A revision of the Chinese Trigonalyidae (Hymenoptera,Trigonalyoidea)

The Chinese fauna of the family Trigonalyidae Cresson, 1887, is revised, keyed and fully illustrated for the first time. Eight genera of this family (Bakeronymus Rohwer, 1922, Bareogonalos Schulz, 1907, Jezonogonalos Tsuneki, 1991, re-instated, Lycogaster Shuckard, 1841, Orthogonalys Schulz, 1905, Pseudogonalos Schulz, 1906, Taeniogonalos Schulz, 1906 and Teranishia Tsuneki, 1991) are recorded from China. The genus Ischnogonalos Schulz, 1907, is synonymized with Taeniogonalos Schulz, 1906. In total 40 valid species are recognized. Twenty species are new for science: Jezonogonalos elliptifera sp. n., J. jiangliae sp. n., J. luteata sp. n., J. nigrata sp. n., Lycogaster angustula sp. n., L. flavonigrata sp. n., L. nigralva sp. n., Orthogonalys cheni sp. n., O. clypeata sp. n., O. robusta sp. n., Pseudogonalos angusta sp. n., Taeniogonalos bucarinata sp. n., T. cordata sp. n., T. geminata sp. n., T. sculpturata sp. n., T. triangulata sp. n., T. tricolorisoma sp. n., T. uncifera sp. n., Teranishia crenulata sp. n. and T. glabrata sp. n. Two species are reported new for China: Orthogonalys elongata Teranishi, 1929 and Nanogonalos flavocincta Teranishi, 1929 (renamed to Taeniogonalos subtruncata nom. n.). Seven new synonyms are proposed: Poecilogonalos yuasai Teranishi, 1938, and P. maga taiwana Tsuneki, 1991, of Taeniogonalos taihorina (Bischoff, 1914); Taiwanogonalos minima Tsuneki, 1991, and T. similis Tsuneki, 1991, of Taeniogonalos alticola (Tsuneki, 1991); P. intermedia Chen, 1949, and P. unifasciata Chen, 1949, of Taeniogonalos formosana (Bischoff, 1913). Six taxa are recognised as valid species: Bakeronymus seidakka Yamane & Terayama, 1983, Jezonogonalos laeviceps (Tsuneki, 1991), J. satoi (Tsuneki, 1991), Taeniogonalos alticola (Tsuneki, 1991), T. flavoscutellata (Chen, 1949) and T. gestroi (Schulz, 1908). Five new combinations are made: Jezonogonalos laeviceps (Tsuneki, 1991), comb. n., J. satoi (Tsuneki, 1991), comb. n., Taeniogonalos flavoscutellata (Chen, 1949), comb. n., T. gestroi (Schulz, 1908), comb. n. and T. lachrymosa (Westwood, 1874), comb. n. Lectotypes are designated for Lycogaster violaceipennis Chen, 1949, Poecilogonalos flavoscutellata Chen, 1949, P. rufofasciata Chen, 1949, and P. tricolor Chen, 1949.     

Phylogeny of the Braconinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): A new tribal order!

Generic relationships within the parasitoid wasp subfamily Braconinae are assessed based on a molecular phylogenetic analysis of four gene fragments: mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, 16S rDNA, nuclear 28S D2-D3 rDNA and elongation factor 1-alpha. Our results support the recognition of Aphrastobraconini, Braconini and Coeloidini plus three new tribes: Compsobraconini tribus nov ., Tropobraconini tribus nov . and Virgulibraconini tribus nov . The first of these new tribes is restricted to the New World; the second includes the Old World genera Tropobracon Cameron, Trispinaria Quicke and Grangerbracon Samartsev and Belokobylskij and possibly others, whereas the third comprises the Australian genus Virgulibracon Quicke, plus several other described and undescribed Australian genera. Consistent placement of Amyosoma Viereck with members of the Virgulibraconini tribus nov . is discussed, whereas Amyosoma is left currently unplaced. A preliminary key to tribes is presented, and the characters used to differentiate between Aphrastobraconini and Braconini are revised. Megacoeloides Quicke was never recovered with Coeloides, the type genus of Coeloidini, so it is treated as Braconinae incertae sedis. By combining molecular and morphological traits, nearly all valid genera are assigned to tribes, and the possible relationships of the remainder are discussed. Alienoclypeus Shenefelt, 1978 is synonymised with Atanycolus Förster, 1862 (Atanycolus insolitus (Shenefelt) comb. nov .). Several new genera have been revealed and will be described elsewhere.     

