A new species of Uscanoidea Girault (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), Uscanoidea ricoi Viggiani, Gamboa & Pérez-Benavides, sp. nov., is described and illustrated. The species is a solitary egg parasitoid of Monalonion dissimulatum Distant (Hemiptera: Miridae), the main insect pest on cocoa crops. An identification key for the described Uscanoidea species of the world is provided. The new species has a high potential for the biological control of the true bug M. dissimulatum in cocoa plantations in the Neotropical region.

Antennal club, biological control, cocoa, fore wing, genitalia

During a research project in cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.-Malvaceae) agroforestry systems in Colombia, several specimens of a Trichogrammatidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) emerged from eggs of Monalonion dissimulatum Distant (Hemiptera: Miridae) from cocoa pods. The parasitoid was identified as a member of the subfamily Oligositinae, tribe Chaetostrichini, which, according to Owen et al. (2007) comprises several genera, including Adryas Pinto & Owen, Bloodiella Nowicki, Brachista Walker, Burksiella De Santis, Chaetostricha Walker, Kyuwia Pinto & George, Lathromeroidea Girault, Pseuduscana Pinto, Uscana Girault, Uscanoidea Girault, Zaga Girault, and Zagella Girault. Morphological comparison among these genera indicated the inclusion of the parasitoid in Uscanoidea. At present, Uscanoidea includes 12 rather different species whose members are distributed in the Oriental, Nearctic, and Neotropical regions (Pinto 2006; Noyes 2022). From comparison of the collected specimens with described species in Uscanoidea it emerged that the egg parasitoid of M. dissimulatum represents a new species.

In the Neotropical region, M. dissimulatum is the phytophagous bug that causes the highest incidence of fruit damage in cocoa plantations (Lavabre 1977; Vélez 1997; Schuh 2002–2013). Nymphs and adults of M. dissimulatum are sucking bugs, producing punctures on cocoa pods (fruits) and feeding on the cells of the epicarp. When one to seven week old fruits 10 to 12 cm long are attacked, they turn black, harden, and die. Further, when maturing fruits are attacked, they produce small stunted seeds (almonds) (de Abreu 1977).

In South America, different cocoa agroecosystem productions are found, and most are considered agroforestry systems (Johns 1999; Sambuichi 2006; Suárez et al. 2018). In those plantations, which have a greater plant diversity and are managed under traditional technologies, most farmers do not control M. dissimulatum populations. However, the few that do employ synthetic insecticides. Considering this context, it is necessary to develop new pest management practices for phytophagous insects based on recognizing and using the natural diversity of beneficial insects associated with cocoa plantations, such as predators and parasitoids.

The aim of this paper is to describe a new species of Uscanoidea, which has potential value for M. dissimulatum pest control.

In the departments of Caquetá and Huila in Colombia, 251 cocoa plantations ranging from 1–32 hectares in size were sampled. In each plantation, a manual four-hour sampling was used to search for Monalonion dissimulatum eggs inside cocoa pods. Eggs of M. dissimulatum are typically inserted into cocoa pods, and localized by detecting the two lengthend aeropiles extending out from the anterior pole of the egg.

Cocoa pods containing M. dissimulatum eggs were collected in 23 localities, 12 in the municipalities of El Doncello, El Paujil, San Vicente del Caguán and Belén de los Andaquíes in the Department of Caquetá, and 11 in the municipalities of Agrado, Colombia, Neiva, Timaná, Rivera, and Paicol in the Department of Huila. The cocoa pods were transported in plastic bags placed inside a styrofoam box to the Laboratory of Entomology of the University of the Amazonia (LEUA) in the city of Florencia, Caquetá.

