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Neocardiochiles Szépligeti, 1908, is a rare Neotropical genus of the subfamily Cardiochilinae Ashmead, 1900. The genus was previously synonymized with Heteropteron Brullé, 1846 by Dangerfield et al. (1999). In this study, we examined multiple specimens of Heteropteron-related genera: Heteropteron, Neocardiochiles, and Wesmaelella Spinola, 1851, and resurrect Neocardiochiles as a valid genus based on morphological data. As a result, five new species, N. alexeyi Kang, sp. nov. from Ecuador, N. franki Kang, sp. nov. from Costa Rica, N. braeti Kang, sp. nov., N. chriscarltoni Kang, sp. nov., and N. victoriae Kang, sp. nov., from French Guiana are included as members of Neocardiochiles and described based on morphological and molecular data. Additionally, four species previously included in Heteropteron are transferred to Neocardiochiles: Neocardiochiles fasciipennis Szépligeti, 1908, comb. nov., Neocardiochiles hasegawai (Dabek & Whitfield, 2020) comb. nov., Neocardiochiles kidonoi (Dabek & Whitfield, 2020), comb. nov., and Neocardiochiles whitfieldi (Mercado, 2003), comb. nov.. Diagnosis of each taxon and both traditional and interactive identification keys to Neocardiochiles species are included. Molecular data of N. alexeyi sp. nov., N. chriscarltoni sp. nov., N. victoriae sp. nov., and N. hasegawaii (Dabek & Whitfield, 2020), are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex allocation is defined as the allocation of resources to produce male and female offspring during reproduction, and it is an important topic in evolutionary biology. As organisms with special haplo‐diploid sex determination, parasitoid wasps are particularly suited for the study of sex allocation. However, most studies focused on the secondary sex ratio (i.e., the eclosion sex ratio) because the oviposition ratio (the primary sex ratio) is difficult to study, especially in parasitoid species. The primary sex ratio may differ from the secondary sex ratio due to larval mortality and self‐superparasitism. The present study used microsatellites to explore the effects of female age on the primary and secondary sex ratio (male proportion) of the solitary ectoparasitoid Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). The primary sex ratio showed a significant decreasing trend as the oviposition days increased, and the secondary sex ratio significantly increased. Self‐superparasitism, i.e., laying more than one egg in a host, was the cause of the variation in the secondary sex ratio in P. vindemmiae. When females practiced self‐superparasitism, they tended to lay female eggs. The application of microsatellites helped explore and improve the understanding of the primary sex ratio and self‐superparasitism in this ectoparasitoid species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A fundamental feature of parasitism is the nutritional exploitation of host organisms by their parasites. Parasitoid wasps lay eggs on arthropod hosts, exploiting them for nutrition to support larval development by using diverse effectors aimed at regulating host metabolism. However, the genetic components and molecular mechanisms at the basis of such exploitation, especially the utilization of host amino acid resources, remain largely unknown. To address this question, here, we present a chromosome-level genome assembly of the parasitoid wasp Cotesia chilonis and reconstruct its amino acid biosynthetic pathway. Results: Analyses of the amino acid synthetic pathway indicate that C. chilonis lost the ability to synthesize ten amino acids, which was confirmed by feeding experiments with amino acid-depleted media. Of the ten pathways, nine are known to have been lost in the common ancestor of animals. We find that the ability to synthesize arginine was also lost in C. chilonis because of the absence of two key genes in the arginine synthesis pathway. Further analyses of the genomes of 72 arthropods species show that the loss of arginine synthesis is common in arthropods. Metabolomic analyses by UPLC-MS/MS reveal that the temporal concentrations of arginine, serine, tyrosine, and alanine are significantly higher in host (Chilo suppressalis) hemolymph at 3 days after parasitism, whereas the temporal levels of 5-hydroxylysine, glutamic acid, methionine, and lysine are significantly lower. We sequence the transcriptomes of a parasitized host and non-parasitized control. Differential gene expression analyses using these transcriptomes indicate that parasitoid wasps inhibit amino acid utilization and activate protein degradation in the host, likely resulting in the increase of amino acid content in host hemolymph. Conclusions: We sequenced the genome of a parasitoid wasp, C. chilonis, and revealed the features of trait loss in amino acid biosynthesis. Our work provides new insights into amino acid exploitation by parasitoid wasps, and this knowledge can specifically be used to design parasitoid artificial diets that potentially benefit mass rearing of parasitoids for pest control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patch exploitation strategies have received considerable attention since the development of the marginal value theorem. As an excellent biological research object, parasitoids have been extensively studied in regard to patch exploitation, including the effect of parasitoid states. Longevity and fecundity are state-dependent traits that may affect foraging decisions, oviposition behavior and patch residence time. We investigated the impact of Trichopria drosophilae (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) states on patch exploitation. As an important endoparasitic wasp in the Drosophila pupal stage, T. drosophilae has potential as a biological control agent. Our results demonstrate that female age, food availability and mating state modulated the patch residence time of T. drosophilae. In addition, the time taken for females to enter a patch was changed by oviposition experience, age, and food availability. Our results are consistent with models that predict that the patch exploitation strategy must be fundamentally dynamic in parasitoids. Differences between patch foraging behavior in wasps with different internal state can be explained by the maximum fitness they achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retusigaster Dangerfield, Austin & Whitfield, 1999 is a genus of the subfamily Cardiochilinae Ashmead, 1900 and exhibits high species richness in the New World. Eight species of the genus were recorded before this work: five species from the Nearctic region, two species from the Neotropical region, and one species from the Palearctic region. In this article, three new species of New World Retusigaster are described based on morphological characters: R. pulawskii sp. nov.; R. purshi sp. nov.; R. vanduzeei sp. nov. In addition, potential food sources of the members of R. arugosus (Mao, 1949) and R. purshi sp. nov. are reported, and an illustrated key to the New World species of Retusigaster is provided. The number of species of Retusigaster in the New World is increased from seven to ten. