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7. M. insidiosus (Mercet, 1921) (Figs. 3g –i) Material examined:Almere-Verzetswijk, Coordinates: 52.380, 5.239, 1 female, 1 male, yellow pan trap, 29.05.2019, Leg. P.H. Hoekstra., Published as part of Japoshvili, George & Soethof, Rudy, 2022, New records of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from the Netherlands with a description of new species, pp. 549-563 in Zootaxa 5155 (4) on page 551, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5155.4.5, http://zenodo.org/record/6691609

Genus Metaphycus Mercet, 1917 78. Metaphycus asterolecanii (Mercet, 1923) (Guerrieri & Noyes, 2000, 2005). 79. M. chermis (Fonscolombe, 1832) (Guerrieri & Noyes, 2000, 2005). 80. M. flavovarius (Mercet, 1921) (Gijswijt, 2003). 81. M. helvolus (Compere, 1926) (Gijswijt, 2003). 82. M. lounsburyi (Howard, 1898) (Jourdheuil 1986; Noyes & Hayat 1994). Comment: The species was recorded as M. bartletti from Netherlands. 83. M. melanostomatus (Timberlake, 1916) (Gijswijt, 2003). 84. M. nadius (Walker, 1838) (Guerrieri & Noyes, 2000, 2005). 85. M. pappus (Walker, 1838) (Guerrieri & Noyes, 2000, 2005). 86. M. stagnarum Hoffer, 1954 (Guerrieri & Noyes, 2000, 2005). 87. M. zebratus (Mercet) (Guerrieri & Noyes, 2000, 2005)., Published as part of Japoshvili, George & Soethof, Rudy, 2022, New records of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from the Netherlands with a description of new species, pp. 549-563 in Zootaxa 5155 (4) on page 562, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5155.4.5, http://zenodo.org/record/6691609

6. Metaphycus dispar (Mercet, 1925) (Figs. 3d–f) Material examined: Doetinchem-De Zumpe, Coordinates: 51.958, 6.315, 1 female, sweeping net, 02.06.2021, Leg. Rudy Soethof. The sample is lost., Published as part of Japoshvili, George & Soethof, Rudy, 2022, New records of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from the Netherlands with a description of new species, pp. 549-563 in Zootaxa 5155 (4) on page 551, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5155.4.5, http://zenodo.org/record/6691609

1. Autoparasitoids are intraguild consumers that attack and kill heterospecific and conspecific parasitoids as well as immature stages of hemipteran hosts, such as aphids, whiteflies and soft scales. Field experiments assessing the importance of interspecific competition between autoparasitoids and primary parasitoids, as well as its impact on herbivore suppression, are scarcely found in the ecological literature. 2. Using field data from 40 olive orchards, this study examined the mechanisms that regulate: (i) the interspecific competition between primary parasitoids of the genus Metaphycus and the autoparasitoid Coccophagus lycimnia; and (ii) the density of their shared herbivore host, the soft scale Saissetia oleae. 3. Metaphycus parasitoids used smaller hosts than C. lycimnia, yet did not outcompete C. lycimnia. On the other hand, C. lycimnia preferred to use Metaphycus females as secondary hosts for producing males rather than their own females. This preference might explain why the autoparasitoid negatively affected the density of the primary parasitoids. 4. Parasitism by the autoparasitoid C. lycimnia at the beginning of the season was the sole variable positively related to host mortality throughout the season, showing its greater effect on herbivore suppression. 5. In this study, an autoparasitoid, inferior at resource exploitation, was shown to outcompete a primary parasitoid without disrupting herbivore suppression. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