Mature Monalonion eggs, typically yellowish-white in color, were extracted manually under Olympus SZ61 stereomicroscope, using a blade, forceps, a pin, and a fine-tipped paintbrush. The eggs were placed into 15 × 15 × 8 cm plastic boxes with a top opening on the lid and sealed with muslin for aeration, simulating brood chambers. After emergence, any adult parasitoids were preserved in ethanol 96% before point mounting. Additionally, some specimens were slide mounted following the protocol proposed by Woolley and Dal Molin (2017), with the following modifications: 1) wings were removed and deposited directly in clove oil; 2) the parasitoid bodies were rinsed in 10% KOH for 15 to 45 minutes depending on the degree of sclerotization in a water bath; 3) each specimen was immersed in 10% glacial acetic acid for about 3 minutes, and then into distilled water, sequentially into 35%, 50%, 75%, and 96% ethanol, and then clove oil diluted with 96% ethanol in 1:1 and 3:1 ratios for at least 15 min each; 4) each specimen was then transferred to clove oil for at least 30 min before slide mounting; 5) on the slides, each appendage and head were separated from the body, covered with a thin layer of Canada balsam, and finally covered with a coverslip; 6) lastly, the slide-mounted specimens were placed into a lab oven at 50 °C for 4 to 5 days. Dry specimens were studied under an Olympus SZ61 stereomicroscope at 90× magnification, and slide-mounted specimens were examined with an Olympus CX21 optical microscope at 400× magnification. Photographs were taken with a LEICA M205A stereomicroscope with a built-in camera and a HITACHI TM4000Plus II Environmental Scanning Electron microscope. A distribution map of the species of Uscanoidea was plotted with the software QGIS version 3.26.2.

The curatorship of all specimens was carried out following the protocols established in the LEUA: 1) specimens sizing less than 15 mm are point mounted; 2) specimens sizing less than 3 mm are slide-mounted within the mounting medium (Hoyer, entelan, canadian balsam) according to the specialist of the insect group; 3) labels on both point- and slide-mounted contain the basic information regarding locality, geographic coordinates, altitude, date, and collector. A second label contains scientific information of the host (scientific and family names), and collecting method.

Genus Uscanoidea was identified using the keys in Doutt and Viggiani (1968) and Pinto (2006). Terminology follows Doutt and Viggiani (1968), and Pinto (2006). The abbreviations used in the description are: c1: first club segment, c2: second club segment, c3: third club segment, c4: fourth club segment, c5: fifth club segment, md: metanotum disc, pd: propodeum disc, and eh: exit hole. The specimens described were deposited in the entomological collection LEUA in Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia, and in the entomological collection of the Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II,” Dipartimento di Agraria, Portici, Italy, (MUSA).

Sixty eight individuals of Uscanoidea ricoi, sp. nov. were reared from the same (68) number of eggs of Monalonion, of which six were slide-mounted and the remainder point-mounted.

Taxonomy

 Uscanoidea ricoi Viggiani, Gamboa & Pérez-Benavides, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/ED75F2BA-35D7-4FC2-9902-4B5749FD861F

