Charipinae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae) present in the Museum of Natural History of the University of Wroclaw, with an identification key for Polish species

Charipinae (Cynipoidea: Figitidae) deposited in the Museum of Natural History of Wroclaw University (Poland) have been studied. Seven species are recorded for the first time from Poland: Alloxysta brachyptera (Hartig, 1840), A. castanea (Hartig, 1841), A. citripes (Thomson, 1862), A. consobrina (Zetterstedt, 1838), A. mullensis (Cameron, 1883), A. nottoni Ferrer-Suay & Pujade-Villar, 2015 and Phaenoglyphis heterocera (Hartig, 1841). The presence of previously recorded species is confirmed and new records are specified. A key to all Charipinae species ever recorded in Poland is given.

Intraspecific variation in the morphology of Alloxysta fracticornis (Thomson, 1862)(Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Charipinae)

A new brachypterous form of Alloxysta fracticornis (Thomson, 1862) has been found in the Museum of Natural History of Wroclaw University (Poland). This is the first time that this morphological variation has been recorded for A. fracticornis. The morphological features of this new form match with this species, except for the wing length, which is characteristic of the brachypterous form, and the colour. COI sequences and phylogenetic analysis for the specimens studied (macropterous and brachypterous) confirm that the two morphologies belong to the same species, as we suspected a priori. Thus, in this study we show evidence of morphological variation in A. fracticornis, and demonstrate the v…

What is Alloxysta fulviceps (Curtis, 1838) (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea:Figitidae: Charipinae)?

Pujade-Villar, J., Ferrer-Suay, M., Selfa, J. and Alonso-Zarazaga, M.A. 2011. What is Alloxysta fulviceps (Curtis, 1838) (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae: Charipinae)?. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 68: 67–70. The validity of Alloxysta fulviceps (Curtis, 1838) and its synonymies have been examined. After studying the type series and the taxonomic history of this species, we conclude that the lectotype was wrongly designated. A new lectotype is designated and A. fulviceps is synonymised with A. victrix (Westwood, 1833).

Phylogeny of the parasitic wasp subfamily Charipinae (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae)

The Charipinae are a major group of hyperparasitoids of Hemiptera. Here, we present the first cladistic analysis of this subfamily's internal relationships, based on 96 morphological characters of adults. The data matrix was analysed using uniformly weighted parsimony. The effects of using alternative weighting schemes were explored by performing additional searches employing implied weights criteria. One of the caveats of implied weights analysis is that it lacks an objective criterion for selecting the value of the concavity function. In the present study, differential weighting was used to explore the sensitivity of our results to the alternative assumptions made in the analysis and to s…

New Charipinae ( Hymenoptera : Cynipoidea : Figitidae ) records from China

Abstract Charipinae material collected from different provinces of China has been studied. Twenty-one previously described species have been identified: Alloxysta arcuata, A. brevis , A. carinata , A. castanea , A. consobrina , A. fracticornis , A. leunisii , A. macrophadna , A. mullensis , A. obscurata , A. paretasmartinezi , A. pilipennis , A. pilosa , A. postica , A. sawoniewiczi , A. victrix , A. xanthopa , Dilyta subclavata , Phaenoglyphis chinensis , P. heterocera and P. villosa . All species, except for P. chinensis and P. villosa , are here recorded for the first time from China. Diagnosis, material studied and distribution are given for each species. Plates with the diagnostic morp…

First Host Record forAcanthaegilips(Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Anacharitinae) and Description of a New Species From Venezuela

A new Acanthaegilips species from Venezuela is described, i.e., Acanthaegilips notiobiellus sp. nov. Diagnostic characters of the new species and data about its biology, distribution and morphological variability are presented. We report here the first known host of Acanthaegilips as Notiobiella cixiiformis (Gerstaecker, 1888) (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae).

Three new species of Anacharis Dalman, 1823 (Hymenoptera: Figitidae), with revised taxonomy and distribution records of Palaearctic and Indomalayan species

An update of the current knowledge of Anacharis Dalman, 1823 for the Palaearctic and Indomalayan regions is given. The previously known Palaearctic species Anacharis antennata Belizin, 1951, Anacharis eucharoides (Dalman, 1818), Anacharis immunis Walker, 1835 and Anacharis parapsidalis Belizin, 1951 are redescribed. Three new species are described: Anacharis fergussoni sp. nov. from Europe, Anacharis norvegica sp. nov. from Norway and Anacharis belizini sp. nov. from Thailand, the first recorded Indomalayan species for the genus. Anacharis gracilipes Ionescu, 1969, is synonymized with A. eucharoides , while Anacharis flavidicornis Kieffer, 1910 is transferred to the genus Aegilips Haliday, …

Preliminary study on the biology, natural enemies and chemical control of the invasive Macrohomotoma gladiata (Kuwayama) on urban Ficus microcarpa L. trees in Valencia (SE Spain)