Foraging patterns of two aphid parasitoids, Lysiphlebus testaceipes and Aphidius colemani on banana

The searching behaviour of two aphid parasitoids, Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) and Aphidius colemani Viereck (Hymenoptera, Aphidiidae), was analysed. Both species searched banana plants (Musa spec.) infested with the banana aphid Pentalonia nigronervosa Coq. in a different way. L. testaceipes restricted its search to open plant structures and avoided concealed areas. A. colemani partitioned its time spent on the plant between open and concealed areas. This general pattern was independent of aphid colony size and was also observed in the absence of aphids. As a consequence of these searching tactics, the borders of a host patch differed for both parasitoid species. For L. testaceipes, the patch consisted only of aphids feeding on open structures, while it comprised the whole aphid colony for A. colemani. The observed searching patterns resulted in a different exploitation of the aphid colonies.

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Zusammenfassung Eine Analyse des Suchverhaltens der beiden Blattlausparasitoide Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) and Aphidius colemani Viereck zeigte, daß beide Arten Bananenpflanzen (Musa spec.), die von der Bananenblattlaus Pentalonia nigronervosa Coq. befallen waren, auf unterschiedliche Weise absuchten. L. testaceipes beschränkte seine Wirtssuche auf frei zugängliche Pflanzenteile und vermied ein Eindringen in geschützte Pflanzenstruckturen. Dagegen hielt sich A. colemani gleichermaßen häufig auf offenen und in geschützten Pflanzenteilen auf. Dieses generelle Suchmuster war unabängig von der Blattlauskoloniegröß und wurde auch beim Fehlen von Wirten beobachtet. Als Konsequenz aus diesem unterschiedlichen Suchverhalten ergaben sich verschiedene Patchgrenzen für beide Parasitoide. Für L. testaceipes bestand der Patch nur aus Blattläusen, die an frei zugänglichen Pflanzenstrukturen saugten, während der Patch für A. colemani alle Blattläuse einschließlich der Tiere umfaßte, die sich in geschützten Pflanzenteilen aufhielten. Damit führte dieses unterschiedliche Suchverhalten beider Parasitoidenarten zu einer unterschiedlichen Ausnutzung der Blattlauskolonien.

     

Addition to the study of the genus Dusona (Hymenoptera,Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae) in Korea with description of a new species and key to the Korean species

Korean species of the genus Dusona Cameron (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Campopleginae) are reviewed. Twenty seven species of Dusona are reported from South Korea, including 12 previously unrecorded species, D. bellipes (Holmgren, 1872), D. bicoloripes (Ashmead, 1906), D. chabarowski Hinz & Horstmann, 2004, D. cultrator (Gravenhorst, 1829), D. japonica (Cameron, 1906), D. mactatoides Hinz, 1994, D. scalprata Horstmann, 2004, D. sasayamae Hinz & Horstmann, 2004, D. oblitera (Holmgren, 1872), D. obtutor Hinz, 1994, D. auriculator Aubert, 1964, D. longicauda (Uchida, 1928), and a new species, D. koreana sp. n. An illustrated key to Korean species of Dusona provided.     