Figs 1–12, 13–20, 21–23, 24, 25, 26–30

Description

Female (Figs 1–12). Colour: Eyes red, vertex and face mostly yellow, occipital area black. Antenna dark brown, with scape, ventral aspect of the pedicel, and apical club segment lighter. Mesosoma. Pronotum black and yellow, mid lobe of mesoscutum, axillae, scutellum, metanotum and propodeum yellow. Pleural and ventral areas of mesosoma black or dark brown. Fore wing hyaline with dark brown venation. Legs mostly brown or dark brown, but with lighter parts on femur, tibia and tarsus. Metasoma (gaster) black. Body length: 0.7 mm. Head. As wide as mesosoma; mandible tridentate, maxillary palpus 1-segmented. Antenna (Fig. 2) with scape 4× as long as wide; pedicel slightly longer than half length of scape; 2 anelli; club conical, 3.5–4× as long as wide, asymmetrical 5-segmented; C1 (Fig. 2, c1) very short, somewhat longer than second anellus, ring-like and closely appressed to base of C2, without setae but with one lateral basiconic peg sensillum; C2 (Fig. 2, c2) asymmetrical, dorsal length 4× as long as ventral length, slightly wider than C3, with long setae (Fig. 3), distal margin with basiconic peg sensilla and one placoid sensillum; C3 asymmetrical, 0.8× as long as C2 and with setae and sensilla as for C2, but with a slightly curved placoid sensillum; C4 1.8× as long as C3 and with one distal basiconic peg sensillum; C5 tapered, narrow, 4–5× as long as wide, with 2 or 3 placoid sensilla, one prominent and as long as C5; terminal basiconic peg sensillum, and a short terminal seta. Mesosoma. 0.8× as long as metasoma; pronotum very short, with a few setae; mid lobe of mesoscutum subtrapezoidal (Fig. 4), 1.7× as long as scutellum, with faint reticulate sculpture and two pairs of rather short setae; scutellum with setae and sculpture as for mid lobe of mesoscutum; metanotum (Fig. 5, md) with disc slightly shorter (0.7×) than that of propodeum (Fig. 5, pd). Mesophragma apically concave. Wings. Fore wing (Fig. 8) 1.6× as long as wide; venation 0.58 wing length; Subcostal vein 1.3× marginal vein length, premarginal vein 0.6× Marginal vein length, Stigmal vein shorter than premarginal vein, with a short neck; costal cell 1.5× Marginal vein length and with a group of 6–8 setae, distally near the premarginal vein; 1 seta on the Subcostal vein, 2 setae on the premarginal vein and 3 main setae on the Marginal vein; disc with 17–20 regular and distinct rows of setae; radial sector 1 curved from stigma toward the wing base and with 7 or 8 setae; fringe with longest setae half the length of stigmal vein. Hind wing (Fig. 9) with 3 rows of setae on the disc. Legs. Fore leg: trochanter almost parallel-sided; femur narrow, 4–6× as long as wide with a rather long seta on the distal ventral; tibia front margin with 3 spines, the middle one prominent (Fig. 10). Mid leg: fragile; tibia with a row of rather long setae on the external margin, somewhat shorter than the corresponding basitarsomere, one long seta on the distal ventral end, spur as long as basitarsomere (Fig. 11). Hind leg: robust; trochanter having a dorsal globular prominence; femur 2× as long as wide; tibia robust with spur as long as half basitarsus; tarsomeres subequal (Fig. 12). Metasoma. Subconical (Fig. 6), ovipositor internally inserted at level of terga III-IV, not extruded; ovipositor length/hind tibia length ratio 1.76; hypopygium (Fig. 7) reaching the basal half of ovipositor, with two median converging ridges and two long, subapical setae.

Figures 1–12. 

Uscanoidea ricoi sp. nov., female 1 habitus, lateral view 2 antenna 3 setae on antenna 4 mesoscutum 5 metanotum and propodeum 6 metasoma 7 hypopygium 8 fore wing 9 hind wing 10 fore leg 11 mid leg 12 hind leg; c1 – first club segment, c2 – second club segment, md – metanotum disc; pd – propodeum disc.

Male (Fig. 13). Body coloration as the female. Antenna (Fig. 14) slightly shorter (3.0×) and with fewer asymmetrical segments than in female, C5 shorter, 2.5× as long as wide and with several long setae (Fig. 15), as on the preceding segments. Mesoscutum as female (Fig. 16). Fore wing fringe (Fig. 17) as long as stigmal vein length. Hind wing as the female (Fig. 18). Metasoma 1.3× as long as wide, with posterior apex less pointed than in female (Fig. 19). Genitalia (Fig. 20) simple, tubiform, slightly wider in the middle, basal 2/3^rd brown, 4.4× as long as wide, length 0.125 mm, basal anterodorsal aperture 2× as long as wide; without ventral setae, parameres, volsellae, and aedeagal apodemes. Metatibia length/genitalia length ratio 1.7.

Figures 13–20. 