* Metaphycus eriococci (Timberlake, 1916) [Encyrtidae] (Fig. 3–4) Aphycus eriococci Timberlake, 1916: 631. Female, USA. Diagnosis. Female. Body 0.7–0.9 mm long, orange to brown. F1–F4 dark brown, F5–F6 brownish yellow, clava dark brown; F1–F4 subequal in length, each segment about 0.7× as long as wide; scape slightly expanded, 3–4× as long as broad. Maxillary and labial palpi three-segmented. Legs usually pale yellow; mid tibia and hind tibia with faintly brown mark. Fore wing hyaline, linea calva interrupted; venation yellow-brown; hind wing hyaline. Ovipositor slightly projecting, 4–5× as long as gonostylus. Male. Body 0.7–0.8 mm long, dark brown; very similar to the female except for antenna and genitalia. Material examined. Korea. GG: 476 Dongtanjiseong-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si (37°14′5.8″N / 127°2′53.5″E), 3 females and 5 males, ex . A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 6-VI-2014 (S.J. Suh); same locality, 1 female and 6 males, ex. A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 26-VI-2014 (S.J. Suh); 126 Suin-ro, Gwonseon-gu, Suwon-si, 1 female, ex. A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 18-VI-2014 (S.J. Suh); 10 Taejangro 54beon-gil, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, 1 female, ex. A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 9-X-2014 (S.J. Suh). CN: Techno 4-ro, Ryuseong-gu, Daejeon-si, 11 females and 9 males, ex . A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 31-V-2014 (B.J. Lee). GB: 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu-si (35°53′26.5″N / 128°37′12.3″E), 26 females and 6 males, ex. A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 31-V-2014 (S.J. Suh); same locality, 65 females and 15 males, ex. A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 6-VII-2014 (S.J. Suh); same locality, 42 females and 9 males, ex. A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 27-VII-2014 (S.J. Suh). GN: 592-15 Hadan-dong, Saha-gu, Busansi, 2 females and 5 males, ex. A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 13-VI-2014 (S.J. Suh); Yongdusan park (35°06′03.28″N / 129°01′59.88″E), 1 male, ex. A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 14-VI-2014 (S.J. Suh); Yokjido (34°38′17.8″N / 128°16′31.1″E), 1 female and 3 males, ex. A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 16-IX-2014 (S.J. Suh); 1074-2 Mulgeon-ri, Samdong-myeon, Naehae-gun (34°47′53.7″N / 128°2′33.2″E), 2 males, ex. A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 16-IX-2014 (S.J. Suh); Minam-ri, Sanyang-eup, Tongyeong-si (34°46′7.7″N / 128°24′0.7″E), 6 females and 8 males, ex. A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 17-IX-2014 (S.J. Suh). JN: 60 Geurin-ro, Geumcheon-myeon, Naju-si, 4 females and 5 males, ex. A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 26-V- 2014 (S.J. Suh); Baeksa-ri, Gongsan-myeon, Naju-si, 16 females and 1 male, ex. A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 27-V-2014 (S.J. Suh). JJ: Susan-ri, Awol-eup, Jeju-si, 6 females and 5 males, ex. A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 20-V-2014 (S.J. Suh); Topyeong-dong, Seogwipo-si, 1 male, ex. A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 20-V-2014 (S.J. Suh); 293-28 Ieodo-ro, Seogwipo-si, 1 male, ex. A. lagerstroemiae on L. indica, 20-V-2014 (S.J. Suh). Distribution. China, USA (Wang et al. 2014; Noyes 2018); Korea *. Hosts. Coccidae: Coccus hesperidum. Eriococcidae: Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae, A. quercus (Noyes 2018). Remarks. This species is recorded for the first time in Korea., Published as part of Suh, Soo-Jung, 2019, Notes on some parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) associated with Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae (Kuwana) (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) in the Republic of Korea, pp. 1-5 in Insecta Mundi 690 on pages 2-4, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3670468, {"references":["Timberlake, P. H. 1916. Revision of the parasitic hymenopterous insects of the genus Aphycus Mayr, with notes of some related genera. Proceedings of the United States National Museum 50: 561 - 640.","Wang, Y., C. D. Li, and Y. Z. Zhang. 2014. A taxonomic study of Chinese species of the insidiosus group of Metaphycus (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae). ZooKeys 378: 49 - 81.","Noyes, J. S. 2018. Universal Chalcidoidea Database; World Wide Web electronic publication. Available at http: // www. nhm. ac. uk / chalcidoids. (Last accessed December 2018.)"]}

Metaphycus nadius (W ALKER, 1838) M a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d: Guilan province, km 12 Talesh - Asalem (Hotel Hod Hod), 1♀, 1♂, 3.vi.2011. G e n e r a l d i s t r i b u t i o n: Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, UK, former USSR., Published as part of Samin, Najmeh, A, Vladimir, A, Sergei & Sakenin, Hamid, 2018, New records of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Iran, pp. 1563-1568 in Linzer biologische Beiträge 50 (2) on page 1565, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5277555

