Oligomerization and other evolutionary changes in the antennae of tetrastichine wasps (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae)

The following trends in oligomerization of the male and female antennae in Tetrastichinae were determined. (1) Reduction (shortening) of the basal segment of the funicle. (2) Reduction (shortening) of the middle segments of the funicle (not recorded in chalcids before). (3) Loss of homonomy by the funicle. (4) Fusion of the claval segments. (5) Reduction (shortening) of the apical claval segment. (6) Incorporation of the apical funicular segment into the clava (not recorded in eulophids before). Sex dimorphism in the antenna structure apparently results from different rates of the evolution of parts of antennae in males and females, in particular from different rates of oligomerization and appearance of novel structures in the male antennae.     

Eulophid wasps (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), parasitoids of leaf-mining moths (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae, Nepticulidae, Tischeriidae) on the English oak in the Middle Volga Area

Data on the parasitoid eulophid complexes reared from 6 species of leaf mining moths damaging the oak in the Middle Volga Area are reported. The reared eulophids belong to three subfamilies: Eulophinae (8 species from 6 genera): Cirrospilus diallus Walker, C. viticola (Rondani), Euplectrus liparidis Ferrière, Hyssopus geniculatus (Hartig), Sympiesis gordius (Walker), Pnigalio rotundiventris (Erdös), P. soemius (Walker), Rhicnopelte crassicornis (Nees); Entedoninae (11 species from 4 genera): Chrysocharis laomedon (Walker), Ch. prodice (Walker), Ch. pubens Delucchi, Ch. submutica Graham, Closterocerus formosus Westwood, Neochrysocharis aratus (Walker), Pediobius cassidae Erdös, P. flaviscapus (Thomson), P. metallicus (Nees), P. pyrgo Walker; and Tetrastichinae (3 species from 3 genera): Aprostocetus sp., Minotetrastichus frontalis (Nees), and Sigmophora brevicornis (Panzer). The most abundant of the moth parasitoids are M. frontalis and Ch. laomedon, while Tischeria ekebladella has the greatest number of parasitoids. The ectoparasitoids/endoparasitoids ratio in the number of species is 2: 1, and in the number of individuals reared, 1.76: 1. Thus, the host density is regulated primarily by the ectoparasitoids.     

Phyllonorycter medicaginella (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) and its parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) in the Middle Volga River basin

Fifteen species of parasitoids, Chrysocharis idyia (Walker, 1983), Ch. laricinellae (Ratzeburg, 1848), Ch. submutica Graham, 1963, Ch. viridis (Nees, 1834), Hemiptarsenus ornatus (Nees, 1834), Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood, 1833), Pediobius cassidae Erd?s, 1958, P. metallicus (Nees, 1834), Pnigalio nemati (Westwood, 1838), P. mediterraneus Ferriére & Delucchi, 1957, P. pectinicornis (Linnaeus, 1758), P. soemius (Walker, 1839), Rhicnopelte crassicornis (Nees, 1834), Sympiesis gordius (Walker, 1839), and Hyssopus sp. n., were reared from Phyllonorycter medicaginella on Melilotius offlcinalis for the first time. Hyssopus simbirskiensis sp. n. reared from Ph. medicaginella is described. Eight ectoparasitoid species (Hyssopus ornatus, H. simbirskiensis sp. n., Rh. crassicornis, P. mediterraneus, P. nemati, P. pectinicornis, P. soemius, and S. gordius) attack all the larval instars of Ph. medicaginella. Seven endoparasitoids (P. cassidae, P. metallicus, Ch. idyia, Ch. laricinellae, Ch. submutica, Ch. viridis, and N. formosa) attack only the 4-5th-instar larvae.     