Uscanoidea ricoi sp. nov., male 13 habitus, lateral view 14 antenna 15 setae on antenna 16 mesoscutum 17 fore wing 18 hind wing 19 metasoma 20 genitalia.

Etymology

The specific epithet is named in honor of Leonidas Rico Martínez, President (Rector) of Universidad de la Amazonia (Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia), (from 2011 to 2016). He supported the foundation of the LEUA, with the aim of investigating the diversity of insects present in the Colombian’s Amazon.

Examined material

Holotype. Colombia • ♀; Caquetá, El Doncello, Vda. Los Laureles, Fca. Los Matapollos; 01°41'53"N, 75°17'48"W; 620 m alt.; 30 Jul. 2022; E. Ospina and L. Pérez leg.; emerged from an egg of Monalonion dissimulatum collected in cacao pod; LEUA-51438. Holotype is deposited in Laboratory of Entomology of the University of the Amazonia (LEUA), Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia (LEUA), section Central Taxonomic Collection (CTC).

Paratypes. Colombia • ♂ (Allotype); same data of holotype; LEUA-51442; deposited in LEUA • 2 ♀♀; same data of holotype; LEUA-51439/51440; LEUA • 5 ♀♀ and 4 ♂♂; Caquetá, El Doncello, Vda. La Ceiba, Fca. Bethel; 01°43'48"N, 75°16'55"W; 511 m alt.; 05 Jul. 2022; L. Pérez and E. Ospina leg.; emerged from egg of Monalonion dissimulatum collected in cacao pod; LEUA-51441; deposited in MUSA • 1 ♀; Caquetá, Belén de los Andaquíes, Vda. Agua Dulce, Fca. El Morichal; 01°20'34"N, 75°49'10"W; 328 m alt.; 13 Oct. 2021; L. Pérez and E. Ospina leg.; LEUA-51413; LEUA • 1 ♀; Caquetá, El Doncello, Vda. El Recreo, Fca. La Siberia; 01°42'53"N, 75°17'22"W; 452 m alt.; 06 Sep. 2022; Y. Rodríguez leg.; LEUA-51420; LEUA • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 18 Jul. 2021; L. Pérez and E. Ospina leg.; LEUA-51421/51422; LEUA • 1 ♂; Caquetá, El Doncello, Vda. La Ceiba, Fca. Bethel; 01°43'48"N, 75°16'55"W; 511 m alt.; 10 Ago. 2022; E. Ospina and L. Pérez leg.; LEUA-51408; LEUA • 5 ♀♀ and 3 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding; 19 Jul. 2021; L. Pérez and E. Ospina leg.; LEUA-51959/51960/51961/51962/51963/51964/51965/51966; LEUA • 1 ♂; Caquetá, El Doncello, Vda. Los Laureles, Fca. Los Matapollos; 01°41'53"N, 75°17'48"W; 620 m alt.; 19 Jul. 2021; E. Ospina leg.; LEUA-51424; LEUA • 2 ♀♀ and 3 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding; 06 Sep. 2022; L. Pérez leg.; LEUA-51426/51427/51428/51429/51430; LEUA • 1 ♂; Caquetá, El Doncello, Vda. Serranía, Fca. La Playa; 01°41'52"N, 75°18'05"W; 621 m alt.; 18 Jul 2021; L. Pérez and E. Ospina leg.; LEUA-51437; LEUA • 1 ♀ and 2 ♂♂; Caquetá, El Paujil, Vda. La Providencia, Fca. El Coralito; 01°32'23"N, 75°29'12"W; 320 m alt.; 20 Ago. 2021; L. Pérez and E. Ospina leg.; LEUA/51969/51970/51971; LEUA • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂; Caquetá, El Paujil, Vda. La Rivera, Fca. La Fortuna; 01°36'50"N, 75°19'47"W; 663 m alt.; 18 Ago. 2021; L. Pérez and E. Ospina leg.; LEUA-51433/51434; LEUA • 1 ♀; Caquetá, San Vicente del Caguán, Vda. Alto Pocetas, Fca. La Chinita; 02°16'21"N, 74°40'40"W; 375 m alt.; 10 Sep. 2021; E. Ospina and L. Pérez leg.; LEUA-51976; LEUA • 2 ♀; Caquetá, San Vicente del Caguán, Vda. Buenos Aires, Fca. La Jardinera; 02°17'05"N, 74°40'46"W; 605 m alt.; 26 Sep. 2021; E. Ospina and L. Pérez leg.; LEUA-51406/51407; LEUA • 1 ♀; Caquetá, San Vicente del Caguán, Vda. La Reforma No. 2, Fca. La Victoria; 02°16'50"N, 74°41'44"W; 422 m alt.; 09 Oct. 2021; L. Pérez and E. Ospina leg.; LEUA-51423; LEUA • 2 ♀♀; Caquetá, San Vicente del Caguán, Vda. Sotará, Fca. Villanueva; 02°01'29"N, 74°51'42"W; 293 m alt.; 11 Sep. 2021; L. Pérez and E. Ospina leg.; LEUA-51412/51977; LEUA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding, Fca. Parcela 4; 02°01'44"N, 74°50'55"W; 302 m alt.; 04 Oct. 2021; L. Pérez and E. Ospina leg.; LEUA-51435; LEUA • 2 ♀♀ and 2 ♂♂; Huila, Agrado, Vda. La Galda, Fca. El Trapiche; 02°14'52"N, 75°46'19"W; 827 m alt.; 23 Feb. 2022; E. Ospina and L. Pérez leg.; LEUA-51414/51415/51416/51417; LEUA • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding, Fca. Santana; 02°15'02"N, 75°46'23"W; 829 m alt.; 23 Feb. 2022; E. Ospina and L. Pérez leg.; E. Ospina and L. Pérez leg.; LEUA-51980/51981; LEUA • 1 ♀; Huila, Colombia, Vda. Horizonte Bajo, Fca. La Fortuna; 03°25'54"N, 74°46'05"W; 793 m alt.; 25 Ago. 2021; E. Ospina and L. Pérez leg.; LEUA-51410; LEUA • 4 ♀♀; Huila, Colombia, Vda. Ariari, Fca. La Esperanza; 03°25'58"N, 74°46'16"W; 782 m alt.; 25 Ago. 2021; E. Ospina and L. Pérez leg.; LEUA-51972/51973/51974/51975; LEUA • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂; Huila; Neiva; Vda. Floragaita; Fca. El Tesoro; 02°52'45"N, 75°08'21"W; 928 m alt.; 26 Oct. 2021; E. Ospina and L. Pérez leg.; LEUA-51978/51979; LEUA • 1 ♂; Huila, Paicol, Vda. El Alto, Fca. Alemania; 02°27'12"N, 75°46'44"W; 916 m alt.; 15 May. 2022; E. Ospina and L. Pérez leg.; LEUA-51436; LEUA • 1 ♀; Huila, Timaná, Vda. Cascajal, Fca. Las Palmeras; 01°55'17"N, 75°56'59"W; 1250 m alt.; 28 May. 2022; L. Pérez and E. Ospina leg.; LEUA-51982; LEUA • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂; Huila, Rivera, Vda. El Guadual, Fca. La Primavera; 02°47'09"N, 75°14'03"W; 793 m alt.; 31 Jul. 2021; L. Pérez and E. Ospina leg.; LEUA-51431/51432; LEUA • 2 ♀♀ and 1 ♂; Huila, Rivera, Vda. Mesitas, Fca. La Balsa; 02°44'47"N, 75°14'57"W; 894 m alt.; 29 Jul. 2021; E. Ospina and L. Pérez leg.; LEUA-51409/51418; LEUA • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; Fca. Caracolí; 02°44'49"N, 75°14'57"W; 869 m alt.; 28 Jul. 2021; E. Ospina and L. Pérez leg.; LEUA-51425; LEUA • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂; Huila; Rivera; Vda. El Viso; Fca. La Labranza; 02°45'22"N, 75°15'22"W; 760 m alt.; 28 Jul. 2021; E. Ospina and L. Pérez leg.; LEUA-51967/51968; LEUA. All additional material emerged from eggs of Monalonion dissimulatum collected in cocoa pod.