[EN] The phenology and natural enemies of Macrohomotoma gladiata (Kuwayama) (Hemiptera. Homotomidae) on Ficus microcarpa L. in Valencia (Spain) were studied in 2013. During the study, all immature instars of the pest were found on infested shoots indicating overlapping generations. However, two consistent increases in the proportion of the first two nymphal instars were detected in early March and June, possibly suggesting the beginning of spring and summer generations. Eggs of Macrohomotoma gladiata were usually found below the stipules of new healthy shoots, arranged in groups of 15-30 units. First two nymphal instars usually preferred the innermost part of the shoot, whereas the older de…

Nota preliminar sobre la distribución de <i>Graellsia isabellae</i> (Graells, 1849) (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae) en la Provincia de Valencia

Revision of the types of species of Alloxysta described by Cameron and Fergusson (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Charipinae) and deposited in the Natural History Museum (London), including a key to the fauna of Great Britain

Type material of the species of Alloxysta described by Cameron and Fergusson and deposited in the Natural History Museum of London has been revised. Seven species are considered valid: Alloxysta abdera Fergusson, 1986, A. basimacula (Cameron, 1886), A. crassa (Cameron, 1889), A. mullensis (Cameron, 1883), A. piceomaculata (Cameron, 1883), A. pleuralis (Cameron, 1879) and A. semiaperta Fergusson, 1986. A. basimacula, A. crassa, A. maculicollis (Cameron, 1886), A. perplexa (Cameron, 1889) and A. piceomaculata are here removed from synonymy with A. macrophadna (Hartig,1841). A. ruficeps (Cameron, 1883) is removed from synonymy with A. victrix (Westwood, 1833). A. caledonica (Cameron, 1886) and…

Where to Spend the Winter in Serra Da Estrela? the First Record ofDiphyus quadripunctorius(Mueller, 1776) Overwintering in a Subterranean Habitat in Portugal

Abeilles et plantes cultivées en Espagne : actualisation des données pour le melon, la pastèque et l’amandier

[EN] Pollinators of most of the plants cultivated in the Mediterranean regions of Europe are still unknown. We provide new data and we review previously available information on bees (Apoidea) associated with three economically important crops in Spain: melon (Cucumis melo L.), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) and almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb). We found that, overall, 98 bee species spanning four families visit flowers of the studied crop species, and 46 additional species were sampled within the crops with pan-traps. The bee assemblages visiting melon include 7–33 species, with moderate to high importance of small Lasioglossum (Halictidae) and of honey bee …

A new Diplura species from Georgia caves, Plusiocampa (Plusiocampa) imereti (Diplura, Campodeidae), with morphological and molecular data

A new dipluran species, Plusiocampa (Plusiocampa) imereti Sendra & Barjadze sp. nov., from the deep zone in three caves in the Imereti region, Georgia, is described. This new troglobitic Plusiocampa is an addition to four others known Diplura from around the Black Sea region, two Dydimocampa and two Plusiocampa s. str. The present study also provides the first CO1 sequences for the Plusiocampinae taxa and the first molecular data for cave-dwelling Plusiocampa species. Although bootstrap values were low, the maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree grouped Plusiocampa (P.) imereti Sendra & Barjadze sp. nov. with two Plusiocampa s. str. species from Eastern Europe. Morphologically, P. (P.…

Dialipsis villahermosaeHumala & Selfa n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), the second European species of the genus, with biological notes and a key of Palaearctic species

Abstract The small genus Dialipsis Forster 1869 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) includes two known species, of which one is common in Central and Northern Europe. Here we describe the male and female of a new species, Dialipsis villahermosae Humala & Selfa, which was reared from mushrooms collected in Eastern Spain. The host fungus gnat, Mycetophila blanda Winnertz, is a new record for the whole genus, while the rate of parasitism seems very low. Based on environmental data of the collection localities and data available for other two species it is suggested that Dialipsis species occur preferably in cool temperatures habitats. A key of identification of the two known Palaearctic species is pr…

Postembryonic development of the troglobitic planthopper species Valenciolenda fadaforesta Hoch & Sendra, 2021 (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Kinnaridae), with a key to nymphal instars

All nymphal instars of the recently discovered troglobitic planthopper species Valenciolenda fadaforesta Hoch & Sendra, 2021 are described. This represents the first documentation of the complete postembryonic development of any species in the family Kinnaridae. Characters of the external morphology are described and illustrated, and a key to the instars are provided to facilitate discrimination among the different nymphal stages. While V. fadaforesta nymphs share certain synapomorphies with other Fulgoromorpha (except the Tettigometridae), e.g., the cog-wheel structures of the metatrochanters, other characters may be correlated with the subterranean way of life of the species, and thus…

Revision of V.I. Belizin’s type material of Alloxysta (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Charipinae) deposited in the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences

A revision of the type material of species of the genus Alloxysta described by V.I. Belizin deposited in the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences is provided. Six Alloxysta species were studied, three of which are valid: A. aurata Belizin, 1968, A. proxima Belizin, 1962, and A. salicicola Belizin, 1973. Valid species are completely re-described and their diagnostic characters are illustrated. Three remaining species are synonymised with other species of this genus: Alloxysta brevicella Belizin, 1966 with A. citripes (Thomson, 1862), A. capillata Belizin, 1962 with A. castanea (Hartig, 1841), and A. contineus (Belizin, 1962) with A. victrix (Westwood, 1833). The characters…

Current knowledge of the subfamily Anacharitinae (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) in the Australasian region

A revision of the Anacharitinae material from Australia and New Zealand deposited in the Natural History Museum of London and material from Papua New Guinea deposited in the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle of Paris was conducted. The ranges of the previously known described Anacharis zealandica Ashmead and Xyalaspis victoriensis New are expanded. A new Australasian species of Anacharis Dalman, Anacharis tasmaniae sp. nov., is described, and the genus Aegilips Haliday is cited for the first time in the region, with the description of Aegilips papuensis sp. nov. The biology and distribution patterns of Australa- sian anacharitines are discussed.

