltine in northern Australia.     

Observations on courtship,mating and sexual maturity in Portunus pelagicus (L., 1766) (Crustacea,Portunidae)

Summary

Larvae of Alpheus heterochaelis from North Carolina hatch from large eggs as advanced zoeae, usually moult three times, and exhibit almost no linear growth during a short (4 days at 25°c) larval development. Stage I lasts 6 hours at most and is sometimes skipped; III lasts about twice as long as II. Individuals simultaneously exhibiting characteristics of Stage III and the postlarva were occasionally seen. The three zoeal stages and postlarva are described in detail and illustrated. Stages in embryonic and juvenile development and the hatching process are briefly described.

An ‘extended’ pattern of larval development, characteristic of most alpheid species, is described in a general way, and the ‘abbreviated’ development of A. heterochaelis compared to it. At hatching, A. heterochaelis larvae bear rudimentary pereiopods and pleopods; other structures are at the same level of development in both patterns, but subsequent morphogenesis is faster in A. heterochaelis. Larval development of Synalpheus spp., some of which exhibit extreme abbreviation or direct development, is briefly described with reference to the A. heterochaelis pattern.