Latest Articles from Journal of Hymenoptera Research Latest 20 Articles from Journal of Hymenoptera Research https://jhr.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 13:40:27 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://jhr.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Journal of Hymenoptera Research https://jhr.pensoft.net/ Description and mitochondrial genome sequencing of a new species of inquiline gall wasp, Synergus nanlingensis (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae, Synergini), from China https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/119433/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 97: 105-126

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.97.119433

Authors: Yu-Bo Duan, Yan-Jie Wang, Dao-Hong Zhu, Yang Zeng, Xiu-Dan Wang

Abstract: A new species of inquiline gall wasp, Synergus nanlingensis Wang & Zeng, sp. nov., which was reared from galls on Castanopsis eyrei Tutch (Fagaceae) collected in Guangdong Province, China, is described and illustrated herein along with its mitochondrial genome. The mitogenome of S. nanlingensis is 16,604 base pairs in length and comprises 37 genes, which is typical of mitogenomes. One large control region was detected in the S. nanlingensis mitogenome, which differed from that reported for other Cynipidae species. Similar to other Cynipidae species, S. nanlingensis has the same four common gene rearrangement events; however, it shows some differences, as follows: trnS1 is downstream of Cytb; trnS2 is upstream of nad1; and trnC is downstream of rrnS. Phylogenetic analysis using COI, CytB, and 28S-D2 sequences confirmed that S. nanlingensis is a distinct species belonging to the genus Synergus Hartig.

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Research Article Mon, 11 Mar 2024 17:59:33 +0200
On the specific epithet “vaccinii” of Ashmead, 1887 and Burks, 1979 (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/110687/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 96: 955-965

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.96.110687

Authors: Juli Pujade-Villar, Y. Miles Zhang, Matthew L. Buffington, Denis J. Brothers, Irene Lobato-Vila, Victor Cuesta-Porta

Abstract: Ashmead (1887) provided descriptions of two species of Cynipidae with “vaccinii” as the specific epithet: Solenozopheria vaccinii Ashmead, 1887 and Acraspis vaccinii Ashmead, 1887. There are numerous nomenclatural issues that have arisen from these descriptions. To resolve them, we have examined all relevant primary types and provide images of these specimens, as well as their labels. We recognize as valid the two “vaccinii” species, Loxaulus vaccinii (Ashmead, 1887) and Zopheroteras vaccinii (Ashmead, 1887), and list their synonyms. We also include the following new nomenclatural and taxonomic acts: Acraspis vaccinii Ashmead, 1887: lectotype by present designation; Callirhytis vaccinii Burks, 1979: species incertae sedis; Andricus impositus Beutenmüller, 1918: revalidated status; Andricus verifactor Kinsey, 1922: new status.

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Research Article Thu, 9 Nov 2023 18:32:31 +0200
First record and characterization of Aganaspis daci (Weld, 1951) (Hymenoptera, Figitidae, Eucoilinae), a parasitoid of fruit flies, from Italy https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/110000/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 96: 863-877

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.96.110000

Authors: Umberto Bernardo, Feliciana Pica, Carmela Carbone, Francesco Nugnes, Gennaro Viggiani

Abstract: Aganaspis daci, a larval-pupal parasitoid of several tephritid species, was unexpectedly recovered in the Campania region (Southern Italy), where it had not been intentionally released. An integrative approach was used to conduct a comprehensive characterization of this parasitoid, confirming its identification through a comparison with specimens obtained from laboratory rearing. While A. daci emerged from puparia of Ceratitis capitata during this study, its original association was recorded with Bactrocera dorsalis. The presence of A. daci in Italy highlights its successful establishment, possibly facilitated by the recent invasive process of its host, B. dorsalis, offering promising prospects for future tephritids control strategies. It is intriguing to note that the mt-haplotypes found in Italy were only partially shared with those observed in specimens originating from a Spanish rearing, suggesting likely distinct origins for at least part of the Italian population.