Primeros datos del parasitismo de <i>Ooencyrtus pityocampae</i> (Mercet, 1921) sobre <i>Graellsia isabelae</i> (Graells, 1849) en condiciones de laboratorio

Description of new Alloxysta (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae) species from India

Abstract One new species has been discovered: Alloxysta nottoni Ferrer-Suay & Pujade-Villar sp. nov. This new species is here described and illustrated. An update of the Charipinae knowledge in India and a key of the Charipinae present in this country are also given.

Female–female attraction influences nest establishment in the digger wasp Stizus continuus (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae)

Although digger wasps are good models for the study of nest site selection, the behaviour of females in relation to time of nest establishment has rarely been considered despite this being the key to discrimination between substrate availability-based and a female attraction-based selection. We carried out a study on nest establishment by the digger wasp Stizus continuus (Klug), giving to all nests dug by the wasps both spatial (nearest neighbour distance to nests, proximity of vegetation, soil hardness) and temporal (day of excavation) attributes. Stizus continuus females dug more nests under bush edges, where the soil was much softer. There was no tendency for females to maximize distance…

Palaearctic species of Charipinae (Hymenoptera, Figitidae): two new species, synthesis and identification key

The Charipinae Dalla Torre & Kieffer, 1910 present in the Palaearctic region are revised; 2410 specimens have been identified, belonging to 75 species: 52 to Alloxysta, one to Apocharips, six to Dilyta and 16 to Phaenoglyphis. For 33 species, new country-level distribution records are provided. Two new species are here described: Alloxysta palearctica Ferrer-Suay & Pujade-Villar sp. nov. and Alloxysta pascuali Ferrer-Suay sp. nov. A diagnosis for these species is included and their diagnostic features are shown in different figures. A key to identify all the species of Charipinae in the Palaearctic region is also given.

Two new records of Alloxysta (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae: Charipinae) from Colombia

The Charipinae from Colombia has been recently studied. Nine Charipinae species are known to be present in this country: Alloxysta arcuata (Kieffer, 1902), Alloxysta castanea (Hartig, 1841), Alloxysta consobrina (Zetterstedt, 1838), Alloxysta hansoni Pujade-Villar, 2011, Alloxysta obscurata (Hartig, 1840), Alloxysta medinae Ferrer-Suay & Pujade-Villar, 2012, Alloxysta pilipennis (Hartig, 1840), Alloxysta torresi Ferrer-Suay & Pujade-Villar, 2012 and Phaenoglyphis villosa (Hartig, 1841). Here more Charipinae material has been studied from collections made with Malaise traps by the Humboldt Institute in several places of Colombia. In this study, two species are recorded for the first …

Emergence and dispersal relative to natal nest in the digger wasp Stizus continuus (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae).

The position of the emerging point has rarely been investigated as a factor possibly affecting the future nest settlement behaviour in Hymenoptera, in particular within nest aggregations. We studied the emergence and dispersion patterns of the digger wasp Stizus continuus. Individuals emerged daily in clumped patterns, possibly revealing a certain synchrony of emergence from the same nests, and protandry appeared both at seasonal and daily level. Differences between the number of females that nested relatively close or far from their emergence holes (EH) were either significant or not, depending on the year, and observed dispersal distances from the natal nests did not differ from those obt…

Description of Two New Species of Anacharitinae (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) from the Afrotropical Region

An revision of current knowledge on subfamily Anacharitinae for the Afrotropical Region is given. Two new species are described: Acanthaegilopsis hemicoriaceus Mata-Casanova & Pujade-Villar sp. n. and Xyalaspis subsaharica Mata-Casanova & Pujade-Villar sp. n. Diagnostic characters are illustrated and data about biology, distribution and morphological variability are discussed.