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The knowledge about the flower-visiting arthropods in high-altitude environments is limited, in particular about those occurring on early flowering plants. We characterised the flower visitor community of an early flowering high-altitude Alpine species: Androsace brevis, a vulnerable endemic plant belonging to the Primulaceae family, which grows in the Alps above 2000 m asl and flowers for a very short period immediately after snowmelt. In addition, we tested the effect of temperature, wind speed, and other variables on flower-visiting arthropod activity. We identified dipterans (in particular, anthomyiid flies) and hymenopterans (in particular, ants and parasitoid wasps) as the main flower visitors. Moreover, we assessed that temperature and time (hour of the day) affect the flower visitors' activity. Our study contributes to defining the composition of high-altitude Alpine flower-visiting arthropod communities and sets the stage for future evaluation of climate change effects on flower-visiting arthropods in high-altitude environments in the early season. In mountain ecosystems, climate change can cause spatiotemporal shifts, impacting the composition of communities and altering fundamental biotic interactions, such as those involving flower-visiting arthropods. On of the main problems in assessing the effects of climate change on arthropods in these environments is the lack of baseline data. In particular, the arthropod communities on early flowering high-altitude plants are poorly investigated, although the early season is a critical moment for possible mismatches. In this study, we characterised the flower-visiting arthropod community on the early flowering high-altitude Alpine plant, Androsace brevis (Primulaceae). In addition, we tested the effect of abiotic factors (temperature and wind speed) and other variables (time, i.e., hour of the day, and number of flowers per plant) on the occurrence, abundance, and diversity of this community. A. brevis is a vulnerable endemic species growing in the Central Alps above 2000 m asl and flowering for a very short period immediately after snowmelt, thus representing a possible focal plant for arthropods in this particular moment of the season. Diptera and Hymenoptera were the main flower visitors, and three major features of the community emerged: an evident predominance of anthomyiid flies among Diptera, a rare presence of bees, and a relevant share of parasitoid wasps. Temperature and time (hour of the day), but not wind speed and number of flowers per plant, affected the flower visitors' activity. Our study contributes to (1) defining the composition of high-altitude Alpine flower-visiting arthropod communities in the early season, (2) establishing how these communities are affected by environmental variables, and (3) setting the stage for future evaluation of climate change effects on flower-visiting arthropods in high-altitude environments in the early season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protective symbionts can provide effective and specific protection to their hosts. This protection can differ between different symbiont strains with each strain providing protection against certain components of the parasite and pathogen community their host faces. Protective symbionts are especially well known from aphids where, among other functions, they provide protection against different parasitoid wasps. However, most of the evidence for this protection comes from laboratory experiments.Our aim was to understand how consistent protection is across different symbiont strains under natural field conditions and whether symbiont diversity enhanced the species diversity of colonizing parasitoids, as could be expected from the specificity of their protection.We used experimental colonies of the black bean aphid Aphis fabae to investigate symbiont‐conferred protection under natural field conditions over two seasons. Colonies differed only in their symbiont composition, carrying either no symbionts, a single strain of the protective symbiont Hamiltonella defensa, or a mixture of three H. defensa strains. These aphid colonies were exposed to natural parasitoid communities in the field. Subsequently, we determined the parasitoids hatched from each aphid colony.The evidence for a protective effect of H. defensa was limited and inconsistent between years, and aphid colonies harbouring multiple symbiont strains did not support a more diverse parasitoid community. Instead, parasitoid diversity tended to be highest in the absence of H. defensa.Symbiont‐conferred protection, although a strong and repeatable effect under laboratory conditions may not always cause the predicted bottom‐up effects under natural conditions in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bracoviruses (BVs) are endogenized nudiviruses in parasitoid wasps of the microgastroid complex (family Braconidae). Microgastroid wasps have coopted nudivirus genes to produce replication-defective virions that females use to transfer virulence genes to parasitized hosts. The microgastroid complex further consists of six subfamilies and ;50,000 species but current understanding of BV gene inventories and organization primarily derives from analysis of two wasp species in the subfamily Microgastrinae (Microplitis demolitor and Cotesia congregata) that produce M. demolitor BV (MdBV) and C. congregata BV (CcBV). Notably, several genomic features of MdBV and CcBV remain conserved since divergence of M. demolitor and C. congregata ;53 million years ago (MYA). However, it is unknown whether these conserved traits more broadly reflect BV evolution, because no complete genomes exist for any microgastroid wasps outside the Microgastrinae. In this regard, the subfamily Cheloninae is of greatest interest because it diverged earliest from the Microgastrinae (;85 MYA) after endogenization of the nudivirus ancestor. Here, we present the complete genome of Chelonus insularis, which is an egg-larval parasitoid in the Cheloninae that produces C. insularis BV (CinsBV). We report that the inventory of nudivirus genes in C. insularis is conserved but are dissimilarly organized compared to M. demolitor and