Biology

Uscanoidea ricoi, sp. nov., is a solitary parasitoid of eggs of Monalonion dissimulatum (Hemiptera: Miridae: Bryocorinae: Monaloniini) (Figs 21–23). Adult emergencies have been recorded in February, May, July, August, September and October. The parasitoid is multivoltine, like its host.

Figures 21–23. 

Uscanoidea ricoi sp. nov. emerging from Monalonion dissimulatum eggs 21 egg of Monalonion dissimulatum 22 egg of Monalonion dissimulatum with the emerging parasitoid Uscanoidea ricoi sp. nov. 23 egg of M. dissimulatum with exit hole of U. ricoi sp. nov.; eh – exit hole.

Distribution

Twelve species of Uscanoidea have been recorded worldwide: Argentina (4), Bermuda (1), Brazil (3), China (5), Jamaica (1), Panama (1), and United States of America (1) (De Santis 1979, 1989; Noyes 2022) (Fig. 24). Uscanoidea ricoi, sp. nov., is recorded from 23 localities in Colombia (Caquetá and Huila departments) (Fig. 25). Those localities are between 293 and 1,250 meters of altitude.

Figures 24, 25. 

Geographical distribution of Uscanoidea 24 all described Uscanoidea species 25 detail distribution of Uscanoidea ricoi sp. nov., in Colombia.

Habitat

Specimens of Uscanoidea ricoi, sp. nov., were collected in cocoa plantations intermixed within assortments of abundant vegetation (Fig. 26). In the region, at least four types of traditional agroforestry systems for cocoa are recognized (1- complex diversified multistrata, 2- low diversity with regular trees, 3- low diversity with clustered trees, and 4- high density of Musaceae), depending on the diversity of the associated trees (Suárez et al. 2018). In the traditional cocoa agroforestry arrangements in Caquetá and Huila departments, plant species such as Albizia guachapele (Kunth) Dugand (Fabaceae), Cariniana pyriformis Miers (Lecythidaceae), Cedrela odorata L. (Meliaceae), Citrus spp. (Rutaceae), Coffea arabica L. (Rubiaceae), Cordia alliodora (Ruiz & Pav.) Oken (Cordiaceae), Erythrina poeppigiana (Walp.) O.F. Cook (Fabaceae), Eugenia stipitata McVaugh (Myrtaceae), Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae), Inga spp. (Fabaceae), Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit (Fabaceae), and Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex Spreng.) K. Schum. (Malvaceae) are the most common trees and shrubs. Also, the diversity of associated herbs is high in the cacao plantations and Musa spp. (Musaceae) are commonly found there.

Figures 26–30. 

Habitat and host of Uscanoidea ricoi sp. nov. 26 cocoa plantations in agroforestry system 27 eggs at the moment of emergence of the nymphs of Monalonion dissimulatum 28 nymphs of M. dissimulatum host feeding on cocoa pod 29 adult of M. dissimulatum feeding on cocoa pod 30 collection of cocoa pods with M. dissimulatum eggs parasitized.

Most cocoa agroecosystems border on the introduced grasses Brachiaria decumbens Stapf (Poaceae) and B. humidicola (Rendle) Scheweick or border other agroecosystems such as Saccharum officinarum L. (Poaceae), H. brasiliensis, C. arabica, Erythroxylum coca Lam. (Erythroxylaceae) and Musa paradisiaca L. (Musaceae) or border stubble, secondary forests and primary forests. Extensive livestock production systems predominate in the region and there are high rates of deforestation.