Diversity, ecology, distribution and biogeography of Diplura

1. Diplura is the sister group to insects and one of the three basal hexapod groups with unique entognathan mouthparts. The order is divided into 10 families, which include 1008 species in 141 genera, with a high proportion of monotypic genera. They are ubiquitous in soils and subsurface terrestrial habitats, as well as have an important role in overall biogeochemical cycles. 2. We present the first comprehensive review of the global biodiversity and ecology of Diplura. We highlight four aspects of this basal hexapod group: diversity in morpho logical body plans and sizes; ecology in terrestrial environments from soil to caves; food preference and trophic levels, and their biogeographical a…

Brachyptery analysis in Alloxysta (Hymenoptera: Figitidae): Synonymy of A. curta Ferrer-Suay and Pujade Villar as the brachypterou of A. ramulifera (Thomson) in the nearctics male

Eight brachypterous species have been described within the hymenopteran genus Alloxysta. Intraspecific wing polymorphism linked to sex has been previously hypothesized within this genus and the aim of this work was to confirm whether the phylogenetic relationships based on morphological characters between brachypterous and macropterous species are correct using molecular analyses. This study used material collected from Minnesota (USA), with 278 specimens identified as Alloxysta brachyptera (Hartig, 1840), A. curta Ferrer-Suay and Pujade-Villar, 2017 (Ferrer-suay et al. 2017), A. brevis (Thomson, 1862), or A. ramulifera (Thomson, 1862). Twenty-three of these specimens were subjected to sequ…

Small sweat bees (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) as potential major pollinators of melon (Cucumis melo) in the Mediterranean

In the current scenario of a general decline of the honeybee worldwide, studies on the potential of alternative bee species in pollinating cultivated plants are important. Although melon, Cucumis melo, is a crop with great commercial importance, there is very little information on its pollinating fauna in Europe, and none from the southern Mediterranean area. In a locality in central Spain, using both pan-traps and net collections, we found that melon flowers are visited by 31 species of bees spanning four families, though only four were both dominant and constant. These four species belonged to the family Halictidae (sweat bees) and mostly (three species) to the genus Lasioglossum. Five ot…

Taxonomic and synonymic world catalogue of the Charipinae and notes about this subfamily (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae)

The Charipinae (Cynipoidea: Figitidae) are a small group of Hymenoptera biologically characterized as being secondary parasitoids of aphids and psyllids (Hemiptera) (Menke & Evenhuis, 1991).  A total of 281 species of Charipinae have been described since the first species was described by Westwood (1833) (including two fossils, one of them recently transferred in a new family, Protimaspidae). An updated world catalogue of the Charipinae is presented here, with 168 valid species: 111 included in Alloxysta Förster, 31 in Phaenoglyphis Förster, 13 in Dilyta Förster, 5 in Apocharips Fergusson, 4 in Thoreauana Girault, and 1 in Dilapothor Paretas-Martínez & Pujade-Villar, Lobopterocharip…

Campodeidae (Hexapoda: Diplura) from Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, with the description of a remarkable new genus and species

Samples collected in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, have revealed a hitherto unknown diversity of Campodeidae (Diplura) in soil and cave habitats, including a new genus and species, Kyrgyzstancampa sanare Sendra & Ferreira gen. et sp. nov., Turkmenocampa edaphica Sendra & Sánchez-García sp. nov. and a previously recognized soil-dwelling species, Campodea (Dicampa) catalana Denis, 1930. Kyrgyzstancampa sanare Sendra & Ferreira gen. et sp. nov. was collected in the deep zone of an interesting geological and cultural cave, Ak-Turpak Cave, located near the western margin of Kadamjay District, Batken Province. This genus belongs to the subfamily Campodeinae, sharing the morphology of the …

Charipinae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae) from Mexico with Description of Three New Species

Abstract Charipinae collected in different regions of Mexico have been studied. Twelve species are cited for the first time: Alloxysta arcuata (Kieffer, 1902), Alloxysta brevis (Thomson, 1862), Alloxysta castanea (Hartig, 1841), Alloxysta fuscicornis (Hartig, 1841), Alloxysta mullensis (Cameron, 1883) ; Alloxysta victrix (Westwood, 1833 ); Phaenoglyphis americanaBaker, 1896; Phaenoglyphis calvertiAndrews, 1978; Phaenoglyphis falcataAndrews, 1978; Phaenoglyphis stenosAndrews, 1978; Phaenoglyphis stricta (Thomson, 1877); and Phaenoglyphis villosa (Hartig, 1841). Three new species are described: Alloxysta evenhuisi Ferrer-Suay & Pujade-Villar n. sp., Alloxysta mexicana Ferrer-Suay & Pu…

Winter feeding leads to a shifted phenology in the browntail moth Euproctis chrysorrhoea on the evergreen strawberry tree Arbutus unedo

1 The browntail moth Euproctis chrysorrhoea is a highly polyphagous univoltine forest pest. Although its young larvae usually overwinter in diapause from early autumn to the beginning of spring, winter larval feeding has been reported when this species feeds on the evergreen woody shrub strawberry tree Arbutus unedo. 2 The present study investigated life-history traits of four populations of E. chrysorrhoea feeding on A. unedo, including phenology of the different life stages, larval feeding activity and diapause incidence. By modelling the relationship between larval size and host plant leaf persistence, elevation and mean annual temperature, we also studied larval development in ten popul…

A review of the subfamily Charipinae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae), hyperparasitoids potentially affecting the biological control of aphids

Charipinae is an important subfamily of aphid hyperparasitoids. As aphids are some of the most significant pests in the world, studying the insect community associated with them is of crucial importance. Here, we review the biological information available on Charipinae. The information has been grouped into different sections: (a) historical background; (b) morphological and ecological features; (c) phylogenetic relationships; (d) overview of aphid biology and biological control; (e) evolutionary history; and (f) future perspectives. After this review, it is evident that there are still some aspects of charipine taxonomy and biology that remain elusive: (a) reliability and improvement of h…

Diversity of subfamily Anacharitinae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae) in China with description of a new species of Xyalaspis Hartig, 1843

Abstract The poorly known Anacharitinae fauna from China is studied. Two species of genus Aegilips Haliday, 1835 (which only had one species previously recorded there) are recorded in China. The genera Anacharis Dalman, 1823 and Xyalaspis Hartig, 1843 are recorded for the first time with two and four species present respectively. A new species of Xyalaspis, X. ribesi sp. n., is described. Diagnostic characters of the new species are illustrated, and data about biology, distribution and morphological variability of the Chinese Anacharitinae are discussed.