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Short Communication Mon, 23 Oct 2023 18:15:42 +0300
Ovipositor characteristics differ between two parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Figitidae) of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera, Drosophilidae) in an adventive landscape https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/89678/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 95: 13-30

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.95.89678

Authors: Nathan G. Earley, Paul K. Abram, Robert G. Lalonde, Chandra E. Moffat

Abstract: Different ovipositor characteristics among parasitoid species that share similar niches are associated with different wasp life histories and selective pressures. The length of wasp ovipositors, for example, can determine the accessibility of hosts that feed at different depths within food substrates. Two parasitoids, Ganaspis brasiliensis and Leptopilina japonica (Hymenoptera, Figitidae), which attack Drosophila suzukii (Diptera, Drosophilidae) in their native range, have been investigated for their suitability for the global biological control of the small fruit pest. Despite their sympatry in microhabitat, the parasitoids have differing host ranges, and D. suzukii parasitism rates by each parasitoid species appear to depend on the fruit species occupied by the host species. Adventive populations of both parasitoids have been detected in the Pacific Northwest of Canada and the United States where they can be found parasitizing D. suzukii larvae in crop and non-crop fruits. We dissected and measured the ovipositors of parasitoids reared from three species of fresh fruits at three sites in southwestern British Columbia, Canada, and investigated the influence of parasitoid species, fruit type, and collection site on ovipositor characteristics. We found that ovipositor length differed markedly between the two parasitoid species and between sites while ovipositor width, and stoutness, differed only between the two parasitoid species, but did not vary among sites or fruit hosts. We discuss how ovipositor morphology traits could be associated with differences in life history and host ranges in the two parasitoid species.

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Research Article Fri, 17 Feb 2023 18:31:32 +0200
Cecinothofagus Nieves-Aldrey & Liljeblad (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) is likely an endoparasitoid of the gall-maker genus Aditrochus Rübsaamen (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae) https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/89507/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 93: 33-42

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.93.89507

Authors: Jean-Yves Rasplus, José-Luis Nieves-Aldrey, Astrid Cruaud

Abstract: Paraulax Kieffer and Cecinothofagus Nieves-Aldrey & Liljeblad (Cynipidae: Paraulacini) were long supposed to be gall-makers on southern beeches (Nothofagus, Nothofagaceae). Dissections of galls on Nothofagus Blume, suggested that Cecinothofagus could be instead either endoparasitoid or inquiline of Aditrochus larva (Chalcidoidea). We sequenced the universal COI barcode and Ultra-Conserved Elements (UCEs) from young larvae of Aditrochus collected from galls on Nothofagus and highlighted that one of them also contained DNA from Cecinothofagus ibarrai Nieves-Aldrey & Liljeblad. So far, when galls attributed to Aditrochus were dissected in early development stages they all contained only a single larva and no remains of other larvae. Conversely, when Cecinothofagus ibarrai was reared from galls on Nothofagus, remains of the host larva were observed inside the larval chamber. Altogether, biological observations and molecular results suggest that Cecinothofagus ibarrai is likely an endoparasitoid of Adritrochus. This result confirms the tribe Paraulacini as being entomophagous and supports the hypothesis of an ancestral parasitoid lifestyle for Cynipoidea.

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Short Communication Mon, 31 Oct 2022 12:45:23 +0200
First records of adventive populations of the parasitoids Ganaspis brasiliensis and Leptopilina japonica in the United States https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/82812/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 91: 11-25

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.91.82812

Authors: Elizabeth H. Beers, Dylan Beal, Peter Smytheman, Paul K. Abram, Rebecca Schmidt-Jeffris, Erica Moretti, Kent M. Daane, Chris Looney, Chia-Hua Lue, Matthew Buffington