The parasitoid complex affecting Choristoneura rosaceana and Pandemis limitata in organically managed apple orchards

Parasitism and density of obliquebanded leafroller,Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris), and thethree-lined leafroller, Pandemis limitata(Robinson) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), were studied in 1998–2001 in organically managed apple orchards in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. The density of the overwintered generation of leafrollers in spring was significantly higher than thedensity of the first generation in summer. There was a significant inverse correlation between the density of leafrollers and the percent parasitism within generation and therefore parasitoids may play a role in controlling leafroller density. Parasitism of the overwintered generation (means between 5.5 and 24.7%) was significantly lower than parasitism documented in the summer generation (means up to 67.9%). The parasitoid complex recorded as emerging from these leafrollerpopulations in 1998–1999 included 30 species, of which eight have not been previously recorded in the literature as parasitoids of either leafroller species. The most frequently occurring parasitoids included Apophuasimplicipes (Cresson) and two species of Glypta(Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Macrocentrus linearis (Nees), Meteorus trachynotus Viereck, Apantelespolychrosidis Viereck, Apanteles atra (Ratzeburg) and Microgaster epagoges Gahan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Colpoclypeus florus (Walker) and one Sympiesisspecies (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). All of these more common parasitoids, except Glypta sp. 1 and M. epagoges, were recorded parasitizing leafroller hosts in both leafroller generations. The number of days to adult parasitoid emergence, when field collected parasitized hosts were held at 20°C, was recorded for four of the parasitoid species. Meteorus trachynotus was found to emerge early enough in spring toparasitize the few remaining overwintered early instar leafrollers. Glypta sp. 1, A. simplicipes and one Apanteles species emerged to coincide with the first generationin the summer.     

Evaluation of four aphidiine parasitoids for biological control ofAphis gossypii

Four aphidiine parasitoid species (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were evaluated with respect to their potential to controlAphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae) in glasshouse cucumbers. In a laboratory experiment thirty cotton aphids were offered to individual females for two hours.Aphidius matricariae Haliday parasitized less than six percent of the aphids and was ruled out as potential biological control agent.Ephedrus cerasicola Stary andLysiphlebus testaceipes Cresson parasitized 23 and 26 percent of the aphids, respectively.Aphidius colemani Viereck parasitized 72 to 80 percent of the aphids. With the latter three species, experiments were performed in small glasshouses with cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L. cv. ‘Aramon’). As in the laboratory testA. colemani performed best; significantly more colonies were found and parasitization rates in the colonies were higher byA. colemani than byE. cerasicola andL. testaceipes. Because of the good correspondence between laboratory and glasshouse experiments, it is suggested that bad performance of an aphid parasitoid species in a simple laboratory trial might be sufficient evidence to disregard this species for further tests.     

Evolution of the Scarabaeini (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Abstract. A phylogenetic analysis of the Scarabaeini, based on 244 morphological characters, including 154 multistate and three biological characters, is presented. Tree topologies generated from unweighted data and some weighted algorithms are similar and support only two clades in the tribe representing the genera Scarabaeus L. and Pachylomerus Bertoloni. The only supported subordinate groups treated in this paper as subgenera are Kheper Kirby stat. nov. , Pachysoma MacLeay, Scarabaeolus Balthasar and Sceliages Westwood stat. nov. Drepanopodus Janssens syn. nov. is synonymised with Scarabaeus and six additional names, Madateuchus Paulian, Mnematidium Ritsema, Mnematium MacLeay, Neateuchus Gillet, Neomnematium Janssens and Neopachysoma Ferreira, remain synonyms. A single origin of flightlessness is supported with the subgenus Pachysoma, the most derived lineage in this clade. Rolling dung balls backwards is the ancestral behaviour and predominant mode of food relocation in Scarabaeini, although tunnelling, forward pushing, and carrying also are utilized by some lineages. Pushing food has evolved independently in Sceliages species and S. galenus (Westwood) and a novel mode of forward food relocation by dragging evolved in the subgenus Pachysoma. Feeding on wet dung is the plesiomorphic condition and maintained by the majority of species in the tribe. The most unusual feeding behaviours in the tribe are represented by the obligate millipede-feeding species of Sceliages and the dry dung pellet and/or detritus feeders of Pachysoma.     