C. congregata. Reciprocally, CinsBV proviral segments share organizational features with MdBV and CcBV but virulence gene inventories exhibit almost no overlap. Altogether, our results point to the functional importance of a conserved inventory of nudivirus genes and a dynamic set of virulence genes for the successful parasitism of hosts. Our results also suggest organizational features previously identified in MdBV and CcBV are likely not essential for BV virion formation. IMPORTANCE Bracoviruses are a remarkable example of virus endogenization, because large sets of genes from a nudivirus ancestor continue to produce virions that thousands of wasp species rely upon to parasitize hosts. Understanding how these genes interact and have been coopted by wasps for novel functions is of broad interest in the study of virus evolution. This work characterizes bracovirus genome components in the parasitoid wasp Chelonus insularis, which together with existing wasp genomes captures a large portion of the diversity among wasp species that produce bracoviruses. Results provide new information about how bracovirus genome components are organized in different wasps while also providing additional insights on key features required for function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outbreaks of defoliating insects in low‐diversity tropical forests occur infrequently but provide valuable insights about outbreak ecology in temperate environments and in general. We investigated an extensive outbreak of the endemic koa moth (Scotorythra paludicola), which defoliated endemic koa trees (Acacia koa) over a third of their range on Hawai'i Island during 2013 and 2014. At Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, we observed the dynamics of the outbreak and its effects on host trees, nutrient cycling, and insectivorous consumers in reforestation stands of densely planted koa and in natural forest stands of mixed koa and 'ōhi'a (Metrosideros polymorpha). Contrary to predictions of the resource concentration hypothesis, caterpillar biomass and defoliation severity were greater in the natural forest sites, where koa density was relatively low. Caterpillars preferentially consumed the most palatable koa foliage type (phyllodes), and koa initially refoliated with the least palatable foliage type (true leaves). Lightly defoliated small trees refoliated more quickly than did heavily defoliated ones but the opposite was true for large trees, which also produced a greater proportion of phyllodes. Mortality was greatest for heavily defoliated small koa. Caterpillar frass caused larger increases in soil nitrogen (N) than phosphorus (P) availability, with the greatest N increases in fine‐textured soils. Foliar N increased in alien grasses under koa canopies compared to grasses away from koa and to native woody understory species. Bird activity was influenced by 'ōhi'a flower abundance and the severity of koa defoliation; birds switched to outbreaking caterpillar prey, and they gained weight during the outbreak. Bat foraging times decreased during the outbreak, apparently because they became satiated quickly each night. Parasitoid wasps increased with caterpillar abundance but had little influence on outbreak dynamics. Reducing alien grass cover and increasing tree diversity would likely reduce the impacts of insect outbreaks and similar perturbations to native forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was based on examination of specimens of the family Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea) deposited in Hayk Mirzayans Insect Museum. Totally thirteen species from eleven genera and seven subfamilies, including Braconinae (One genus – One species), Cardiochilinae (1-1), Doryctinae (1-4), Macrocernrinae (1-2) , Opiinae (2-2), Rhyssalinae (1-1), Rogadinae (1-2) were identified, of which six species including Biosteres spinaciaeformis Fischer, 1971, Heterospilus rubicola Fischer,1968, Utetes fulvicollis (Thomson, 1895), Aleiodes arcticus (Thomson, 1892), Macrocentrus turkestanicus (Telenga, 1950) and Rhyssalus longicaudis (Tobias & Belokobylskij, 1981) are new records for the Iranian braconid founa.

Venosomes are extracellular vesicles found in the venom of Leptopilina endoparasitoids wasps, which transport and target virulence factors to impair the parasitoid egg encapsulation by the lamellocytes of their Drosophila melanogaster host larva. Using the co-immunolocalization of fluorescent L. boulardi venosomes and one of the putative-transported virulence factors, LbGAP, with known markers of cellular endocytosis, we show that venosomes endocytosis by lamellocytes is not a process dependent on clathrin or macropinocytosis and internalization seems to bypass the early endosomal compartment Rab5. After internalization, LbGAP colocalizes strongly with flotillin-1 and the GPI-anchored protein Atilla/L1 (a lamellocyte surface marker) suggesting that entry occurs via a flotillin/lipid raft-dependent pathway. Once internalized, venosomes reach all intracellular compartments, including late and recycling endosomes, lysosomes, and the endoplasmic reticulum network. Venosomes therefore enter their target cells by a specific mechanism and the virulence factors are widely distributed in the lamellocytes’ compartments to impair their functions.

Aphids have evolved tight relationships with heritable endosymbionts, i.e., bacteria hosted within their tissues. Besides the primary endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola, aphids host many facultative secondary endosymbionts with functions they may or may not benefit from. The different phenologies, lifestyles, and natural enemies of aphid species are predicted to favor the selection for distinct endosymbiont assemblages, as well as the emergence of intra-specific genetic diversity in the symbiotic bacteria. In this study, we (1) investigated the diversity of endosymbionts associated with four species from the genus Aphis in the field, and (2) we characterized the genetic diversity of Hamiltonella defensa, an endosymbiont that protects aphids against parasitoid wasps. We observed strong differences in the composition of endosymbiont communities among the four aphid species. H. defensa was clearly the dominant symbiont, although its abundance in each species varied from 25 to 96%. Using a multilocus sequence-typing approach, we found limited strain diversity in H. defensa. Each aphid species harbored two major strains, and none appeared shared between species. Symbiont phylogenies can thus help to understand the (seemingly limited) mobility of endosymbionts in aphid communities and the selection forces driving strain diversification.