The parasitoid complex (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) of the leafminer Phyllonorycter issikii (Kumata) (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) from the Middle Volga Basin

In the Middle Volga Basin, Phyllonorycter issikii, an invasive species new to Europe, is attacked by many native parasitoids of the family Eulophidae (the percentages of infestation are given in parentheses): Sympiesis gordius (42), Minotetrastichus frontalis (20), Chrysocharis laomedon (11), Pnigalio soemius (10), S. sericeicornis (8), Apanteles sp. (4), Hissopus geniculatus (4), Entedon sp. (0.4), Aprostocetus sp., Cirrospilus lyncus, C. diallus, C. viticola, and Pteromalidae (0.2). Six species of parasitoids: Aprostocetus sp., C. lyncus (Walker 1838), C. diallus (Walker 1838), C. viticola (Rondani 1877), H. geniculatus (Hartig 1838), and Apanteles sp. (Braconidae), are recorded for the first time. The number of ectoparasitoids is 5.5 times that of endoparasitoids. The second generation of Ph. issikii is reduced by 22% due to parasitoids, and its propagation rate also decreases. However, the climate warming may level the pressure of parasitoids and promote development of the third generation in Ph. issikii.     

The parasitoid complex (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) of leafminer flies (Diptera, Agromyzidae) in the middle Volga Basin

Parasitoid complexes of fifteen species of Agromyzidae reared from 20 host plants were studied: Agromyza nana Meigen, Aulagromyza populi (Kalt.), Amauromyza sp. n. aff. insularis, Calycomyza humeralis (von Roser), Chromatomyia horticola (Goureau), Liriomyza eupatoriana Spencer, L. demeijerei Hering, L. dracunculi Hering, L. strigata (Meigen), L. soror Hendel, L. tanaceti de Meijere, L. taraxaci Hering, Ophiomyia quinta Spencer (recorded for the first time for the Palaearctic), Phytomyza petoei Hering, and Ph. griffithsi Spencer. A total of 38 host-parasitoid associations were analyzed, 31 of them were previously unrecorded. During this research, 17 Eulophidae parasitoid species (Cirrospilus viticola (Rondani), Chrysocharis pubicornis (Zetterstedt), Ch. viridis Nees, Ch. crassiscapus (Thomson), Closterocerus trifasciatus Westwood, Diglyphus crassinervis Erdös, D. chabrias (Walker), D. isaea Walker, D. poppoea Walker, D. pusztensis (Erdös, Novicky), Minotetrastichus frontalis (Nees), Neochrysocharis aratus (Walker), N. formosa (Westwood), Pnigalio pectinicornis (Linnaeus), P. soemius (Walker), Pediobius metallicus (Nees), and P. cassidae Erdös) were found. New parasitoids were recorded for Ch. horticola, A. nana, and Ph. petoei. The number of ectoparasitoid species was 1.25 times as great as that of endoparasitoids in the complexes, whereas the number of reared specimens of ectoparasitoids was 1.7 times as great as that of endoparasitoids. The dominant species of the parasitoid complexes of Agromyzidae were D. isaea (28.4%), Pediobius metallicus (14.5%), N. formosa (13.7%), and Pnigalio soemius (12.7%).     

Entedoninae wasps (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Eulophidae) associated with ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in tropical America, with new species and notes on their biology

Three new species of Eulophidae associated, or presumed to be associated with ants are described: two species of Horismenus Walker and one species of Microdonophagus Schauff. Information on the biology is also included. The two Horismenus species are from Chiapas, Mexico. Horismenus myrmecophagussp. n. is known only from females and is a gregarious endoparasitoid in larvae of the weaver ant Camponotus sp. ca. textor. The parasitoids pupate inside the host larva, and an average of 6.7 individuals develops per host. This is the second time a species of genus Horismenus is found parasitizing the brood of a formicine ant of genus Camponotus. Horismenus microdonophagussp. n. is described from both males and females, and is a gregarious endoparasitoid attacking the larvae of Microdon sp. (Diptera: Syrphidae), a predator on ant brood found in nests of Camponotus sp. ca. textor. The new species of Microdonophagus, Microdonophagus tertius, is from Costa Rica, and known only from the female. Nothing is known about its biology but since another species in same genus, Microdonophagus woodleyi Schauff, is associated with ants through its host, Microdon larva (with same biology as Horismenus microdonophagus), it is possible that also Microdonophagus tertius has this association. A new distributional record for Microdonophagus woodleyi is also reported, extending its distribution from Panama and Colombia to Brazil.     