Abstract: We report the first known incidence of two parasitoid species of the invasive pest, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), in the United States (US). The discovery of Ganaspis brasiliensis (Ihering) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) and Leptopilina japonica (Novković & Kimura) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) in northwestern Washington State (US) was made shortly after their discovery in nearby southwestern British Columbia (Canada), indicating that contiguous populations of these species are established in both countries. The first specimen of L. japonica from Washington was collected in the fall of 2020, when it was found in a rice wine/orange juice trap deployed to survey for Vespa mandarinia Smith (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Subsequent examination of trap contents from the 2020–2021 seasons indicated the presence of both L. japonica and G. brasiliensis. In September of 2021, live collections of both G. brasiliensis and L. japonica were made, reared from D. suzukii-infested Himalayan blackberry in Whatcom County, WA. Adult parasitoid identifications were based on morphology and COI DNA barcodes. All sequenced specimens to date from Washington and British Columbia belong to the G1 group of G. brasiliensis, the only group approved for release as a classical biological control agent in the US. This study provides an example of how even small changes in the geographic range of a natural enemy, now extending across an international border, may have significant consequences for the future of a biological control program.

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Research Article Thu, 30 Jun 2022 17:00:02 +0300
Eupelmus messene Walker, 1839 and E. microzonus Förster, 1860 as parasitoids of Aulacidea hieracii (Bouché, 1834) (Hymenoptera, Eupelmidae, Cynipidae) https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/68556/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 84: 87-102

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.84.68556

Authors: Vladimir E. Gokhman, Matvey I. Nikelshparg

Abstract: In the southeast of European Russia, the gall wasp Aulacidea hieracii (Bouché, 1834) is attacked by ten parasitoid species, including Eupelmus (Eupelmus) microzonus Förster, 1860 and E. (Macroneura) messene Walker, 1839. Although both members of the genus Eupelmus Dalman, 1820 are idiobiont ectoparasitoids, they demonstrate different life-history strategies in respect to many bionomic features. Specifically, E. messene is represented by brachypterous thelytokous females which lay single eggs directly onto the host body. This species can parasitize both concealed and exposed larvae and pupae of A. hieracii, but fails to attack its primary parasitoids. On the contrary, arrhenotokous males and females of E. microzonus are fully winged. These parasitoids usually lay several eggs per host which are placed onto the wall of the host chamber and covered with a particular fibrous substance. E. microzonus never parasitizes pupae or exposed larvae, although it can readily attack concealed larvae of A. hieracii and its primary parasitoids. In addition, hibernating individuals of E. messene undergo obligatory larval diapause, but those of E. microzonus are able to develop without exposure to subzero temperatures. All these data collectively suggest that the former species is highly specialized to exploit A. hieracii as a host, whereas the latter one mostly exhibits the so-called morphotypical specialization. These different strategies allow E. messene and E. microzonus to coexist on the same host species, as a local specialist and a more or less evenly distributed generalist, respectively.

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Research Article Tue, 24 Aug 2021 20:00:07 +0300
Checklists of the Hymenoptera of Canada, Alaska and Greenland – Introduction https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/60054/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 82: 1-19

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.82.60054

Authors: Andrew M. R. Bennett

Abstract: The distribution of described, extant species of the insect order Hymenoptera recorded from northern North America will be published in a series of ten checklists. In total, 9250 species in 27 superfamilies and 84 families are recorded from Canada, the state of Alaska (USA) and Greenland (Denmark). Within northern North America, 8933 species are recorded in Canada (96.6% of the total species), Alaska has 1513 (16.4%) and Greenland has 205 (2.2%). Within Canada, Ontario is the province with the most species recorded (5322, 57.5% of all species in northern North America), followed by Quebec (4207, 45.5%) and British Columbia (4063, 43.9%). At the family level, Ontario has 82 of the 84 recorded families, Quebec has 76 and British Columbia has 71. The most species-rich superfamilies in northern North America are Ichneumonoidea (4438 species, 48.0% of the total); Apoidea (1438, 15.5%) and Chalcidoidea (1246, 13.5%). The largest families are Ichneumonidae (3201 species, 34.6% of the total), Braconidae (1237, 13.4%), Tenthredinidae (573, 6.2%), Eulophidae (379, 4.1%) and Pteromalidae (309, 3.3%). Overall species richness of the Hymenoptera in northern North America is compared with surveys in Russia, Germany, Finland and the British Isles.