The alien invasive large cabbage white, Pieris brassicae (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pieridae), although introduced into South Africa more than 27 years ago, has not dramatically expanded its distribution, possibly because it is effectively attacked by two parasitoid wasp species. Even though there is a cohort of parasitoid species associated with P. brassicae in the Northern Hemisphere, these are the only two recorded parasitoids in South Africa. We determine these parasitoid wasps as Cotesia glomerata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Braconidae: Microgastrinae) and Pteromalus puparum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pteromalidae), and provide high resolution images and DNA barcodes to facilitate their recognition. This is the first record of C. glomerata from the Afrotropical region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese species of the genus Woldstedtius Carlson, 1979 are revised. Nine species are recorded from Japan, including two new species, W. alpicola sp. nov. and W. punctatus sp. nov. Woldstedtius biguttatus (Gravenhorst, 1829) is newly recorded from Japan. Taxonomic status of W. flavolineatus kuroashii (Uchida, 1957) is changed from the subspecies of W. flavolineatus (Gravenhorst, 1829) to a separated species. Woldstedtius holarcticus (Diller, 1969) is newly synonymized under W. kuroashii (Uchida, 1957). A key to Japanese species of this genus is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cereal aphids are known as serious pests that cause considerable yield losses of wheat production. In this study, cereal aphids and their common natural enemies inhabiting the commercial wheat crop were investigated between February and April 2013 as a preliminary study in the Hail region, northern Saudi Arabia. Results showed that wheat crops were infested by four aphid species including the Russian wheat aphid Diuraphis noxia Kurdjumov, the English grain aphid Sitobion avenae Fabricius, the bird cherry‐oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi L. and the greenbug aphid Schizaphis graminum Rondani (Homoptera: Aphididae). The Russian wheat aphid D. noxia, however, was the most abundant species compared to other aphid species, totaling 343 individuals which represented 39.80% of all cereal aphids. The results showed a diverse community of specialist natural enemies that were associated aphids including parasitoid wasps as a complex and one Braconid species Aphidius matricariae Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), three coccinellid species (Adonia variegate Goeze, Coccinella quinquepunctata L. and Coccinella septimpunctata L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), one species of lacewing Chrysopa sp. (adults & larvae) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and one species of hoverfly Eristalinus aeneus Scop. (adults and larvae) (Diptera: Syrphidae). This study, also, recorded a high abundance of polyphagous predators that included two species of ground beetles involving the black beetle Calosoma olivieri Dejean and Calosoma imbricatum Klug (Coleoptera: Carabidae), and spiders (Araneae) as generalist natural enemies of cereal aphids. In this article, population dynamics of captured cereal aphids and their common natural enemies, and their correlations will be described and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synopeas from New Guinea is revised, including 16 new species and four previously named species. The concepts for these species were developed in conjunction with a CO1 analysis that includes 16 New Guinean species and 3 Synopeas species from other regions. The molecular analysis determined that the New Guinea fauna does not form a clade, indicating multiple migrations. The following species are described and keyed: S. amandae Awad, sp. nov.; S. anunu Awad, sp. nov.; S. butterilli Buhl; S. codex Awad, sp. nov.; S. csoszi Buhl; S. kalubia Awad, sp. nov.; S. kiki Awad, sp. nov.; S. kira Awad, sp. nov.; S. klingunculum Awad, sp. nov.; S. luli Awad, sp. nov.; S. occultum Awad, sp. nov.; S. pattiae Awad, sp. nov.; S. psychotriae Buhl; S. pterocarpi Buhl; S. pulupulu Awad, sp. nov.; S. roncavei Awad, sp. nov.; S. sanga Awad, sp. nov.; S. toto Awad, sp. nov.; S. valavala Awad, sp. nov.; S. zhangi Awad, sp. nov. Leptacis pleuralis (Buhl), comb. nov. is transferred from Synopeas. Images of 56 holotypes of Synopeas are made publicly available online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A research was conducted to study the diversity of Hymenopteran parasitic wasps for the first time using sweeping, pan traps and Malaise traps net from March 2020 to March 2021 in the Shomali sub-district of Babylon Governorate, Iraq. A total number of 400 specimens were collected from different sites in Shomali sub-district. The results showed that six superfamilies of Hymenopteran parasitic wasps were recorded in this area year-round. The percentage of occurrence specimens were as follow: Chalcidoidea (41%), Ichneumonoidea (33%), Cynipoidea, Chrysidoidea (7%), Diaprioidea and Evanoidea (3 %). Five families of Chalcidoidea, Eulophidae, Pteromolidae, Eurytomidae, Chalcididae and Lecuspidae were present. In addition, two families of Ichneumonidea (Ichneumonidae and Braconidae), Chrysidoidea (Bethylidae and Chrysididae) and Evanoidea (Evaniidae and Gasteruptiidae) were recorded. However, one family of each superfamily Cynipoidea and Diaprioidea were recorded, Cynipidae and Diapriidae, respectively. In total 43 genera and 18 species of parasitic wasps were initially identified and need more work to confirm the species level. This