The genus Uscanoidea was described by Girault (1911) as follows: “A genus allied with and resembling Uscana Girault and Uscanella Girault but differing from the former in having a pointed conic-ovate abdomen which is longer than the thorax, in bearing a shorter somewhat swollen and compact 2-jointed antennal club and in lacking a ring-joint in the antennae; from the latter genus it is practically similar in the form of the antennae, but differs in the absence of the ring-joint, in the short marginal cilia of the fore wing, the more distinct and denser discal ciliation, the shorter marginal and stigmal veins and the longer, more pointed abdomen”. Doutt and Viggiani (1968) revised the type material of both mentioned genera and made corrections to the original description. The distinction of Uscanoidea from Uscana was based mostly on the club number segments (3 in Uscanoidea and 4 in Uscana) and the length of the ovipositor (long in Uscanoidea and short in Uscana). After the type species U. nigriventris Girault, 2 new species from China were included in Uscanoidea (Lin 1994). The author defines both genera as having a 4-segmented club, but Uscana with “forewing moderately rounded, marginal vein slender and straight; 4 segments of club distinctly separated” and Uscanoidea with “forewing greatly broad and nearly truncate apically, marginal vein not very slender, usually with cluster of setae, club segmentation irregular and oblique, segmented differently in different view”. Pinto (2006) extends the limits of the genus including species with “male and female antennal club 5-segmented” and “propodeal disc and metanotum usually subequal in length”. The same author synonymizes the genus Gnorimogramma De Santis (1972) under Uscanoidea. The diagnosis of the latter genus by Pinto (2006) includes in Uscanoidea only species having antenna with 2 anelli and 5 asymmetrical club segments; most of the other characteristics appear mostly of specific and not generic value. Consequently, at present, the genus Uscanoidea sensu Pinto remains a complex of heterogeneous species without a common identity. Particularly marked are the variations of the antennal shape shown in the known species included in the genus, which need further studies to confirm the present assessment of Uscanoidea. It is a matter of fact that the morphological differences between Uscanoidea and Uscana still remain uncertain. However, biologically the two genera are different, the known hosts of Uscanoidea are Hemiptera and of Uscana are Coleoptera (Bruchidae) (Fursov 1995).

Unfortunately, the type and syntype material of U. nigriventris are in very poor condition (Doutt and Viggiani 1968; Pinto 2006) and for other species, few specimens are available for advanced morphological and molecular studies. Of the 12 species at present included in Uscanoidea, 3 species, U. aduncata (Lin 1994), U. aliciae (De Santis 1972), U. oviclavata (Lin 1994) show funicular segments; the others 9 have no funicle. Among the latter, the type of the genus, A. nigriventris (Girault 1911), U. hastata (De Santis 1997), U. ovata Lin (1994) and U. parviclavata (De Santis 1997) have a short and long club. The new species U. ricoi is included in the group of Uscanoidea with a conic-ovate club, namely U. acuminata (Lin, 1994), U. apiclavata Lin (1994), U. iperterebrata Viggiani (1992), U. marilandica (Girault 1918) and U. silvestrii Viggiani (1992). Among the latter species, U. ricoi appears most allied to U. apiclavata, but is distinguishable for having female antennal scape longer (4× in U. ricoi; 3× in U. apiclavata), club C5 longer (4–5× in U. ricoi, 3× in U. apiclavata), and male with C5 shorter than in female (subequal in U. apiclavata); genitalia shorter (4.1× as long as wide in U. ricoi, 5.5× in U. apiclavata), slightly enlarged in the middle and not parallel sided; without ventral setae.

For the majority of the Uscanoidea species, biological data are lacking. However, what is known is that U. aliciae was reared from eggs of Mahanarva (Ipiranga) rubicunda (=Mahanarva rubicunda indentata) (Walker) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) (De Santis 1972), both U. parviclavata and U. silvestrii were reared from eggs of Campylenchia hastata (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Membracidae), and U. silvestrii was reared from eggs of an unidentified membracid (De Santis 1997). Lastly, Pinto (2006) included leafhoppers (Cicadellidae, Hemiptera) as hosts of Uscanoidea.