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Research Article Thu, 29 Apr 2021 21:00:01 +0300
The great greenbriers gall mystery resolved? New species of Aprostocetus Westwood (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) gall inducer and two new parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Eurytomidae) associated with Smilax L. in southern Florida, USA https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/59466/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 80: 71-98

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.80.59466

Authors: Michael W. Gates, Y. Miles Zhang, Matthew L. Buffington

Abstract: Aprostocetus smilax Gates & Zhang, sp. nov., is described from stem and leaf galls on Smilax havanensis Jacq. in southern Florida, USA. It is the third species of Aprostocetus Westwood known to induce plant galls. Two parasitoids of A. smilax are also described: Phylloxeroxenus smilax Gates & Zhang sp. nov. and Sycophila smilax Gates & Zhang, sp. nov. We conclude that A. smilax is the true gall inducer on Smilax L., and thus the host records of Diastrophus smilacis Ashmead and its inquiline Periclistus smilacis Ashmead, both from Smilax, are erroneous.

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Research Article Tue, 29 Dec 2020 15:57:26 +0200
Hymenoptera functional groups’ shifts in disturbance gradients at Andean forests in Southern Ecuador https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/60345/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 80: 1-15

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.80.60345

Authors: Marina Mazón, Ximena López, Oscar Romero

Abstract: Ecosystems under ecological restoration should be monitored in order to investigate if the ecosystem is being functionally recovered, especially in highly vulnerable biodiversity hotspots like Andean forests. Here we sampled Hymenoptera families in four Andean forest reserves above 1800 masl from Southern Ecuador, in three conservation levels in each forest: low (degraded), medium (10–15 years of recovery) and high (well-conserved forest). All Hymenoptera families were classified into four functional groups: predators, herbivores, pollinators and parasitoids. A total of 32 hymenopteran families were collected, with parasitoids clearly dominating in the samples. Family assemblages were not statistically different, neither in abundance nor family richness. Assemblages were more similar between them in the high and medium areas than in low conservation areas, where assemblages were very variable and showed a higher functional diversity in two of the reserves. The low presence of pollinators may be due to the high humidity during the sampling and the sampling method. Although some results are promising for the restoring trajectory, especially for parasitoids, we should keep in mind that this is at family level, so it would be interesting to know if these patterns persist at lower taxonomic levels.

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Research Article Tue, 29 Dec 2020 15:40:23 +0200
New records of Leptopilina, Ganaspis, and Asobara species associated with Drosophila suzukii in North America, including detections of L. japonica and G. brasiliensis https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/55026/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 78: 1-17

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.78.55026

Authors: Paul K. Abram, Audrey E. McPherson, Robert Kula, Tracy Hueppelsheuser, Jason Thiessen, Steve J. Perlman, Caitlin I. Curtis, Jessica L. Fraser, Jordan Tam, Juli Carrillo, Michael Gates, Sonja Scheffer, Matthew Lewis, Matthew Buffington

Abstract: We report the presence of two Asian species of larval parasitoids of spotted wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), in northwestern North America. Leptopilina japonica Novkovic & Kimura and Ganaspis brasiliensis (Ihering) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) were found foraging near and emerging from fruits infested by D. suzukii at several locations across coastal British Columbia, Canada in the summer and fall of 2019. While G. brasiliensis was found in British Columbia for the first time in 2019, re-inspection of previously collected specimens suggests that L. japonica has been present since at least 2016. Additionally, we found a species of Asobara associated with D. suzukii in British Columbia that is possibly Asobara rufescens (Förster) (known only from the Palearctic Region) based on COI DNA barcode data. These findings add to the list of cases documenting adventive establishment of candidate classical biological control agents outside of their native ranges. The findings also illustrate the need for revisiting species concepts within Asobara, as well as host and geographic distribution data due to cryptic and/or misidentified species.