first intensive survey indicated that the diversity of the parasitoid wasps occurred in the area of study. The results will improve our understand of the diversity of parasitoid wasps and help in the management of pest insect biologically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of the genera and morphospecies of Diapriidae (Insecta, Hymenoptera) in four habitats (stands) of eastern Mozambique, was studied. The genus Miota is recorded from the Afrotropical region for the first time. Overall, diapriids were represented by 52 morphospecies from 10 genera of the subfamilies Belytinae and Diapriinae. The highest occurrence (140 specimens) and the largest taxonomic diversity (42 morphospecies from 9 genera) were found for the diapriids in the native miombo stand (Brachystegia sp.), followed by the eucalypt, Eucalyptus spp., (92 specimens, 24 morphospecies from 8 genera), the loblolly pine, Pinus taeda, (62 specimens, 19 morphospecies from 7 genera), and the wild loquat (Uapaca kirkiana) stands (40 specimens, 14 morphospecies from 7 genera). The most morphospecies-rich genera were Basalys, Coptera and Trichopria (15, 14 and 7 morphospecies respectively), with Coptera being the most specimen-rich in all samples. The same diapriid morphospecies prevailed in all studied habitats. The abundance estimators ACE and Chao1 predicted 61 (60 in Chao1) species for miombo stand, that is nearly 3.0 times richer than the 22 species estimated for wild loquat, 2.1 (2.6) times richer than the 29 (23) species estimated for loblolly pine and 1.5 times richer than the 40 (39) species estimated for eucalypt. The diapriids of the exotic eucalypt and native miombo stands were most similar, and clustered together with diapriids of the exotic loblolly pine stand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Despite their ecological and economic importance, hymenopteran parasitoids are severely understudied. Even in countries with a long taxonomic history such as Germany, dating back to the 18th century and including prolific figures like Christian Gottfired Nees von Esenbeck and Otto Schmiedeknecht, those species-rich groups are seldom the subject of comprehensive research efforts, leaving their true diversity unknown. This is often due to their small size of a few millimetres on average, leading to difficulties in their identification and examination. The chalcidoid family Pteromalidae is no exception to this neglect. So far, 735 species have been reported from Germany. Estimating the diversity of this group is not possible, but it has to be assumed that many more species are still to be discovered in Germany. New information With this study, we improve the knowledge on pteromalid diversity and present new records of 17 genera and 41 species, previously unknown to occur in Germany. We also match and describe previously unknown sexes of two species, based on DNA barcode data. The results of this study were generated as part of the German Barcode of Life Project. The newly-recorded species are illustrated and notes on the biology and distribution are given. The ecological significance of Pteromalidae and potential value as indicators for nature conservation efforts are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bracoviruses are domesticated viruses found in parasitic wasp genomes. They are composed of genes of nudiviral origin that are involved in particle production and proviral segments containing virulence genes that are necessary for parasitism success. During particle production, proviral segments are amplified and individually packaged as DNA circles in nucleocapsids. These particles are injected by parasitic wasps into host larvae together with their eggs. Bracovirus circles of two wasp species were reported to undergo chromosomal integration in parasitized host hemocytes, through a conserved sequence named the host integration motif (HIM). Here, we used bulk Illumina sequencing to survey integrations of Cotesia typhae bracovirus circles in the DNA of its host, the maize corn borer (Sesamia nonagrioides), 7 days after parasitism. First, assembly and annotation of a high-quality genome for C. typhae enabled us to characterize 27 proviral segments clustered in proviral loci. Using these data, we characterized large numbers of chromosomal integrations (from 12 to 85 events per host haploid genome) for all 16 bracovirus circles containing a HIM. Integrations were found in four S. nonagrioides tissues and in the body of a caterpillar in which parasitism had failed. The 12 remaining circles do not integrate but are maintained at high levels in host tissues. Surprisingly, we found that HIMmediated chromosomal integration in the wasp germ line has occurred accidentally at least six times during evolution. Overall, our study furthers our understanding of wasp-host genome interactions and supports HIM-mediated chromosomal integration as a possible mechanism of horizontal transfer from wasps to their hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species of the genus Schizoprymnus Förster, 1863 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Brachistinae) from China are revised. Seven new species, namely S. carinatus Yan and Chen, sp. nov., S. glabratus Yan and Chen, sp. nov., S. liui Yan and Chen, sp. nov., S. parvidentatus Yan and van Achterberg, sp. nov., S. punctiscutellaris Yan and Chen, sp. nov., S. septentrionalis Yan and Chen, sp. nov., and S. subspinosus Yan and Chen, sp. nov. are described and illustrated. In addition, S. telengai Tobias, 1976 is reported for the first time from China. An updated key to the Chinese species of the genus Schizoprymnus is included.