Review of the Hartig type collection of Alloxysta (Hymenoptera: Figitidae:Charipinae) and other Alloxysta material deposited in the Zoologische Staatssammlung Museum (Munich)

Hartig's collection of Alloxysta species, deposited in the Zoologische Staatssammlung Museum (ZSM, Munich, Germany), is here reviewed. In total, 19 species and 144 specimens have been studied. Fourteen species, of the previous twenty-two, are now valid: Alloxysta aperta (Hartig, 1841), A. brachyptera (Hartig, 1840), A. castanea (Hartig, 1841), A. circumscripta (Hartig, 1841), A. fuscicornis (Hartig, 1841), A. leunisii (Hartig, 1841), A. longipennis (Hartig, 1841), A. macrophadna (Hartig, 1841), A. melanogaster (Hartig, 1840), A. obscurata (Hartig, 1840), A. pilipennis (Hartig, 1840), A. postica (Hartig, 1841), A. minuta (Hartig, 1840) and A. rufiventris (Hartig, 1840). These species are red…

Species composition and richness of aphid parasitoid wasps in cotton fields in northern China

AbstractThe cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a serious pest of cotton across the globe, particularly in the cotton agroecosystems of northern China. Parasitic wasps are deemed to be important natural enemies of A. gossypii, but limited information exists about their species composition, richness and seasonal dynamics in northern China. In this study, we combine sampling over a broad geographical area with intensive field trials over the course of three cropping seasons to describe parasitoid-hyperparasitoid communities in cotton crops. We delineate a speciose complex of primary parasitoids and hyperparasitoids associated with A. gossypii. Over 90% of the primary paras…

Charipinae fauna from New Zealand with descriptions of two new species ofAlloxystaFörster (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae: Charipinae)

Biologically, New Zealand is an important country for its high levels of endemism. However, the recorded fauna of Charipinae in this country included only three cosmopolitan species: Alloxysta fuscicornis (Hartig), Alloxysta victrix (Westwood) and Phaenoglyphis villosa (Hartig). Here, we describe the first endemic charipines for New Zealand: Alloxysta rubidus n. sp. and Alloxysta thorpei n. sp. This significantly increases the knowledge of cynipoid diversity in Australasia, where this hymenopteran group is very poorly known. The new species are diagnosed, described, illustrated and information about their hosts and distribution is given. Characters useful to distinguish these species are di…

Description of Two New Species ofAnacharisDalman, 1823 (Hymenoptera: Figitidae, Anacharitinae) from the Afrotropical Region

Two new species of Anacharis Dalman, 1823 from the Afrotropical Region are described: Anacharis afrotropica sp. n. and Anacharis rwenzori sp. n. Diagnostic characters and data about biology, distribution and affinities with other Anacharis species are given.

A New Species ofTelenomusHaliday (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) Associated with Egg Batches of the Pine Processionary Moth,Thaumetopoea pityocampa(Dennis et Schiffermüller, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), from Peninsular Spain

Telenomus thaumetopoeae Buhl sp. n. is described from northeastern València (Peninsular Spain) taking as starting point females parasitizing the egg-batches of the Pine Processionary Moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Dennis et Schiffermüller, 1775). Its morphological affinities with the most closely related species and parasitism data are offered.

Providing insights into browntail moth local outbreaks by combining life table data and semi-parametric statistics

1. Life table studies have been an essential tool for the comprehension of insect population dynamics, although their use has been methodologically biased by a primary focus on mortality factors, especially natural enemies. Thus, studies in natural populations may relegate important mortality sources to the ‘unknown’ or ‘residual’ mortality categories. To overcome this limitation, life tables may be complemented by combining them with other approaches. 2. The aim of the present study was to provide insights into browntail moth Euproctis chrysorrhoea L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) local outbreaks by combining life table data and statistical modelling. First, E. chrysorrhoea population densit…

Revision of the Holarctic species of Dilyta Förster (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Charipinae) with descriptions of four new species from the eastern Palaearctic

The genus Dilyta, and the known species of this genus present in the Holarctic, D. subclavata Forster from Europe and D. rathmanae Menke and Evenhuis from USA, are redescribed. Four new species of Dilyta are described from the eastern Palaearctic region: D. aleevae sp. n. from Kazakhstan, D. japonica sp. n. from Japan, and D. longinqua sp. n. and D. sinica sp. n. from China. All six species have an ∩ -shaped carina on the apex of the scutellum; this character differentiates these species from the Afrotropical species, which instead have two small symmetrical and parallel carinae. A key to the species of Dilyta in the Holarctic is provided. Apocharips talitzkii (Belizin) is synonymyzed with …

First Record ofAlloxystaFörster from Madagascar, with Descriptions of Two New Species (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae: Charipinae)

The genus Alloxysta is recorded for the first time from Madagascar, with the description of two new species: Alloxysta antananarivoi Ferrer-Suay & Pujade-Villar sp. n. and Alloxysta antsirananae Ferrer-Suay & Pujade-Villar sp. n. Their morphological features and diagnostic characters are discussed and illustrated. This is the second genus of the subfamily Charipinae recorded from Madagascar.