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Research Article Mon, 31 Aug 2020 15:46:16 +0300
Life history of Parnips and the evolutionary origin of gall wasps https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/24115/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 65: 91-110

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.65.24115

Authors: Fredrik Ronquist, Johan A. A. Nylander, Hege Vårdal, José Luis Nieves-Aldrey

Abstract: By mechanisms that are still unknown, gall wasps (Cynipidae) induce plants to form complex galls, inside which their larvae develop. The family also includes inquilines (phytophagous forms that live inside the galls of other gall inducers) and possibly also parasitoids of gall inducers. The origin of cynipids is shrouded in mystery, but it has been clear for some time that a key group in making progress on this question is the ‘figitoid inquilines’. They are gall-associated relatives of cynipids, whose biology is poorly known. Here, we report the first detailed data on the life history of a figitoid inquiline, the genus Parnips. Dissections of mature galls show that Parnips nigripes is a parasitoid of Barbotinia oraniensis, a cynipid that induces single-chambered galls inside the seed capsules of annual poppies (Papaver rhoeas and P. dubium). Galls with pupae of Parnips nigripes always contain the remains of a terminal-instar larva of B. oraniensis. The mandibles of the terminal-instar larva of P. nigripes are small and equipped with a single sharp tooth, a shape that is characteristic of carnivorous larvae. The weight of P. nigripes pupae closely match that of the same sex of B. oraniensis pupae, indicating that Parnips makes efficient use of its host and suggesting that ovipositing Parnips females lay eggs that match the sex of the host larva. Dissection of young galls show that another species of Parnips, hitherto undescribed, spends its late larval life as an ectoparasitoid of Iraella hispanica, a cynipid that induces galls in flowers of annual poppies. These and other observations suggest that Parnips shares the early endoparasitic-late ectoparasitic life history described for all other cynipoid parasitoids. Our findings imply that gall wasps evolved from parasitoids of gall insects. The original hosts could not have been cynipids but possibly chalcidoids, which appear to be the hosts of several extant figitoid inquilines. It is still unclear whether the gall inducers evolved rapidly from these ancestral parasitoids, or whether they were preceded by a long series of intermediate forms that were phytophagous inquilines.

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Research Article Mon, 27 Aug 2018 12:45:33 +0300
Revision of Canadian Eurytomidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) associated with galls induced by cynipid wasps of the genus Diplolepis Geoffroy (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) and description of a new species https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/13466/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 61: 1-29

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.61.13466

Authors: Y. Miles Zhang, Michael W. Gates, Joseph D. Shorthouse

Abstract: Eurytomids are small parasitic wasps associated with many communities of phytophagous insects. In most cases, the accurate identification of eurytomids is impeded by inadequate species descriptions that do not include figures of diagnostic features, and keys that are difficult to use. Here, diagnostic features and redescriptions are provided for both sexes of the eurytomids associated with galls induced by cynipid wasps of the genus Diplolepis Geoffroy found on shrub roses across Canada. Consequently, six species of Eurytoma Illiger, along with Tenuipetiolus ruber Bugbee, are dealt with. One new species, Eurytoma shorthousei Zhang & Gates, sp. n., is described. Two species are synonymized, E. hebes Bugbee, 1973 and E. spina Bugbee, 1951 under E. longavena Bugbee, 1951, syn. n. Several new host and distribution records are reported. A dichotomous key is provided for both sexes of all seven species using photographs and scanning electron microscopy images.

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Research Article Wed, 20 Dec 2017 09:30:06 +0200
A new genus and species of Eucoilinae (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae) parasitoid of Euxesta eluta Loew (Diptera, Otitidae) attacked Bt sweet corn in Argentina https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/10096/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 54: 57-70

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.54.10096

Authors: Fabiana E. Gallardo, Vanina Anadina Reche, Isabel Bertolaccini, Brenda Zarate, Cecilia Curis

Abstract: Euxestophaga Gallardo, a new genus of Eucoilinae (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae) and Euxestophaga argentinensis Gallardo, sp. n. from Argentina, are described and illustrated. This new genus belongs to the Ganaspini and morphologically resembles Epicoela Borgmeier and Striatovertex Schick, Forshage and Nordlander. A key to differentiate these genera is given. Specimens were reared from pupae of Euxesta eluta Loew (Diptera: Otitidae), attacked Bt sweet corn in Santa Fe province and other in Tucumán province (Argentina).