Based on 261 female specimens of the genus Dipara Walker, 1833 from leaf litter samples of the Kakamega Forest in Kenya, we describe the following twelve new species: Dipara andreabalzerae sp. nov., Dipara corona sp. nov., Dipara fastigata sp. nov., Dipara kakamegensis sp. nov., Dipara lux sp. nov., Dipara nigroscutellata sp. nov., Dipara nyani sp. nov., Dipara reticulata sp. nov., Dipara rodneymulleni sp. nov., Dipara sapphirus sp. nov., Dipara tenebra sp. nov., and Dipara tigrina sp. nov. For Dipara albomaculata (Hedqvist, 1963) and Dipara nigrita Hedqvist, 1969, we give new distribution records. We examined the available type material of all described Dipara species from the Afrotropical mainland, i.e., Dipara albomaculata (Hedqvist, 1963), Dipara machadoi (Hedqvist, 1971), Dipara maculata (Hedqvist, 1963), Dipara nigrita Hedqvist, 1969, Dipara pallida (Hedqvist, 1969), Dipara punctulata (Hedqvist, 1969), Dipara saetosa (Delucchi, 1962), Dipara straminea (Hedqvist, 1969), Dipara striata (Hedqvist, 1969), and Dipara turneri Hedqvist, 1969. We provide figures, descriptions, and diagnoses of the newly described species and figures and diagnoses of the ten known species as well as an identification key to all species of the Afrotropical mainland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several species of the genus Aphidius are well known as commercial biocontrol agents of pest aphids, and more than 130 species of the genus have been recorded worldwide. To date, only 15 Aphidius species have been recorded in South Korea. Using the DNA barcode region (ca. 658 bp) of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), we amplified sequences of 15 Aphidius Korean species, aligned them in combination with 23 reference species retrieved from GenBank for comparison and identification, and then reconstructed a barcode phylogeny by the neighbour-joining method. As a result, three Aphidius species were found to be new to Science. Descriptions and illustrations of the three species new to Science -- Aphidius longicarpus sp. nov., A. longistigmus sp. nov., and A. asiaticus sp. nov. -- are provided, together with their phylogenetic position within the genus Aphidius. In addition, a redescription of A. areolatus, a parasitoid of maple aphids (Peryphillus spp.), is also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hidden diversity and interactions of gall midges (Cecidomyiidae), their associated microfungal symbiont(s), and parasitoid wasps in temperate saltmarshes have been little studied in Australia. Over a period of two years, we investigated the gall-associated communities of the dominant saltmarsh plants, Tecticornia arbuscula and Salicornia quinqueflora, across south-eastern Australian coastal and inland salt-lake sites. We discovered that i) many gall midge species are more widely distributed than previously thought; ii) co-distribution of species affecting different plant organs on the same host is also widespread; iii) diversity of gall midges (6 species previously named; 5 species identified here as new) and parasitoid wasps (17 sp. prov.) is likely higher than we uncovered; iv) parasitoid wasps associated with gall midges belonged to diverse lineages and appear to be widespread generalists; v) while the microfungus usually associated with most Cecidomyiinae larval chambers is Botryosphaeria dothidea, we discovered a provisional new species of Botryosphaeria associated with a novel Asphondylia sp. in western South Australia. We also show that targeted amplicon sequencing is a valuable tool for investigating all components of multi-trophic level systems. Our research has contributed to a greater understanding of the basic biology of gall midge interactions within temperate saltmarsh ecosystems in southern Australia, and highlights the value of investigating all trophic levels in these complex interactions simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of leaf-mining moth described here as Micrurapteryx baranchikovi Kirichenko, Akulov & Triberti, sp. nov. was detected in large numbers feeding on Thermopsis lanceolata (Fabaceae) in the Republic of Khakassia (Russia) in 2020. A morphological diagnosis of adults, bionomics and DNA barcoding data of the new species are provided. The developmental stages (larva, pupa, adult), male and female genitalia, as well as the leaf mines and the infestation plot in Khakassia are illustrated; the pest status of the new species in the studied region is discussed. Additionally, parasitism rate was estimated, the parasitoid wasps reared from pupae of the new species were identified (morphologically and genetically) and illustrated . Among them, one ichneumonid, Campoplex sp. aff. borealis (Zetterstedt) and two braconids, Agathis fuscipennis (Zetterstedt) and Illidops subversor (Tobias et Kotenko), are novel records for the Republic of Khakassia. Furthermore, they are all documented as parasitoids of Gracillariidae for the first time. The DNA barcode of A. fuscipennis is newly obtained and can be used as a reference sequence for species identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Scelionid wasps are arthropod egg parasitoids, many of which are relevant to global biosecurity. However, the scelionid fauna of Germany has not received much attention from professional taxonomists. New information: Eleven species and four genera are recorded for the first time from Germany, including species of interest to agriculture and biological control. First genus records include Baryconus Förster, Macroteleia Westwood, Paratelenomus Dodd and Probaryconus Kieffer. First species records include B. europaeus (Kieffer), Idris nigroclavatus (Kieffer), Idris semiflavus (Kieffer), M. bicolora Kieffer, M. pannonica Szabo, Paratelenomus saccharalis (Dodd), Trimorus varicornis (Walker), Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston), Trissolcus belenus (Walker), Trissolcus colemani (Crawford) and Trissolcus flavipes (Thompson). COI barcodes are identified for the first time from B. europaeus and M. bicolora. Each species is illustrated and updated world distributions are provided. Implications for agriculture are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A box with Ichneumonidae collected by the Belgian entomologist Adolphe Crèvecoeur was thoroughly analysed. One hundred and nine specimens from a total of 127 (85%) are identified to species level. Sixty three species are reported, with 12 being new for the Belgian fauna. Rearing records of Bathyplectes cingulatus (Brischke, 1880), Lathrolestes macropygus (Holmgren, 1857), Scambus buolianae (Hartig, 1838) and Scambus pomorum (Ratzeburg, 1848) are new for science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A particularly conspicuous morphological feature in chalcidoid wasps are strikingly modified legs present in both males and females. It evolved convergently multiple times on either fore or hind legs implying strong evolutionary pressure and a prominent function in the wasps' life history. We investigate the external and internal morphology of the modified legs of five species of chalcidoid wasps representing four families (Ooderidae, Heydeniidae, Chalcididae, and Leucospidae), using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and micro computed tomography. We aimed to identify shared characteristics as well as differences between genera/species, leg pairs and sexes and to draw first conclusions about the shared or different functions. All species and sexes share the same general leg morphology, with enlarged femur, curved tibia and a huge flexor tibiae muscle. However, there are also genus/species-specific differences such as distinctive spine-like setae on the femur of Oodera spp., or leg pair-specific differences in the position of the extensor tibiae muscle. Shared characteristics imply a common primary function in which strong forces are required to pull the tibia against the femur while differences imply different secondary functions. Both primary and secondary functions have yet to be revealed beyond informed speculations. [Display omitted] • Convergently evolved modified legs in chalcidoid wasps harbour enlarged musculature. • 3D visualisation of modified legs in Chalcidoidea. • All legs have enlarged femur, curved tibia, small joints and a huge flexor tibiae. • Common primary function of grasping, different still unknown secondary functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The reproductive barriers that prevent gene flow between closely related species are a major topic in evolutionary research. Insect clades with parasitoid lifestyle are among the most species‐rich insects and new species are constantly described, indicating that speciation occurs frequently in this group. However, there are only very few studies on speciation in parasitoids. We studied reproductive barriers in two lineages of Lariophagus distinguendus (Chalcidoidea: Hymenoptera), a parasitoid wasp of pest beetle larvae that occur in human environments. One of the two lineages occurs in households preferably attacking larvae of the drugstore beetle Stegobium paniceum (“DB‐lineage”), the other in grain stores with larvae of the granary weevil Sitophilus granarius as main host (“GW‐lineage”). Between two populations of the DB‐lineage, we identified slight sexual isolation as intraspecific barrier. Between populations from both lineages, we found almost complete sexual isolation caused by female mate choice, and postzygotic isolation, which is partially caused by cytoplasmic incompatibility induced by so far undescribed endosymbionts which are not Wolbachia or Cardinium. Because separation between the two lineages is almost complete, they should be considered as separate species according to the biological species concept. This demonstrates that cryptic species within parasitoid Hymenoptera also occur in Central Europe in close contact to humans.