Contact Kairomones Mediating the Foraging Behavior of the Aphid Hyperparasitoid Alloxysta victrix (Westwood) (Hymenoptera: Charipidae)

A variety of host-related substances was assessed in relation to their ability to induce arrestment and antennal examination behavior in adult females of the aphid hyperparasitoid Alloxysta victrix (Westwood). In laboratory bioassays, whole-body homogenates of both unparasitized host aphids [Myzus persicae (Sulzer)] and those parasitized by the primary parasitoid Aphidius colemani Viereck failed to elicit a response. However, significant kairomonal activity was associated with aphid cornicle secretions, aphid honeydew, and solvent extracts of parasitized aphids. Solvent extracts of unparasitized aphids (in either hexane or butan-1-ol) failed to elicit arrestment or antennal examination behavior in hyperparsitoid females. The response to aphid honeydew was significantly lower in experienced females than in naive individuals, suggesting that even relatively strong innate responses can be modified by learning.     

Three new species of ants (genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphaenogaster</Emphasis>, Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Turkey

Three new species of the ant genus Aphaenogaster (A. aktaci sp. n., A. maculifrons sp. n., A. radchenkoi sp. n.) are described from Turkey and their taxonomic positions are discussed. Aphaenogaster aktaci sp. n. belongs to the obsidiana group, A. maculifrons sp. n. to subterranea group and A. radchenkoi sp. n. to pallida group of the Attomyrma subgenus. Key characteristics for identification of the species and data on their ecology are given.     

Multifaceted assessment of species validity in the Dasymutilla bioculata species group (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae)

This study examines the validity of the ten species and eight subspecies composing the Dasymutilla bioculata species group. Four lines of evidence are examined: morphological data derived from both sexes; behavioural data derived from the study of mating pairs; geographic distribution; and molecular data derived from the internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 of the nuclear ribosomal RNA cistron (ITS1 and ITS2). Morphological studies reveal that none of the taxa in question can be consistently diagnosed by any synapomorphies or unique combinations of characters. Mating studies reveal that males of single nominal taxa are attracted to females of multiple nominal taxa, and that females of single nominal taxa attract multiple males. None of the nominal taxa are geographically isolated from the others. Genetic distances between these taxa are significantly lower than those seen in interspecific comparisons of other Dasymutilla species. Based on this evidence, we infer that the taxa in question share a recent common ancestor, and cannot be adequately differentiated using any of the available data sources. Therefore, employing the phylogenetic species concept, Dasymutilla bimaculata Manley & Pitts, Dasymutilla chiron chiron (Blake), Dasymutilla chiron ursula (Cresson), Dasymutilla creusa creusa (Cresson), Dasymutilla creusa bellona (Cresson), Dasymutilla lepeletierii (Fox), Dasymutilla medea (Cresson), Dasymutilla melanippe melanippe Mickel, Dasymutilla melanippe conformis Mickel, Dasymutilla praegrandis praegrandis Mickel, Dasymutilla praegrandis russata Mickel, Dasymutilla pyrrhus (Fox) and Dasymutilla sulcatulla Mickel must be considered junior synonyms of Dasymutilla bioculata (Cresson). We also discuss the identification of this species, as well as subspecific relationships and species‐group implications.     

Influence of Adult Size on Mate Choice in the Solitary and Gregarious Parasitoids, Cotesia marginiventris and Cotesia flavipes

Female and male mate choice in relation to adult size were examined for the solitary and gregarious parasitoids, Cotesia marginiventris (Cresson) and Cotesia flavipes Cameron, respectively. In addition, male precopulatory behaviors were observed for evidence of male competition or a large-male advantage in mate acquisition. Male parasitoids are not known to offer female mates direct benefits, but females that mate high quality males may obtain indirect benefits, such as offspring that are more successful in obtaining mates. Female choice experiments for C. marginiventris found that large males approached females first more frequently than small males, and that females mated large males significantly more often than small males. Male choice experiments for C. marginiventris did not demonstrate a male preference for female size. In contrast, female choice experiments with C. flavipes found that females mated equally with large or small males, while male choice experiments showed that males attempted copulation and mated more frequently with smaller females. Male competition was not observed in the gregarious species C. flavipes, but competition in this gregarious parasitoid could be moderated by dispersal.     