Qualitative Analysis of Aphid and Primary Parasitoid Trophic Relations of Genus <I>Alloxysta</I> (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae: Charipinae)

Charipinae hyperparasitoids affect effectiveness of the primary parasitoids of aphids by decreasing their abundance and modifying their behavior. As a result, increase of aphid populations can cause severe yield losses in some crops. Therefore, ecological studies on the subfamily Charipinae have a great economical and biological importance. Host specificity of these hyperparasitoids is still under debate and for many Charipinae species very little is known about their trophic relations. Here, we give a comprehensive overview of the trophic relationships between the Charipinae species of the genus Alloxysta Forster and their aphid and primary parasitoids hosts, worldwide. Within this subfami…

Charipinae Dalla Torre & Kieffer, 1910 (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae) from the Mercantour National Park (Alpes-Maritimes, France), with descriptions of three new species

ABSTRACT Charipinae Dalla Torre & Kieffer, 1910 material collected during the ATBI of the Mercantour National Park in the Alpes-Maritimes (France) has been studied. Based on the study of 362 specimens, 35 species in four genera have been identified from: 23 Alloxysta Forster, 1869; 10 Phaenoglyphis Forster, 1869; one Apocharips Fergusson, 1986 and one Dilyta Forster, 1869. Of these, 19 species are recorded from France for the first time: Alloxysta abdera Fergusson, 1986; Alloxysta arcuata (Kieffer, 1902); Alloxysta brachycera Hellen, 1963; Alloxysta brevis (Thomson, 1962); Alloxysta fracticornis (Thomson, 1862); Alloxysta mullensis (Cameron, 1883); Alloxysta pilipennis (Hartig, 1840); Allox…

Asian cave-adapted diplurans, with the description of two new genera and four new species (Arthropoda, Hexapoda, Entognatha)

Twenty-nine specimens of Diplura collected from eight caves in China and Myanmar contain two new genera, Hubeicampa Sendra & Lips gen. nov. and Mueggejapyx Sendra & Komerički gen. nov., as well as four new species, Anisuracampa ywangana Sendra & Komerički sp. nov., Hubeicampa melissa Sendra & Lips gen. et sp. nov., Pacificampa wudonghuii Sendra sp. nov. and Mueggejapyx brehieri Sendra & Komerički gen. et sp. nov. These cave-adapted taxa showcase an impressive diversity in morphological adaptation (troglomorphy) to cave ecosystems. Their sensorial equipment, setae and receptors in the cupuliform organ have unique forms (H. melissa gen. et sp. nov.), as well as the pretars…

Early exposure to predation risk carries over metamorphosis in two distantly related freshwater insects

1. Predation and competition play a central role in ecological communities, and it is increasingly recognised that animals use early warning cues to reduce the impact of these antagonistic interactions. 2. Strategies to avoid risk can occur during embryo development through plasticity in egg hatching time. This strategy, and its associated costs and carryover effects on adults are little understood in insects. In this study, these are explored in two distantly related freshwater insects: the damselfly Ischnura elegans and the mosquito Aedes albopictus. 3. As predicted, damselfly eggs hatched earlier in response to larval predators cues, a treatment that also affected adult size. Risk cues d…

Las hormigas (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) asociadas a pulgones (Hemiptera, Aphididae) en la provincia de Valencia

Twenty-six species of ants associated with aphids, belonging to twelve genera, are collected. Three subfamilies are identified, being the Formicinae the more represented about number of samples, genera and species. On the other hand, <i>Lasius niger</i> has been the species that is found with a more number of aphids (fifty eight species), and it seems to be the ant with a more capacity to establish associations with the different species of aphids. 224 different associations between the ants and the aphids are established and 164 of them are not recorded in the bibliography consulted for Spain.<br><br>Se han recogido veintiséis especies de hormigas asociadas a pulgon…

Revision of the Eurasian species of Aegilips Haliday, 1835 (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Anacharitinae)

The knowledge of Aegilips in Eurasia is updated. One new species is described: Aegilips insularis Mata-Casanova and Pujade-Villar sp. nov., from Portugal (Madeira). The genus is also cited for the first time in the Indomalayan region with specimens of A. atricornis found in Northern India and Pakistan. Aegilips curvipes Giraud, 1860, Aegilips gemellus Belizin, 1961, Aegilips laevis (Hedicke, 1914), Aegilips montanus Belizin, 1951 and Aegilips punctatus Belizin, 1951 are synonymized with A. nitidulus (Dalman, 1823). Aegilips vena Fergusson, 1985 is synonymized with Aegilips zaitzevi Kovalev, 1974. Aegilips notatus Belizin, 1951, and Aegilips punctulatus Hedicke, 1928 are designated as incert…

Age and size thresholds for pupation and developmental polymorphism in the browntail moth, Euproctis chrysorrhoea (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), under conditions that either emulate diapause or prevent it.