In this research, the fauna of parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) was studied in 14 forest regions in Mazandaran province (northern Iran) during 2010-2016. The sampled areas were: Fin Forest Park in Chalus, Dohezar and Sehezar Forests in Tonekabon, Mirza-Kochak-Khan Forest Park in Amol, Dalkhani Forest in Ramsar, Lajim Forest in Sari, Shahid Zare Forest Park in Sari, Khoshroudpey Forest in Galogah, Palang-Darreh in Shirgah, Urim Forest in Savadkooh, Telar Forest Park in Qaemshahr, Asal-Mahalleh in Ramsar, Javarem Forest Park in Zirab, Pahneh-Kola Village in Sari, and Seyed Abusaleh Village in Qaemshahr. In total, 85 parasitoid species within 67 genera and eight families, Braconidae (23 species, 15 genera), Chalcididae (two species, two genera), Chrysididae (four species, three genera), Encyrtidae (six species, six genera), Eulophidae (two species, two genera), Ichneumonidae (41 species, 33 genera), Mymaridae (single species) and Pteromalidae (six species, five genera) were collected and identified. Seven species, Aleiodes pallidicornis (Herrich-Schäffer, 1838), Apanteles parasitellae (Bouché 1834) (Braconidae), Cryptus moschator (Fabricius, 1787), Gelis karakurti (Rossikov, 1904) (Ichneumonidae), Mokrzeckia menzeli Subba Rao, 1981, Solenura ania (Walker, 1846), Solenura nigra (Walker, 1872) (Pteromalidae) are new records for the fauna of Iran.

Some conservation units in Brazil border urban areas, like the Catolé and Fernão Velho Environmental Protection Area (EPA) in the State of Alagoas. In urban areas, there is the habit of cultivating plants for landscape purposes, and Syagrus coronata (Martius) Beccari (Arecaceae), “Licuri” or “Ouricuri”, is a palm tree commonly used in ornamentation; a native species from Caatinga and Atlantic Forest biomes widely explored through time. Some insects have part of their development associated with plants, and Pachymerus nucleorum Fabricius (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) has a close connection with some Arecaceae. Females usually lay eggs on the surface of fallen fruits and the immatures feed on the seed under the drupe endocarp; the larvae, even protected by the hard surface could be preyed by skilled parasitoid wasps. Here, the record of a tritrophic relationship between S. coronata, P. nucleorum, and a wasp of the genus Heterospilus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in an urbanized region of Alagoas, close to a remnant of Atlantic Forest of the Catolé and Fernão Velho EPA is communicated. Fruits were collected from the soil surface under the canopy of Licuri palms in the “Universidade Federal de Alagoas” A. C. Simões Campus and transported for laboratory monitoring. Either adults of Heterospilus parasitoid wasps and P. nucleorum beetles from some fruits were recorded. The specimens of S. coronata had seeds preyed upon by P. nucleorum close to a remnant of the Atlantic Forest. The record of a tritrophic relationship involving Heterospilus seems to indicate the tenacity of natural biological control.