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Research Article Mon, 27 Feb 2017 12:20:16 +0200
New Dryocosmus Giraud species associated with Cyclobalanopsis and non-Quercus host plants from the Eastern Palaearctic (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae, Cynipini) https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/9890/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 53: 77-162

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.53.9890

Authors: Chang-Ti Tang, Istvan Miko, James A. Nicholls, Szabina Schwéger, Man-Miao Yang, Graham N. Stone, Frazer Sinclair, Miklós Bozsó, George Melika, Zsolt Pénzes

Abstract: Our knowledge about gall wasps associated with the diverse East Asian oaks, Castanopsis and Cyclobalanopsis, is limited due to the lack of extensive field studies. Here, we describe twelve new oak gall wasp species, Dryocosmus cannoni Schwéger & Tang, D. caputgrusi Tang & Schwéger, D. crinitus Schwéger & Tang, D. harrisonae Melika & Tang, D. hearni Melika &Tang, D. hualieni Schwéger & Tang, D. konradi Tang & Melika, D. liyingi Melika & Tang, D. moriius Tang & Melika, D. quadripetiolus Schwéger & Tang, D. salicinai Schwéger & Tang, and D. taitungensis Tang & Melika, from Taiwan and mainland China. Seven newly described species induce galls on Quercus subgenus Cyclobalanopsis and five on other Fagaceae genus, Castanopsis. All of the new species concepts are supported by morphological and molecular data. We provide descriptions, diagnoses, host associations for the new species and an illustrated identification key to Eastern Palaearctic Dryocosmus species. We represent natural language phenotypes in a semantic format supported by biomedical ontologies to increase the accessibility of morphological data.

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Research Article Mon, 19 Dec 2016 10:24:15 +0200
Review of the genus Leptopilina (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae, Eucoilinae) from the Eastern United States, including three newly described species https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/10369/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 53: 35-76

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.53.10369

Authors: Chia-Hua Lue, Amy C. Driskell, Jeff Leips, Matthew L. Buffington

Abstract: The genus Leptopilina has historically been a poorly understood group. However, some species of Leptopilina are among the best-known model organisms for studying host-parasitoid interactions. As there is no identification system for Leptopilina in any part of the United States, we review species that were collected throughout their range in Eastern North America and those commonly used in laboratories. We provide a key for seven species, L. boulardi, L. heterotoma, L. clavipes, L. victoriae, L. decemflagella sp. n., L. maia sp. n. and L. leipsi sp. n., the last three of which are newly described here. This study is the first of its kind for Leptopilina species in North America, as our review and key were developed by examining a large number of specimens collected across broad chronological and geographic scales. This allowed us to account for the phenotypic variation within species, and helped us discover diagnostic characters. The geographic distribution and taxonomic information from this review provides a solid foundation for future research on Leptopilina.

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Research Article Mon, 19 Dec 2016 07:38:56 +0200
Infestation of the woodwasp Tremex apicalis Matsumura (Hymenoptera, Siricidae) on the large-leaf dogwood Swida macrophylla (Wall.) with biological notes on its parasitoid wasps https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/10060/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 52: 71-79

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.52.10060

Authors: Kazumu Kuramitsu, Atsuya Kosaki, Teruhito Ishihara, Hideo Yamada, Kyohei Watanabe

Abstract: The woodwasp Tremex apicalis (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) infesting a decayed stand of Swida macrophylla (Cornales: Cornaceae) was found in Honshu, Japan. S. macrophylla was newly recorded as a host tree of the woodwasps. We observed oviposition behavior of T. apicalis on the tree trunk on May, 2015. In addition, prepupae and pupae of T. apicalis were observed in the wood on April, 2016. However, no larvae of T. apicalis were found at that time. This suggests that T. apicalis requires one year from egg to pupation. Parasitoid wasps, Ibalia japonica (Hymenoptera: Ibaliidae) and Megarhyssa spp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), were also observed on the trunk (oviposition behavior of adult females) and in the wood (pupae and newly emerged adults). Because Ibalia and Megarhyssa are known as larval parasitoids of woodwasps and there were no other insect species in the wood, we conclude that these wasps are parasitoids of T. apicalis larvae. These parasitoids appear to be major natural enemies of T. apicalis larvae in the study site.