Host discrimination by Elasmus schmitti (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) and Latibulus argiolus (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae), parasitoids of colonies of Polistes wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

The ability to discriminate parasitized and non-parasitized hosts allows the parasitoids to avoid intraspecific and often interspecific competition. In 2005–2009, the incidence of mixed infestation of Polistes nimpha (Christ) colonies by parasitoids Elasmus schmitti Ruschka (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) and Latibulus argiolus (Rossi) (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) was analyzed. In settlements of different types, the frequencies of mixed infestation deviated from the values expected in case of random distribution. The presence or absence of discrimination ability cannot be confirmed unequivocally based on our material. The data obtained are discussed in relation to the biological features of parasitoids.     

The British species of Achrysocharoides (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae)

Abstract. Taxonomic notes and a key are provided for the eleven species of Achrysocharoides found in Britain including A.carpini sp.n. Several forms of undetermined specific status are also described. Two species-groups are erected: the latreillii group and the aty s group. All British species have been reared as parasites only of leaf-mining larval Gracillariidae (Lepidoptera); one brood is here recorded from Caloptilia on Quercus; all other rearings are from Phyllono-rycter species. Parasite—host associations and speciation within the genus are discussed.     

Parasitoid complexes (Hymenoptera,Eulophidae) of leafminers of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllonorycter</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera,Gracillariidae) in the Middle Volga Basin

The parasitoid complexes of 22 species of the genus Phyllonorycter reared from 20 host plants were studied in the Middle Volga Basin. From a total of 124 host-parasitoid associations analyzed, 88 had been previously unknown. Minotetrastichus frontalis, Sympiesis sericeicornis, Pnigalio soemius, Closterocerus formosus, and S. gordius were the most frequent species. The highest percentage of parasitoids reared was observed in Ph. ulmifoliella (58.6%) and Ph. sylvella (54%), and the lowest one, in Ph. salictella (15%). Ph. corylifoliella (95.7%), Ph. populifoiella (95.5%) and Ph. insignitella (95.5%) had the highest mortality due to parasitoids. The number of endoparasitoid species prevailed over that of ectoparasitoids in the parasitoid complexes of the genus Phyllonorycter, but the number of individuals reared was 4 times greater for ectoparasitoids. The parasitoid complexes were the most similar in Ph. harrisella and Ph. quercifoliella on Quercus robur. The gregarious ectoparasitoid M. frontalis predominated over parasitoids of Phyllonorycter.     

Some aspects of interrelations between ants (Hymenoptera,Formicidae) and polistine wasps (Hymenoptera,Vespidae)

Embodied, situated and enactive aspects of relationships of polistine wasps with ants are considered within the framework of the theory of autopoiesis. The idea of the embodied interaction implies specific nestbuilding and protective behavior in polistine wasps. The paper examines the adaptive role of applying ant repellent on the petiole and nest and the latitude gradient of such behavior in re-social wasp species. The situated interaction is considered in the environmental context: the mortality of Polistes gallicus (L.) colonies as a result of predatory attacks of ants Myrmica bergi Ruzsky is analyzed in the Lower Dnieper basin (Ukraine). The enactive interaction includes both spontaneous autonomous activity of its participants as a result of self-organization and specific features of the spatial structure of the prey’s population forming under the impact of the predator. The applicability of some “predator-prey” models is discussed.     