Notes on the Chinese species of Dianous group I (Coleoptera,Staphylinidae)

Dianous zhujianqingi Tang & Li, 2011 syn. n. is synonymised with Dianous cyaneovirens (Cameron, 1930). Additional records of Dianous yao Rougemont, 1981, Dianous haraldi Puthz, 2000 and Dianous huanghaoi Tang & Li, 2011 are provided.     

Brazilian populations of Drosophila maculifrons (Diptera: Drosophilidae): low diversity levels and signals of a population expansion after the Last Glacial Maximum

The Quaternary period was marked by considerable changes in climate. Such palaeoclimatic changes affected the population dynamics of many species, both in the Northern and in the Southern Hemisphere. However, the extent of these impacts on the demographic patterns of Neotropical species presenting different ecological requirements remains unclear. Drosophila maculifrons DUDA 1947 belongs to the guaramunu group of Drosophila and represents a potential indicator of the genetic consequences caused by the climatic fluctuations of the Quaternary, because it seems to be sensitive to temperature and humidity shifts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the evolutionary processes subjacent to the patterns of intraspecific diversity and structure of different populations of D. maculifrons. In total, 152 individuals were collected in the south and south‐east Brazil. Phylogenetic and phylogeographical analyses were performed based on sequences of COI and COII mitochondrial genes. In general, the results pointed to Brazilian populations of D. maculifrons being extremely impoverished in terms of mitochondrial diversity and population structure, which could be explained by a recent population expansion event dated to approximately 12 000 years ago. In fact, with the assistance of species palaeo‐distribution modelling strategies, it was possible to infer that most of the sampled region did not present the D. maculifrons environmental suitability requirements at least during the period of the Last Glacial Maximum. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 112 , 55–66.     

Natural enemy spectrum ofAphis spiraephaga (Hom.: Aphididae), an exotic immigrant aphid in Central Europe

Aphis spiraephaga Müller, an aphid of Central Asian origin, dispersed west-wards and reached Central Europe probably before 1956. It now occurs in most European countries. Research undertaken in the Czech Republic mainly in 1991–1993, revealed that the aphid is attacked by a variety of natural enemies, including both parasitoids (Aphelinidae, Aphidiidae) and predators (Anthocoridae, Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae, Cantharidae, Coccinellidae, Chamaemyidae, Itonididae, Syrphidae). All the natural enemies were identified to species. Attendance by ants (Lasius sp.) was common.A. spiraephaga was also successfully utilised as a new alternate host of two newly introduced parasitoid biocontrol agents (Aphidius colemani Viereck,Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson).     

Contrasting foraging related behaviours in two sympatric wasps (Vespula maculifrons and V. germanica)

ABSTRACT.

• 1 Using pinned freshly killed wasps (yellowjackets) to simulate feeding animals, it was found that V. germanica was socially facilitated, and concentrated its foraging activity on those feeders with the most pinned wasps (twenty). V. maculifrons foragers responded inversely, preferentially foraging at feeders with few or no pinned wasps.
• 2 Using hand-painted drawing pins (thumb tacks) as wasp models, similar results were found, indicating that visual, rather than olfactory, cues were responsible for the observed distribution.
• 3 Vespula maculifrons and V. germanica exhibit aggression while foraging at honey-baited feeders. Both species attack conspecifics at frequencies lower than would be expected under random encounter.