Size and age thresholds for pupation are important life history traits of insects. They are the ultimate consequences of the underlying physiological mechanism that optimize resource allocation. Such thresholds may have a plastic response under time-varying environmental conditions, developmental polymorphism (i.e., plasticity in the number of instars before pupation) being a common strategy adopted by insects to overcome this challenging situation. In this study, we systematically explore the variables related with both age and size thresholds for pupation and developmental polymorphism in the browntail moth, Euproctis chrysorrhoea (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), by rearing a group of caterpi…

Worldwide revision of the genus Phaenoglyphis (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae, Charipinae)

A complete revision of the world species of the genus Phaenoglyphis Förster, 1869 has been conducted. A total of 25 species of Phaenoglyphis are valid after studying their type material. Two new species are described: Phaenoglyphis belizini sp. n. and Phaenoglyphis palmirae sp. n. Two species are synonymized: P. dolichocera (Cameron, 1889) with P. nigripes (Thomson, 1877) and P. pecki Andrews, 1978 with P. villosa (Hartig, 1841). Phaenoglyphis bangalorensis Kurian, 1953 was considered as incertae sedis. Phaenoglyphis duplocarpentieri (Kieffer, 1904) and P. hedickei Hedicke, 1928 are considered lost. Other three species are discarded as valid species because they are missing important parts …

Revision of the Asian species of genus Xyalaspis Hartig, 1843 (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Anacharitinae)

A revision of genus Xyalaspis (Hymenoptera: Anacharitinae) in Asia is given. Xyalaspis lituricis Belizin, 1965 is synonymized with Xyalaspis hyalina Belizin, 1951. Four new species are described: Xyalaspis esbelta n. sp., Xyalaspis dimorphica n. sp., Xyalaspis orientalis n. sp., and Xyalaspis siamensis n. sp. Diagnostic characters are illustrated and data about biology, distribution and morphological variability of the studied species are discussed. A key to the Asian species of this genus is included.

Where to Spend the Winter in Serra Da Estrela? the First Record ofDiphyus quadripunctorius(Mueller, 1776) Overwintering in a Cave Habitat in Portugal: Corrected Figure

Review of the Neotropical Charipinae (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae)

A review of the Neotropical Charipinae is given, with 35 species from four genera: Alloxysta, Apocharips, Dilyta and Phaenoglyphis. One new species, Alloxysta centroamericana Ferrer-Suay & Pujade-Villar sp. nov. is described; six Alloxysta species, Alloxysta citripes (Thomson, 1862), Alloxysta fracticornis (Thomson, 1862), Alloxysta melanogaster (Hartig, 1841), Alloxysta piceomaculata (Cameron, 1886), Alloxysta postica (Hartig, 1841) and Alloxysta pusilla (Kieffer, 1902), are recorded for the first time from the Neotropical region; 10 new records for earlier known species are also given. Diagnoses and a key to all species are also provided.

The Alloxysta (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Charipinae) type material in the United States National Museum of Natural History and the Canadian National Collection of Insects

AbstractAlloxysta Förster, 1869 (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) type material of 19 nominal species deposited in the Canadian National Collection of Insects (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) and the United States National Museum of Natural History (Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America) were studied. Nine species are treated as valid: A. australiae (Ashmead, 1900), A. commensuratus Andrews, 1978, A. japonicus (Ashmead, 1904), A. lachni (Ashmead, 1885), A. longiventris Baker, 1896, A. minuscula Andrews, 1978, A. nothofagi Andrews, 1976, A. vandenboschi Andrews, 1978, and A. xanthopsis (Ashmead, 1896). The following synonymies are established: A. affinis (Baker, 1896) and A. quebeci And…

Description of the final instar of Trichomalopsis peregrina (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae), with data and comments on the preimaginal stages

The preimaginal stages of T. peregrina are described. The egg displays a sculptured chorion, which is found only on those deposited externally. The immature larvae are characterized by their peculiarities in (a) a setose ring on the thoracic and abdominal segments, (b) an anal notch and (c) size and the sensory structures of the head capsule. The final instar is described and illustrated. Morphological structures of diagnostic value are discussed. The most salient character shown by the mature larva of this species lies in the epistoma, which is complete. Resumen. Se describen las fases de huevo y larva de T. peregrina . El huevo, como es característico en los que se depositan externamente,…

Revision of the genusXyalaspisHartig, 1843 (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Anacharitinae) in the Western Palaearctic