[ES] En el cultivo de los cítricos existen numerosas especies de artrópodos fitófagos que pueden causar daños de importancia económica al cultivo. Entre ellas, se encuentran los hemípteros de la familia Coccidae, como Coccus hesperidum, C. pseudomagnoliarum, Protopulvinaria pyriformis, Saissetia oleae, Saissetia coffeae, entre otros. Las poblaciones de estos fitófagos se encuentran controladas de forma natural, evitando que se alcance el nivel de plaga, por los enemigos naturales, destacando entre ello como más importantes los himenópteros Encyrtidae del género Metaphycus (Himenóptera: Encyrtidae). Metaphycus helvolus, M. flavus y M. lounsburyi, son las tres especies del género Metaphycus más abundantes en parcelas de cítricos en la Península Ibérica. En el presente trabajo, se estudió la evolución estacional, la distribución geográfica, la abundancia absoluta y relativa, de M. helvolus, M. flavus y M. lounsburyi, en base a seguimientos semanales en trampas amarillas en 17 parcelas en 2015 y en 10 en 2016, distribuidos por toda la zona citrícola del este y del sur de la Península Ibérica, integradas en los programas de Red de Monitoreo Online (Bayer) y Food Chain Partnership. Metaphycus helvolus, fue la especie más abundante representando el 67.8 % respecto del total, seguido de M. flavus con 23.7 % y, por último, M. lounsburyi con un 2.31 %. En cuanto a la evolución estacional, las especies M. helvolus y M. flavus, estuvieron presentes a lo largo de todo el periodo de estudio, intensificándose entre los meses de junio a septiembre, mientras que, la especie M. lounsburyi estuvo presente entre los meses de junio a agosto, principalmente. Se observó, una pauta definida de evolución geográfica, siendo M. helvolus y M. lounsburyi más abundantes en las zonas del norte, mientras que M. flavus, fue más abundantes en las comarcas del Sur. Se escribe y se aportan datos biológicos sobre una posible nueva especie de Metaphycus denominada Metaphycus? gilvus en el Continente Europeo., [EN] In citrus there are numerous species of phytophagous arthropods that can cause economic damage to this crop. Among them, there are the order Hemiptera of the family Coccidae such as Coccus hesperidum, C. pseudomagnoliarum, Protopulvinaria pyriformis, Saissetia oleae, Saissetia coffeae ¿ etc. The populations of these phytophages are controlled in a natural way, preventing the status of pest from being reached, by natural enemies, among which the Hymenoptera Encyrtidae of the genus Metaphycus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) stand out as more important. Metaphycus helvolus, M. flavus and M. lounsburyi, are the three most abundant species of Metaphycus in citrus orchards in the Iberian Peninsula, being the main and most effective species, used for the biological control of soft scales. In the present work, the seasonal evolution, geographic distribution, absolute and relative abundance of M. helvolus, M. flavus and M. lounsburyi were studied, based on weekly traps in yellow traps in 17 plots in 2015 and in 10 in 2016, distributed throughout the citrus area of the east and south of the Iberian Peninsula, integrated into the Online Monitoring Network (Bayer) and Food Chain Partnership programs. Metaphycus helvolus, was the most abundant species representing 67.8% of the total, followed by M. flavus with 23.7% and, finally, M. lounsburyi with 2.31%. Regarding the seasonal evolution, the species M. helvolus and M. flavus, were present throughout the study period, intensifying between the months of June to September, while, the species M. lounsburyi was present among the months from June to August, mainly. A definite pattern of geographical evolution was observed, with M. helvolus and M. lounsburyi being more abundant in the northern areas, while M. flavus was more abundant in the southern regions. Is written and provided with biological data on a possible new species of Metaphycus called Metaphycus? gilvus in the European Continent.

Metaphycus prengoi sp. nov. (Figs 8–12) Description. Female (Holotype). Length, 1.3 mm. Body mostly orange and the following parts brown: lower half of gena, a stripe along anterior margin of mesoscutum, metanotum, dorsum of gaster (particularly T1); antenna (Fig. 8) with scape yellowish with a subapical brown rhomboidal spot not reaching the ventral margin, base of pedicel brown, apex yellowish, funicular segments brown fading to pale brown towards apex (so that F5–F6 appear distinctly paler than preceding ones), clava brown save paler apex; forewing (Fig. 9) strongly infuscate with a paler transversal stripe in the middle just after post marginal vein; venation (Fig. 9) dark brown; legs yellow, all tibiae with joints brown, and each with 2 incomplete dark rings, fore and mid tarsi brown (paler at base), hind tarsi yellowish darker at apex. Head about 4× as wide as frontovertex; ocelli forming an acute angle of about 30°; antenna (Fig. 8) with scape about 5× as long as broad, F1 subquadrate and about 0.33× as long as pedicel; clava slightly truncate at apex; linear sensilla on F5 and F6 and on clava. Palpi formula: 3-3. Relative measurements: HW 50, FV 12, POL 4, OOL 2, OCL 4, OD 2, SL 24, SW 5. Mesoscutum 1.6 × as wide as long, with notaular lines complete, almost reaching its posterior part, a little shorter than scutellum (12:13); forewing (Fig. 9) about 2.8× as long as broad; postmarginal vein (Fig. 10) absent; marginal vein 0.25× stigmal vein. Relative measurements: FWL 120, FWW 42, MV 2, SV 2. Gaster with ovipositor (Fig. 11) distinctly exserted. Paratype: hypopygium (Fig. 11) 2.25 × as wide as long; ovipositor (Fig. 12) about 1.7× as long as mid tibia and 4× gonostylus. Relative measurements: MT 70, OL 120, GL 30. Male. Unknown. Variation. Very little in the material at hand. One female has body largely suffused with brown. Length ranges from 1.2–1.4 mm. Hosts. Eulecanium sp. (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on Amygdalus lycoides Spach (Rosaceae). Distribution. Iran. Material examined. Holotype ♀, Iran, Kermanshah province, Kermanshah, 34°24'N 47°08'E, 12.vi.2009, ex Eulecanium sp. (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on Amygdalus lycioides (Rosaceae), K. Jalilvand leg. Paratypes: 4 ♀, same data as holotype. Holotype and 3 paratypes will be deposited at NHM; 1 paratype will be deposited at DEZA. Comments. Metaphycus prengoi belongs to the insidiosus species group and is very similar to M. eruptor (with which shares the well exserted ovipositor) and to M. petitus (with which shares the complete notaular lines). The female of M. prengoi can be separated from those two species by having all tibiae with 2 incomplete dark rings (immaculate in eruptor and petitus). In addition, they can be separated from that of eruptor by having F1 similar in length to F2 (in eruptor F1 distinctly shorter than remaining segments), linear sensilla only on F5–F6 (in eruptor linear sensilla on F2 to F6) and thorax with notaular lines complete (reaching halfway in eruptor). It can be separated from petitus by the shorter scape (3× as long as wide versus 5×)., Published as part of Guerrieri, Emilio & Ghahari, Hassan, 2018, New records, descriptions and notes on Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Iran, pp. 316-326 in Zootaxa 4444 (3) on pages 319-320, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4444.3.6, http://zenodo.org/record/1309713