     

A new monorchiid trematode, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paramonorcheides selaris</Emphasis> n. sp., from the carangid fish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Selar crumenophthalmus</Emphasis> in the Bay of Bengal off the Visakhapatnam coast of India

Paramonorcheides selaris n. sp. is described from the intestine of the carangid fish Selar crumenophthalmus (Bloch) off the Visakhapatnam coast, Bay of Bengal. It is closest to the Australian species P. pseudocaranxi Dove & Cribb, 1998, but differs in its shorter cirrus-sac extending only to the level of the ovary rather than to the level of the testes, in lacking eye-spot pigment and in details of the armature of the terminal genitalia. P. pseudocaranxi of Machida (2005) is regarded as identical to the new species. The validity of Allobacciger Hafeezullah & Siddiqi, 1970, as distinct from Monorcheides Odhner, 1905, is discussed. A key to the six species of Paramonorcheides Yamaguti, 1938 is presented.     

REVISION OF CHINESE SPECIES OF HEMIPTARSENUS WESTWOOD (HYMENOPTERA: EULOPHIDAE) *

Abstract This paper deals with Chinese species of Hemiptarsenus Westwood, 1833. Totally five species are found in China. Among them, H. unguicellus (Zetterstedt), H. ornatus (Nees) and H. varicornis (Gi‐rault) were previously recorded, H. zilahisebessi Erdös is newly recorded in China and H. strigiscuta sp. n. is described as new. A tentative key to known species is given, and other three external species, H. fulvicollis Westwood, H. wailesellae Nowicky and H. waterhousii Westwood, are included in the key for comparison. The type specimen is deposited in the Zoological Museum, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.     

Superparasitism strategies by a native and an exotic parasitoid species attacking the Mexican fruit fly,Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Superparasitism refers to the action of parasitoids ovipositing eggs in hosts that are already parasitized; this inevitably results in the elimination of supernumerary larvae in solitary parasitoids. Here, we investigated superparasitism performed by two species of solitary parasitoids on the larvae of Anastrepha ludens (Loew; Diptera: Tephritidae): a native species, Doryctobracon crawfordi (Viereck; Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and an exotic species, Diachasmimorpha tryoni (Cameron; Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Tests were conducted under laboratory conditions evaluating the behaviour of females acting alone (self-superparasitism) or in groups (conspecific superparasitism). Parasitism strategies were different between these two species. In D. crawfordi, the number of first instar larvae found in each dissected host pupa was never greater than two, regardless of the number of oviposition scars observed per pupa. In contrast, there was a positive correlation between the number of oviposition scars and the number of first instar larvae in D. tryoni. The survival and fecundity of D. crawfordi females emerging from pupae with one scar was higher than in females emerging from pupae with more scars. In D. tryoni, the number of oviposition scars did not show deleterious effects on life history traits and was positively correlated with the proportion of emerging females. An understanding of the superparasitism strategy adopted by parasitoid species could be of great interest to augmentative biological control programmes because the mass rearing of natural enemies could be negatively or positively affected by this condition.     

Tyloids in Pimpla turionellae (L.) are release structures of male antennal glands involved in courtship behaviour (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Morphological and behavioural studies were performed on male antennal tyloids of Pimpla turionellae (L.) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). S.E.M. and T.E.M. investigations revealed that tyloids, located on 8th and 9th male antennomeres, are release structures of integumentary glands rather than sensory organs. These are bicellular secretory units consisting of one secretory cell, with a well-developed receiving canal, and a canal cell. The latter forms the evacuating canal, which connects the receiving canal to the external pore on the tyloids. Observations of mating behaviour showed that during the precopulatory phase, males typically perform antennal strokes during which the secretion containing tyloids comes in direct contact with the female antennae. Stroking intensity seemed to be correlated with female receptiveness, being more prolonged when females are initially unreceptive. When encountering receptive females, male stroking is usually limited or even omitted entirely. Results from behavioural comparisons between unmanipulated pairs and pairs in which male tyloids had been coated with glue, clearly indicate that the secretion mediates mate acceptance in females.