ABSTRACT A revision of Xyalaspis Hartig, 1843 (Hymenoptera: Anacharitinae) in the Western Palaearctic region is given. Xyalaspis spinigera Reinhard, 1860 and Xyalaspis subulifera (Thomson, 1862) are synonymized with Xyalaspis laevigata Hartig, 1843 and Xyalaspis rugosa Hartig, 1843 respectively, and their distribution areas are extended. A new species Xyalaspis pseudolaevigata n. sp. is described from France. One species previously assigned to the genus Xyalaspis, X. laevis (Hedicke, 1914), is transferred to Aegilips Haliday, 1835. Diagnostic characters are illustrated and data about biology, distribution and morphological variability of the studied species are presented and discussed. A ke…

Food load manipulation ability shapes flight morphology in females of central-place foraging Hymenoptera

Received: 19 March 2013.- Accepted: 20 June 2013.- Published: 28 June 2013

Cave-adapted campodeids (Hexapoda, Diplura, Campodeidae) from the Dinarides and adjacent karst regions

Five new species are described, Plusiocampa (Didymocampa) cvijici Sendra & Antić, sp. nov., Plusiocampa (Plusiocampa) atom Sendra & Antić, sp. nov., Plusiocampa (Stygiocampa) barethae Sendra & Rađa, sp. nov., Plusiocampa (Stygiocampa) dulcici Sendra & Rađa, sp. nov. and Plusiocampa (Venetocampa) pirnati Sendra & Borko, sp. nov. This brings the number of cave-adapted species of campodeids known from the Dinarides, Eastern Alps, Balkan System and Rodope Massif to 28 (one species in the genus Campodea and 27 in Plusiocampa). Among Plusiocampa, four out of five subgenera are present (Pentachaetocampa is not present in the region studied): Didymocampa (one species), Plusiocampa s. str. (15 speci…

First Records, New Species, and a Key of the Charipinae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae) from the Nearctic Region

Abstract The Charipinae material deposited in the United States National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution) and some specimens deposited in the Canadian National Collection of Insects from the Nearctic region have been revised. In all, 337 specimens have been included in this study and 27 species have been determined. Sixteen species are reported for the first time from the Nearctic region: Alloxysta arcuata (Kieffer, 1902), Alloxysta brevis (Thomson, 1862), Alloxysta castanea (Hartig, 1841), Alloxysta citripes (Thomson, 1862), Alloxysta darci (Girault, 1933), Alloxysta fracticornis (Thomson, 1862), Alloxysta halterata (Thomson, 1862), Alloxysta macrophadna (Hartig, 1841), …

New evidence for an Anatolian bridge: Colonization of Euromediterranean lands by cave-adapted Plusiocampinae (Diplura, Campodeidae), with establishment of a new genus

A new genus of Plusiocampinae (Diplura, Campodeidae), Anatoliacampa diclensis Sendra, Tusun & Satar gen. et sp. nov., is described from specimens found in the Southeastern Anatolian Peninsula in Dicle cave (Bozaba village, Dicle district, Diyarbakır province, Turkey). Based on its morphological characteristics and molecular analysis, the new taxon undoubtedly belongs to the well-established subfamily Plusiocampinae and occupies, like most species of the subfamily, cave habitats. Anatoliacampa diclensis has two important features: its unique pretarsus and the abundant distribution of urosternal macrosetae. The finding of this new taxon is of high palaeogeographic interest, as it provides new…

Host detection and rate of parasitism by Acroricnus seductor (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), a natural enemy of mud-dauber wasps (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Abstract The behavioural ecology of ichneumonid wasps that attack aculeate Hymenoptera is still largely unknown. Field observations and morphological analyses were devoted to investigate host detection and rate of parasitism by Acroricnus seductor (Scopoli), a natural enemy of the black and yellow mud dauber wasp Sceliphron caementarium (Drury). At the study site, about half of the host nests suffered parasitism by A. seductor. No significant difference was found between the rate of parasitism in sheltered (inside human building) and unsheltered (outside building) nests. Larger nests did not suffer a higher rate of parasitism, and larger brood cells were not more likely to be parasitized. …

Phaenoglyphis villosa(Hartig 1841) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Charipinae): a complex of species or a single but very variable species?

The status of Phaenoglyphis villosa (Hartig 1841), the only species in this genus with the radial cell partially open along the wing margin, is discussed. A complete synonymy list, redescription, morphological variability and some biological peculiarities of P. villosa are given. After studying numerous specimens from different countries from all continents, we concluded that this species is either very variable or might be a complex of sibling species. Auloxysta tarsata Belizin 1973, is a new synonym of P. villosa and P. dolichocera (Cameron 1889) was re-established as a valid species. Resume. Phaenoglyphis villosa (Hartig 1841) (Hymenoptera : Figitidae : Charipinae) : un complexe d'espece…

Bees and crops in Spain: an update for melon, watermelon and almond

Pollinators of most of the plants cultivated in the Mediterranean regions of Europe are still unknown. We provide new data and we review previously available information on bees (Apoidea) associated with three economically important crops in Spain: melon (Cucumis melo L.), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) and almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb). We found that, overall, 98 bee species spanning four families visit flowers of the studied crop species, and 46 additional species were sampled within the crops with pan-traps. The bee assemblages visiting melon include 7–33 species, with moderate to high importance of small Lasioglossum (Halictidae) and of honey bee (…