New additions to the Iranian fauna are reported. Three new species of Encyrtidae, Anagyrus osmoi sp. nov., Metaphycus prengoi sp. nov., and Microterys obricoi sp. nov., are described. Three new records, Anagyrus saccharicola Timberlake, 1932, Copidosoma filicorne (Dalman, 1820) and Paranathrix acanthococci (Myartseva, 1977) and one note are reported.

105. Metaphycus punctipes (Dalman, 1820) Host associations in Iran. Parthenolecanium sp. (OILB 1971), Eulecanim coryli [E. tiliae] on quince tree (Ebrahimi 1993, 2014), Sphaerolecanium prunastri on Amygdalus (Esfandiari et al. 2005). Distribution in Iran. Iran (OILB 1971), Chaharmahal & Bakhtiyari (Ebrahimi 1993, 2014; Esfandiari et al. 2005). General distribution. Palaearctic region., Published as part of Fallahzadeh, Majid & Japoshvili, George, 2017, An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4344 (1) on page 21, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1042219, {"references":["OILB (1971) Liste d'identification des entomophages. Fol. 8. OILB, Geneve, 64 pp. [Ent. Library - Bound with volume 11 of Entomophaga]","Ebrahimi, E. (1993) An introduction to the new six parasitoid wasps for the fauna of Iran. Journal of Entomological Society of Iran, 12 / 13, 25.","Esfandiari, H., Radjabi, G., Shojaee, M., Ebrahimi, E, Bagheri, M. & Ostovan, H. (2005) Investigation on the natural enemies of Sphaerolecanium prunastri Fonsc. on almond in Shahrekord, Iran. IF International Symposium on Pistachio & Almond, 22 - 25 May 2005 Tehran, Iran, pp. 23."]}

91. Metaphycus anneckei Guerrieri & Noyes, 2000 Host associations in Iran. Unknown from Iran. Distribution in Iran. Iran (Guerrieri & Noyes 2000). General distribution. Cosmopolitan., Published as part of Fallahzadeh, Majid & Japoshvili, George, 2017, An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4344 (1) on page 19, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1042219, {"references":["Guerrieri, E. & Noyes, J. S. (2000) Revision of European species of genus Metaphycus Mercet (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae), parasitoids of scale insects. Systematic Entomology, 25, 147 - 222. https: // doi. org / 10.1046 / j. 1365 - 3113.2000.00099. x"]}

103. Metaphycus parthenolecanii Japoshvili, 2015 Host associations in Iran. Parthenolecanium corni on Juglans regia and Prunus spp. (Japoshvili et al. 2015), Eulecanium tiliae on Prunus dulcis (Fallahzadeh et al. 2016). Distribution in Iran. Kermanshah (Japoshvili et al. 2015), Fars (Fallahzadeh et al. 2016). General distribution. Endemic to Iran., Published as part of Fallahzadeh, Majid & Japoshvili, George, 2017, An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4344 (1) on page 20, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1042219, {"references":["Japoshvili, G., Jalilvand, K., Vahedi, H. A. & Fallahzadeh, M. (2015) Metaphycus parthenolecanii sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a parasitoid of Parthenolecanium corni (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in Iran. Zoology in the Middle East, 61 (2), 161 - 165. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 09397140.2015.1020610","Fallahzadeh, M., Japoshvili, G. & Saghaei, N. (2016) A contribution to the knowledge of the encyrtid wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea, Encyrtidae) from southern Iran, with four new records. Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics, 2 (3), 309 - 319."]}

94. Metaphycus chermis (Fonscolombe, 1832) Host associations in Iran. Lepidosaphes ulmi and Chionaspis asiatica [Chlidaspis asiatica] (Golpayegani et al. 2010). Distribution in Iran. Lorstan and Markazi (Golpayegani et al. 2010). General distribution. Holarctic region., Published as part of Fallahzadeh, Majid & Japoshvili, George, 2017, An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4344 (1) on page 19, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1042219