The high anthropogenic pressure on natural ecosystems leads to cocoa agroforestry systems becoming the vegetation coverage that provides suitable habitats and food for different groups of insects. In a sampling carried out at the Matapollos farm located in El Doncello, Caquetá, 40 cocoa pods with Monalonion dissimulatum eggs were collected. From each pod, between 15 to 25 M. dissimulatum eggs were obtained, for a total of 719 eggs. The percentage of parasitoidism of U. ricoi, sp. nov., in M. dissimulatum eggs reached 87,9%. Therefore, it seems that cocoa in agroforestry system plantations ensures natural biological control of this phytophagous insect.

The parasitoid wasp U. ricoi, sp. nov., shows high potential as a biological agent against M. dissimulatum in cocoa plantations (Figs 27–29) since individuals have been found in different localities, agroforestry associations, and elevations, besides having a high percentage of the host eggs killed. In the future, new searches for U. ricoi, sp. nov., should be carried out in other localities in the Neotropical region (Fig. 30). Furthermore, studies of the biology and ecology of the parasitoid should be performed as a baseline for designing biological control management practices of the phytophagous insect pest M. dissimulatum in cocoa plantations.

This work corresponds to the first record, arguably the second record, of the plant bug parasitoid of M. dissimulatum. Moncayo (1957) recorded Prophanurus (=Telenomus) bodkini (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) as an egg parasitoid of M. dissimulatum. Prophanurus (=Telenomus) bodkini is incorrect as a taxonomic identity. Even so, during all these years in Colombia this incorrect information continues to be cited. We did an exhaustive search around the information included in Vélez (1997), to be able to make this statement. We even visited the entomological collection where Dr. Vélez worked and there is no evidence of this.

In Latin America, other Monalonion species harm crops of economic importance. Among others, M. velezangeli is a polyphagous pest insect in plantations of Coffea arabica L. (Rubiaceae), Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill (Myrtaceae), Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae), Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae), Psidium guajaba L. (Myrtaceae), and Rubus glaucus Benth. (Rosaceae) (Torres et al. 2012; Ocampo et al. 2018). Exhaustive searches for Uscanoidea parasitoids for different Monalonion species should be conducted.

We thank the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación) – MINCIENCIAS and the General Royalty System (Sistema General de Regalías) – SGR for funding the Research Project “STUDY OF THE DIVERSITY, POPULATION DYNAMIC AND BIOTIC POTENTIAL OF PREDATORS AND PARASITOIDS THAT CONTROL TRUE BUGS OF THE GENUS Monalonion IN COCOA PLANTATIONS OF THE STATES OF HUILA AND CAQUETÁ FLORENCIA (ESTUDIO DE LA DIVERSIDAD, DINÁMICA POBLACIONAL Y POTENCIAL BIÓTICO DE DEPREDADORES Y PARASITOIDES CONTROLADORES DE CHINCHES VERDADERAS DEL GÉNERO Monalonion EN PLANTACIONES DE CACAO DE LOS DEPARTAMENTOS DE HUILA Y CAQUETÁ FLORENCIA)” [code BPIN 2020000100513], approved by Agreement Number 100 of November 24, 2020, from which this study has derived. To María Bermúdez, Yulieth Rodríguez, Loreisy Andrade, Eidy Martínez, and Sebastián Valencia for their support in sampling and laboratory activities. To Yennifer Carreño and Éric Córdoba for their support in taking photographs and preparing the figures for publication. To Lizeht Gamboa for the administrative support during the execution of the Research Project. To the Supervision Support Group of the Research Project, including Juan Suárez, Karen Obregón, Paulo Murcia, Olga González, and Diego Vega.