Achrysocharoides Girault (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) new to tropical America, with eight new species

The genus Achrysocharoides Girault is here reported for the first time from tropical America. Included are ten species, eight newly described: Achrysocharoides asperulus, Achrysocharoides callisetosus, Achrysocharoides cuspidatus, Achrysocharoides foveatus, Achrysocharoides infuscus, Achrysocharoides mediocarinatus, Achrysocharoides purpureus, Achrysocharoides sulcatus, and two already known: Achrysocharoides ecuadorensis (Hansson) and Achrysocharoides gliricidiae (Hansson & Cave). All species are included in an identification key, diagnosed, described and illustrated. Only one of the species, Achrysocharoides gliricidiae, has a host record, an endoparasitoid in a leafmining Gracillariidae (Lepidoptera) on Gliricidia sepium (Fabaceae), thus conforming to the biology of extralimital Achrysocharoides species. The genus Kratoysma Bouček is here established as a junior synonym of Achrysocharoides, and the following species previously in Kratoysma are here recombined to Achrysocharoides: Kratoysma citri Bouček, Kratoysma ecuadorensis Hansson, Kratoysma gliricidiae Hansson & Cave, Kratoysma longifacies Hansson, Kratoysma nepalensis Hansson, Derostenus usticrus Erdös.     

Contributions to the knowledge of the Chinese Primeuchroeus Linsenmaier, 1968 (Hymenoptera,Chrysididae), with a key to species

The genus Primeuchroeus Linsenmaier, 1968 from China is revised and an illustrated identification key is produced for the first time. Three species are recorded from China, with one species, Primeuchroeus yongdaerianus Kim, new to China.     

Cytological investigations of parthenogenesis in gall wasps (Cynipidae,Hymenoptera)

The chromosome number was determined in eleven heterogonous species of gall-wasps on caks and in four species which reproduce by constant parthenogenesis on wild roses. One of the latter group proved to be a natural triploid. Maturation was studied in representative forms from synapsis through diakinesis and the abortive first division to the second division in the laid egg. Chromosome regulation in the developing egg, the production of parthenogones of different sex and the role of the sperm are discussed briefly.     

Self-organization of populations of polistine wasps (Hymenoptera,Vespidae, Polistinae)

In a natural population of Polistes dominulus (Christ) in the Black Sea Biosphere Reserve, Ukraine, the fluctuations of the number of nests founded were monitored in 1992–2008; the variations in the spatial and ethological structure of populations as well as in the colony organization patterns were examined. The highest indices of foundress fecundity (daily egg production, the foundress longevity after emergence of worker), colony productivity (the number of adults reared, the intensity of repeated cell use) and the efficiency of colony functioning (the degree of worker specialization and the mode of loyal or aggressive relationships between individuals) were characteristic of the population growth phase. In contrast, low indices were recorded during the peak and the decline phases. Transition to a more complicated social organization is favored by the self-organization process that accelerates the appearance of such interrelated features as a complex communication system, worker specialization, and their ability to perform complicated tasks. The study is focused on spatio-temporal processes in the population, using the body melanin patterns as markers of the social roles of foundresses. The changes observed in the population phenotypic structure are considered from the viewpoint of autowave processes. Analysis of the functional and numerical response of paper wasp parasitoids to changes in the host population density has shown that the regulating effect becomes noticeable only under such a concurrence of the life cycles of the parasitoid and the host when the larvae of the first cohort of workers become infested. The application of the concept of self-organized criticality used to describe complex systems with developed fluctuations results in a better understanding of population regulation in resocial insects.     

Evolution of the courtship display of Melittobia (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Melittobia, a polyphagous pupal parasitoid of many solitary bees and wasps, has a complex courtship display, the evolutionary history of which is poorly understood. The current phylogeny of this genus suggests the complexity of the courtship has increased over time. We test this hypothesis using Bayesian and Maximum likelihood techniques to construct a molecular phylogeny of Melittobia-the first for this genus using modern techniques--using two intergenic regions (Internal Transcribed Spacer regions 1 and 2) and Cytochrome Oxidase 1 (CO1), and reconstruct the ancestral state of each major node in the phylogeny for five behaviors coincidental to major shifts in display complexity. We show that species-groups identified solely on behavioral characters are reliable, although the relationships among groups are different than those previously hypothesized. We also show that behaviors traditionally used in the courtship studies do not support a hypothesis of increasing display complexity over time.