108. Metaphycus stanleyi Compere, 1940 Host associations in Iran. Saissetia oleae (Esmaili 1983; Modarres Awal 1997), Gossyparia spuria on Ulmus sp., Parthenolecanium corni on Acer palmatum, Rosa sp. and Prunus amygdalus [P. dulcis] (Jalilvand et al. 2013). Distribution in Iran. Caspian Sea area (Esmaili 1983; Modarres Awal 1997), Kermanshah (Jalilvand et al. 2013). General distribution. Cosmopolitan., Published as part of Fallahzadeh, Majid & Japoshvili, George, 2017, An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4344 (1) on page 21, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1042219, {"references":["Esmaili, M. (1983) The Important Pest of Fruit Trees. Sepehr Publishing, Tehran, 578 pp.","Modares Awal, M. (1997) List of Agricultural Pests and Their Natural Enemies in Iran. Revised Edition. Ferdowsi University Press, Mashhad, 429 pp.","Jalilvand, K., Shirazi, M., Vahedi, H. A., Fallahzadeh, M., Naghadeh, N. M. & Samih, M. A. (2013) A preliminary study on natural enemies of Coccoidea (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha) in Kermanshah province, western Iran. Acta Phytopathologica et Entomologica Hungarica, 48 (2), 299 - 308. https: // doi. org / 10.1556 / APhyt. 48.2013.2.11"]}

98. Metaphycus flavus (Howard, 1881) Host associations in Iran. Coccus hesperidum (Herting 1972). Distribution in Iran. Iran (Herting, 1972; Guerrieri & Noyes 2000). General distribution. Cosmopolitan., Published as part of Fallahzadeh, Majid & Japoshvili, George, 2017, An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4344 (1) on page 20, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1042219, {"references":["Herting, B. (1972) Homoptera. A catalogue of parasites and predators of terrestrial arthropods. Section A. Host or Prey / Enemy. Fol. 2. Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux, Slough, i + 210 pp.","Guerrieri, E. & Noyes, J. S. (2000) Revision of European species of genus Metaphycus Mercet (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae), parasitoids of scale insects. Systematic Entomology, 25, 147 - 222. https: // doi. org / 10.1046 / j. 1365 - 3113.2000.00099. x"]}

109. Metaphycus zebratus (Mercet, 1917) Host associations in Iran. Parthenolecanium sp. (OILB 1971). Distribution in Iran. Iran (OILB, 1971). General distribution. Palaearctic and Oriental regions., Published as part of Fallahzadeh, Majid & Japoshvili, George, 2017, An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4344 (1) on page 21, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1042219, {"references":["OILB (1971) Liste d'identification des entomophages. Fol. 8. OILB, Geneve, 64 pp. [Ent. Library - Bound with volume 11 of Entomophaga]"]}

106. Metaphycus silvestrii Sugonjaev, 1960 Host associations in Iran. Unknown. Distribution in Iran. Isfahan (Rastegar et al. 2012). General distribution. Palaearctic region., Published as part of Fallahzadeh, Majid & Japoshvili, George, 2017, An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4344 (1) on page 21, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1042219, {"references":["Rastegar, J., Sakenin, H. & Ghods, P. (2012) A study of the Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Iran. Calodema, 224, 1 - 3."]}

102. Metaphycus melanostomatus (Timberlake, 1916) Host associations in Iran. Coccidae on almond (Lotfalizadeh 2010a), Parthenolecanium corni on poplar (Rastegar et al. 2012). Distribution in Iran. Markazi (Lotfalizadeh 2010a), Kordestan (Rastegar et al. 2012). General distribution. Holarctic region., Published as part of Fallahzadeh, Majid & Japoshvili, George, 2017, An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4344 (1) on page 20, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1042219, {"references":["Lotfalizadeh, H. (2010 a) The genus Metaphycus Mercet, 1917 (Hym.: Encyrtidae) of the Iranian fauna with description of a new species. North-Western Journal of Zoology, 6 (2), 255 - 261.","Rastegar, J., Sakenin, H. & Ghods, P. (2012) A study of the Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Iran. Calodema, 224, 1 - 3."]}

96. Metaphycus davoodii Lotfalizadeh, 2010 Host associations in Iran. Coccus hesperidum on Oleander, Morus alba, Ailanthus altissima and Diospyros sp. (Lotfalizadeh 2010a). Distribution in Iran. Tehran and Alborz (Lotfalizadeh 2010a). Remarks. The report of Metaphycus angustifrons Compere, 1957 from Iran (Davoodi et al. 2003a, c, 2004d) is a misidentification of M. davoodii (see Lotfalizadeh 2010a). General distribution. Endemic to Iran., Published as part of Fallahzadeh, Majid & Japoshvili, George, 2017, An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4344 (1) on page 19, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1042219, {"references":["Lotfalizadeh, H. (2010 a) The genus Metaphycus Mercet, 1917 (Hym.: Encyrtidae) of the Iranian fauna with description of a new species. North-Western Journal of Zoology, 6 (2), 255 - 261.","Davoodi, A., Talebi, A. A., Radjabi, G., Fathipour, Y. & Xu, Z. (2003 a) Report of Metaphycus angustifrons Compere (Hym.: Encyrtidae), parasitoid of Coccus hesperidum (L.) (Hom.: Coccidae) from Iran. Journal of Entomological Society of Iran, 22 (2), 79 - 80.","Davoodi, A., Talebi, A. A., Radjabi, G., Fathipour, Y. & Moharramipour, S. (2003 c) Identification of parasitoid wasps of the brown soft scale, Coccus hesperidum (L.) (Hom.: Coccidae) in Tehran province, Iran. In: Proceeding of the second Applied-Scientific Seminar on Flowers & Ornamental Plants in Iran, Mahalat 15 - 16 October 2003, Mahalat, Iran, pp. 7.","Davoodi, A., Talebi, A. A., Rajabi, G. R., Fathipour, Y., Rezaei, V. & Rakhshani, E. (2004 d) An identification of parasitoids and hyperparasitoids of the most common soft scales (Hom.: Coccidae) in Tehran and Guilan provinces. Iranian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 35 (4), 887 - 899."]}