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Research Article Fri, 28 Oct 2016 09:50:43 +0300
Parasitoid wasps from three Jamaican localities: A pilot study https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/1656/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 37: 127-135

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.37.7081

Authors: Fadia Ceccarelli, Dwight Robinson, Hans Clebsch, Alejandro Zaldivar-Riveron

Abstract: Parasitoid wasps are an extremely speciose, ecologically and economically crucial group of insects. Despite this, they have received disproportionally little attention from scientists, in particular in certain areas of the world. One such area is the Caribbean, where studies are scarce despite the importance of parasitoid wasps, and the uniqueness and diversity of the Caribbean islands. To verify whether an adequate diversity of parasitoid wasps at family level can be found to warrant future studies, this study carries out preliminary sampling in three localities in Jamaica. A total of 1522 individual parasitoid wasps, belonging to at least 16 different families collected during 16 events provide preliminary evidence there is in fact a high diversity of parasitoid wasps in Jamaica, and that future studies there, as in the rest of the Caribbean are definitely worthwhile.

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Research Article Fri, 28 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0200
Revision of the Afrotropical Mayrellinae (Cynipoidea: Liopteridae), with the first record of Paramblynotus from Madagascar https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/1631/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 31: 1-64

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.31.4072

Authors: Simon van Noort, Matthew Buffington

Abstract: The liopterid subfamily Mayrellinae is revised for the Afrotropical region including the description of the following nine new species of Paramblynotus Cameron: Paramblynotus alexandriensis Buffington & van Noort sp. n.; Paramblynotus bayangensis van Noort & Buffington sp. n.; Paramblynotus behara van Noort & Buffington sp. n.; Paramblynotus dzangasangha van Noort & Buffington sp. n.; Paramblynotus matele van Noort & Buffington sp. n.; Paramblynotus parinari Buffington & van Noort sp. n.; Paramblynotus ruvubuensis van Noort & Buffington sp. n.; Paramblynotus seyrigi van Noort & Buffington sp. n.; Paramblynotus zohy van Noort & Buffington sp. n. The genus Paramblynotus is recorded from Madagascar for the first time, with representatives of two species-groups being present on the island: the Paramblynotus yangambicolous species-group and the new Paramblynotus seyrigi species-group, which we erect here to accommodate a single, but highly distinctive new species possessing apomorphic character states. The latter species-group is possibly endemic to Madagascar. We provide identification keys to the species-groups and species occurring in the Afrotropical region. Online dichotomous and interactive Lucid keys are available at http://www.waspweb.org/Cynipoidea/Keys/index.htm

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Research Article Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0200
Description of two techniques to increase efficiency in processing and curating minute arthropods, with special reference to parasitic Hymenoptera https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/1569/ Journal of Hymenoptera Research 22: 133-140

DOI: 10.3897/jhr.22.2099

Authors: Michael Gates, Matthew Buffington

Abstract: We describe and illustrate two techniques for enhancing curatorial and processing efficiency as it pertains to parasitic Hymenoptera (Chalcidoidea, Cynipoidea). These techniques were developed in response not only to the massive number of parasitoids that have been acquired through various biodiversity studies, but also the difficulty in mobilizing the human resources to curate this material. The first technique uses small, crystal polystyrene boxes with tight-fitting lids to store dehydrated specimens prior to mounting. Locality information is affixed to the box and specimens are spread in a layer for ease of examination by researchers. Solutions for managing static electricity within the specimen boxes are discussed. The second involves a vacuum pump connected to a funnel with a filtration membrane and flask apparatus to rapidly dehydrate hard-bodied parasitoids (Figitidae) that are not subject to collapse during air-drying.

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Research Article Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0300