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The Pteromalus albipennis species group currently comprises 29 Palaearctic parasitoid wasp species associated with tephritid fly larvae developing in flower heads of Asteraceae. The species group is taxonomically challenging, because its putative species are morphologically extremely similar to each other except for some conspicuous differences in gaster length, which is a reliable proxy for the ovipositor length. Ovipositor length dictates the accessibility of host larvae to the parasitoid female and thus largely determines the host range of a species. In this study, we infer the phylogenetic relationships of currently recognized species of the P. albipennis species group by analyzing the nucleotide sequences of 124 protein‐coding genes spanning more than 310,000 bp. The data were analyzed by applying the maximum likelihood optimality criterion (concatenated sequence data) as well as a multispecies coalescent approach (analyzing gene trees). Based on the inferred species trees, we (a) re‐evaluate previous species hypotheses in comparison with the new phylogenomic results and (b) assess whether or not ovipositor length variation is phylogenetically constrained. Our results show some incongruence between morphology‐based and phylogenomics‐based species delimitations and suggest the existence of paraphyletic species. Furthermore, our study suggests that ovipositor length is no reliable predictor of phylogenetic relatedness, but a labile trait, possibly reflecting rapid evolution of host range differences. Taxonomic ambiguities and the scarce knowledge on the biology of the analyzed species highlight the difficulties of studying parasitoid wasps, even in the Western Palaearctic, and despite the application of integrative taxonomics approaches (i.e., the use of hundreds of genes for taxonomy). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world species of the microgastrine genus Paroplitis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are revised. Three new species are described, P. horticola Fujie & Fernandez-Triana, sp. nov. and P. japonicus Fujie & Fernandez-Triana, sp. nov. from Japan and P. kakhetiensis Fujie, Japoshvili & Fernandez-Triana, sp. nov. from Georgia. P. vietnamensis van Achterberg & Fernandez-Triana, 2013 is re-described, based on additional specimens. P. wesmaeli Ruthe, 1860 is recorded from Georgia for the first time. A key to the nine known species (eight described and one undescribed) of the genus is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasites and pathogens are crucial in shaping immune systems. Many animals and especially insects have outsourced part of their immune function to protective symbionts. There is good evidence that, akin to immune systems, parasites shape the occurrence and diversity of protective symbionts and that likewise, protective symbionts can shape the occurrence and diversity of parasites. Such a relationship should result in a correlation between symbiont and parasite diversity in nature. Aphids are well known for possessing symbionts that provide specific and effective protection against parasitoid wasps. We compared symbiont and parasitoid diversity across multiple populations of different aphid species of the genus Aphis and their parasitoid wasps. The diversity of protective symbionts and parasitoids was indeed positively associated. Even though this association was very noisy, it is in line with the hypothesis that parasitoids and symbionts promote each other's diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The genus Monoctonus Haliday, 1833 is a small group which consists of 24 species worldwide. In South Korea, Chang and Youn (1983) recorded one species, M.similis Starý & Schlinger, 1967, but the evidence for identification of this species is doubtful and further confirmation is required (personal communication with Prof. Jong-Cheol Paik)., New Information: An additional Monoctonus species is recorded as new to science from South Korea. Descriptions and illustrations of the new species - Monoctonuskoreanus sp. nov. - are provided, together with its mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I ( COI ) data and phylogenetic position. A key to the female of the two species present in Korea is provided., (Sangjin Kim, Jelisaveta Čkrkić, Željko Tomanović, Ju-Hyeong Sohn, Jongok Lim, Hyojoong Kim.)

Background: The genus Trioxys Haliday, 1833 consists of more than 80 species worldwide with three species being recorded in South Korea. In this study, we report the first observation of the two additional species, T.liui Chou & Chou, 1993 from Takecallisarundinariae (Essig, 1917) on Phyllostachysbambusoides Siebold & Zucc., 1843 and T.remaudierei Starý & Rakhshani, 2017 from T.taiwana (Takahashi, 1926) on Sasaborealis (Hack.) Makino & Shibata, 1901., New Information: Trioxysliui and T.remaudierei are described and reported with phototographs of the diagnostic morphological characters and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I ( COI ) data (barcode region) and Bayesian tree of the phylogenetic analysis amongst the closely-related taxa are provided., (Sangjin Kim, Juhyeong Sohn, Hyojoong Kim.)

We report new faunistic records of Pimpla Fabricius, 1804 from Uruguay. The following species are reported from the country for the first time: P. albomarginata Cameron, 1846, P. caerulea Brullé, 1846, P. perssoni Gauld, 1991, and P. semirufa Brullé, 1846. In addition, we propose a replacement name for Pimpla rufipes Brullé, 1846 and provide diagnosis, digital images, and an identification key for all the Pimpla species known to occur in Uruguay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The genus Aphidius is commercially important species in greenhouse for control pests. • Aphidius is consist of 127 species over the world, while 13 species in South Korea. • COI barcoding could identify Aphidius spp. except for three species into a clade. • We found and confirmed two unrecorded species, Aphidius funebris and Aphidius sonchi. The genus Aphidius is one of the most commercially important species in greenhouse for controlling pests, especially aphids. Although 13 Aphidius species had been recorded in South Korea, it was not carefully surveyed yet. In this study, we surveyed and collected 8 Aphidius spp. including two unrecorded species. Using the DNA barcode region of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), sequences were newly generated for 16 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) of 8 species, except for 15 duplicates, in addition of 58 MOTUs of 18 species referred from GenBank for comparison and identification, which were reconstructed in a barcode phylogeny with Neighbor-Joining method. Then, to define each species, both Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) and Bayesian Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP) analyses were performed. As results, although most of Aphidius spp. could be identified by clustering into a clade, we recognized that three Aphdius species were placed in a clade, of which each species was not separated as an independent species. Our data suggested that those species demonstrating a species complex were able to be hypothesized as one species. In addition, diagnoses and illustrations of the two newly recorded species in South Korea were provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects utilize diverse food resources which can affect the evolution of their genomic repertoire, including leading to gene losses in different nutrient pathways. Here, we investigate gene loss in amino acid synthesis pathways, with special attention to hymenopterans and parasitoid wasps. Using comparative genomics, we find that synthesis capability for tryptophan, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and histidine was lost in holometabolous insects prior to hymenopteran divergence, while valine, leucine, and isoleucine were lost in the common ancestor of Hymenoptera. Subsequently, multiple loss events of lysine synthesis occurred independently in the Parasitoida and Aculeata. Experiments in the parasitoid Cotesia chilonis confirm that it has lost the ability to synthesize eight amino acids. Our findings provide insights into amino acid synthesis evolution, and specifically can be used to inform the design of parasitoid artificial diets for pest control.