99. Metaphycus helvolus (Compere, 1926) Host associations in Iran. Saissetia oleae (Esmaili 1983; Modarres Awal 1997), Coccus hesperidum (Ghahari et al. 2010). Distribution in Iran. Caspian Sea area (Esmaili 1983; Modarres Awal 1997), Iran (Prinsloo 1984; Trjapitzin 1989; Noyes & Hayat 1994), Golestan (Ghahari et al. 2010). General distribution. Cosmopolitan., Published as part of Fallahzadeh, Majid & Japoshvili, George, 2017, An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4344 (1) on page 20, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1042219, {"references":["Esmaili, M. (1983) The Important Pest of Fruit Trees. Sepehr Publishing, Tehran, 578 pp.","Modares Awal, M. (1997) List of Agricultural Pests and Their Natural Enemies in Iran. Revised Edition. Ferdowsi University Press, Mashhad, 429 pp.","Ghahari, H., Abd-Rabou, Sh., Sakenin, H., Hedqvist, K. J. & Ostovan, H. (2010) A contribution to some Chalcidoidea wasps (Hymenoptera) from Iran. Journal of Biological Control, 24 (1), 17 - 21.","Prinsloo, G. L. (1984) An illustrated guide to the parasitic wasps associated with citrus pests in the Republic of South Africa. Science Bulletin, Department of Agriculture, Republic of South Africa, 402, 1 - 119.","Trjapitzin, V. A. (1989) Parasitic Hymenoptera of the Fam. Encyrtidae of Palaearctics. In: Opredeliteli po Faune SSSR. Fol. 158. Zoologicheskim Institutom Akademii Nauk SSR, Leningrad, pp. 1 - 489.","Noyes, J. S. & Hayat, M. (1994) Oriental mealybug parasitoids of the Anagyrini (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). CAB International, Oxon, 554 pp."]}

100. Metaphycus hodzhevanishvilii Yasnosh, 1972 Host associations in Iran. Stotzia ephedrae on Ephedra procera (Hesami et al. 2007). Distribution in Iran. Fars (Hesami et al. 2007). General distribution. Palaearctic region (Middle Asia, Transcaucasia, Iran)., Published as part of Fallahzadeh, Majid & Japoshvili, George, 2017, An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4344 (1) on page 20, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1042219, {"references":["Hesami, S., Ebrahimi, E., Ostovan, H., Shojai, M., Kamali, K. & Moghaddam, M. (2007) The first report of Metaphycus hodzhvanishvilii Yasnosh (Hym.: Encyrtidae) from Iran. Applied Entomology & Phytopathology, 75 (1), 41."]}

93. Metaphycus bogdanovikatkovi Myartseva, 1984 Host associations in Iran. Rhizopulvinaria sp. on Prunus scoparia (Hesami et al. 2013). Distribution in Iran. Fars (Hesami et al. 2013). General distribution. Western Asia and Caucasus (Georgia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran)., Published as part of Fallahzadeh, Majid & Japoshvili, George, 2017, An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4344 (1) on page 19, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1042219, {"references":["Hesami, S., Mohammadi Khoramabadi, A., Japoshvili, G. & Seyedebrahimi, S. (2013) Metaphycus bogdanovikatkovi (Hym.: Encyrtidae), a new record for the Iranian fauna. Jounal of Entomological Society of Iran, 33 (3), 85 - 86."]}

92. Metaphycus asterolecanii (Mercet, 1923) Host associations in Iran. Unknown. Distribution in Iran. Mazandaran (Ghahari et al. 2010). General distribution. Palaearctic region., Published as part of Fallahzadeh, Majid & Japoshvili, George, 2017, An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4344 (1) on page 19, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1042219, {"references":["Ghahari, H., Abd-Rabou, Sh., Sakenin, H., Hedqvist, K. J. & Ostovan, H. (2010) A contribution to some Chalcidoidea wasps (Hymenoptera) from Iran. Journal of Biological Control, 24 (1), 17 - 21."]}

97. Metaphycus dispar (Mercet, 1923) Host associations in Iran. Unknown. Distribution in Iran. Mazandaran (Ghahari et al. 2010). General distribution. Holarctic region., Published as part of Fallahzadeh, Majid & Japoshvili, George, 2017, An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4344 (1) on page 20, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1042219, {"references":["Ghahari, H., Abd-Rabou, Sh., Sakenin, H., Hedqvist, K. J. & Ostovan, H. (2010) A contribution to some Chalcidoidea wasps (Hymenoptera) from Iran. Journal of Biological Control, 24 (1), 17 - 21."]}

101. Metaphycus lounsburyi (Howard, 1898) Host associations in Iran. Saissetia oleae (Esmaili 1983; Modarres Awal 1997), Eulecanium tiliae on almond (Lotfalizadeh 2010a). Distribution in Iran. Caspian Sea area (Esmaili 1983; Modarres Awal 1997), Iran (Noyes & Hayat 1994), Markazi (Lotfalizadeh 2010a). General distribution. Afrotropical, Palaearctic and Neotropical regions., Published as part of Fallahzadeh, Majid & Japoshvili, George, 2017, An updated checklist of Iranian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 4344 (1) on page 20, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1042219, {"references":["Esmaili, M. (1983) The Important Pest of Fruit Trees. Sepehr Publishing, Tehran, 578 pp.","Modares Awal, M. (1997) List of Agricultural Pests and Their Natural Enemies in Iran. Revised Edition. Ferdowsi University Press, Mashhad, 429 pp.","Lotfalizadeh, H. (2010 a) The genus Metaphycus Mercet, 1917 (Hym.: Encyrtidae) of the Iranian fauna with description of a new species. North-Western Journal of Zoology, 6 (2), 255 - 261.","Noyes, J. S. & Hayat, M. (1994) Oriental mealybug parasitoids of the Anagyrini (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). CAB International, Oxon, 554 pp."]}

Metaphycus angustifrons Compere, 1957 Distribution. Japan: Shikoku (TACHIKAWA 1963a). Neotropical, Bermuda, China, Iran, Israel, Taiwan, USA (NOYES 2016)., Published as part of Japoshvili, George, Higashiura, Yoshimitsu & Kamitani, Satoshi, 2016, A review of Japanese Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera), with descriptions of new species, new records and comments on the types described by Japanese authors, pp. 345-401 in Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 56 (1) on page 378, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5306831, {"references":["TACHIKAWA T. 1963 a: Revisional studies of the Encyrtidae of Japan (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Memoirs of Ehime University 9: 1 - 264.","NOYES J. S. 2016: Universal Chalcidoidea Database. World Wide Web electronic publication. http: // www. nhm. ac. uk / chalcidoids (Accessed: 30 May 2016)."]}

Metaphycus orientalis (Compere, 1924) Distribution. Japan: Honshu (COMPERE 1924). Belgium, China, USA (NOYES 2016)., Published as part of Japoshvili, George, Higashiura, Yoshimitsu & Kamitani, Satoshi, 2016, A review of Japanese Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera), with descriptions of new species, new records and comments on the types described by Japanese authors, pp. 345-401 in Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 56 (1) on page 378, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5306831, {"references":["COMPERE H. 1924: A preliminary report on the parasitic enemies of the citricola scale (Coccus pseudomagnoliarum (Kuwana )) with descriptions of two new chalcidoid parasites. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Science 23 (4): 113 - 123.","NOYES J. S. 2016: Universal Chalcidoidea Database. World Wide Web electronic publication. http: // www. nhm. ac. uk / chalcidoids (Accessed: 30 May 2016)."]}

Metaphycus tenuicornis (Timberlake, 1916) Material examined. 3 ♀♀, Matsuyama, ex Kermes miyasakii, 23.vi.1955, T. Tachikawa lgt. & det.; 2 ♀♀, Matsuyama, 23.vi.1955, T. Tachikawa lgt. & det. (ELKU). Distribution. Japan: Honshu, Shikoku (TACHIKAWA 1963a). China, USA (NOYES 2016)., Published as part of Japoshvili, George, Higashiura, Yoshimitsu & Kamitani, Satoshi, 2016, A review of Japanese Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera), with descriptions of new species, new records and comments on the types described by Japanese authors, pp. 345-401 in Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 56 (1) on page 379, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5306831, {"references":["TACHIKAWA T. 1963 a: Revisional studies of the Encyrtidae of Japan (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Memoirs of Ehime University 9: 1 - 264.","NOYES J. S. 2016: Universal Chalcidoidea Database. World Wide Web electronic publication. http: // www. nhm. ac. uk / chalcidoids (Accessed: 30 May 2016)."]}

Metaphycus albopleuralis (Ashmead, 1904) Distribution. Japan: Honshu, Kyuhsu, Shikoku (TACHIKAWA 1963a). Endemic., Published as part of Japoshvili, George, Higashiura, Yoshimitsu & Kamitani, Satoshi, 2016, A review of Japanese Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera), with descriptions of new species, new records and comments on the types described by Japanese authors, pp. 345-401 in Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 56 (1) on page 378, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5306831, {"references":["ASHMEAD W. H. 1904: Descriptions of new Hymenoptera from Japan. II. Journal of the New York Entomological Society 12: 146 - 165.","TACHIKAWA T. 1963 a: Revisional studies of the Encyrtidae of Japan (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Memoirs of Ehime University 9: 1 - 264."]}

Metaphycus dispar (Mercet, 1925) Metaphycus tamakatakaigara Tachikawa, 1957:27–30. Synonymised with Metaphycus dispar by TRJAPITZIN (1989: 232). Type material examined. Metaphycus tamakatakaigara: PARATYPES: 6 ♀♀, Matsuyama, 22.iv.1956, T. Tachikawa lgt.; 2 ♀♀, Matsuyama, ex Eulecanium kunoense, 25.iv.1962, T. Tachikawa lgt. (ELKU). Distribution. Japan: Shikoku (TACHIKAWA 1963a). Holarctic (NOYES 2016). Comments. We were unable to locate the holotype., Published as part of Japoshvili, George, Higashiura, Yoshimitsu & Kamitani, Satoshi, 2016, A review of Japanese Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera), with descriptions of new species, new records and comments on the types described by Japanese authors, pp. 345-401 in Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 56 (1) on page 378, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5306831, {"references":["TACHIKAWA T. 1957: Three species of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera). Transactions of the Shikoku Entomological Society 5: 55 - 57.","TACHIKAWA T. 1963 a: Revisional studies of the Encyrtidae of Japan (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Memoirs of Ehime University 9: 1 - 264.","NOYES J. S. 2016: Universal Chalcidoidea Database. World Wide Web electronic publication. http: // www. nhm. ac. uk / chalcidoids (Accessed: 30 May 2016)."]}

Metaphycus melanostomatus (Timberlake, 1916) Distribution. Japan: Honshu (TACHIKAWA 1963a). Holarctic (NOYES 2016)., Published as part of Japoshvili, George, Higashiura, Yoshimitsu & Kamitani, Satoshi, 2016, A review of Japanese Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera), with descriptions of new species, new records and comments on the types described by Japanese authors, pp. 345-401 in Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 56 (1) on page 378, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5306831, {"references":["TACHIKAWA T. 1963 a: Revisional studies of the Encyrtidae of Japan (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Memoirs of Ehime University 9: 1 - 264.","NOYES J. S. 2016: Universal Chalcidoidea Database. World Wide Web electronic publication. http: // www. nhm. ac. uk / chalcidoids (Accessed: 30 May 2016)."]}

Metaphycus pulvinariae (Howard, 1881) Distribution. Japan: Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku (TACHIKAWA 1963a). Holarctic (NOYES 2016)., Published as part of Japoshvili, George, Higashiura, Yoshimitsu & Kamitani, Satoshi, 2016, A review of Japanese Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera), with descriptions of new species, new records and comments on the types described by Japanese authors, pp. 345-401 in Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 56 (1) on page 378, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5306831, {"references":["TACHIKAWA T. 1963 a: Revisional studies of the Encyrtidae of Japan (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Memoirs of Ehime University 9: 1 - 264.","NOYES J. S. 2016: Universal Chalcidoidea Database. World Wide Web electronic publication. http: // www. nhm. ac. uk / chalcidoids (Accessed: 30 May 2016)."]}

Metaphycus Mercet 1917 Hosts. Hemiptera: Coccidae, Diaspididae, Eriococcidae, Kermesidae, Pseudococcidae, Triozidae alberti (Howard 1898 a: 247) (Aphycus) Type. USNM Distribution. W (Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara) Host/habitat. Ceroplastes sp., Coccus hesperidum, Parthenolecanium persicae Remarks. Originally described from Australia, this species has also been recorded from Hawaii and South Africa. Stauffer & Rose (1997) reported this species from Riverside county on C. hesperidum, while Bernal et al. (2001) reported it on citrus from the southern San Joaquin Valley (Fresno, Kern and Tulare counties) without specifying exactly which county it occurred in. They also reared this species from a batch of Coccus pseudomagnoliarum, noting that the exact host still needs to be confirmed. Kapranas et al. (2007) failed to find this species in their survey of Coccus hesperidum in southern California citrus. A single specimen from Solano County (UCDC) may belong to this species as well. angustifrons Compere 1957: 227 Type. USNM Distribution. E (Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego) Host/habitat. Coccus hesperidum Remarks. In the 1950 s, this species was repeatedly imported into California from the Orient against Coccus hesperidium and Saissetia oleae, but it was never considered established here (Bartlett 1978 a; Lampson & Morse 1992) until Kapranas et al. (2007) found it 50 years later in a survey of C. hesperidum parasitoids. Three scale species (Coccus pseudomagnoliarum, Pulvinaria psidii and S. oleae) have been reported as hosts of M. angustipennis (Noyes & Hayat 1994; Noyes 2001), based upon citations from Bartlett (1978 a) and Cock (1985) but I consider these records dubious, at best. For C. pseudomagnoliarum, Barlett (page 61) noted that M. angustipennis (among other species) reportedly “showed some interest in this scale in the laboratory”, and for S. oleae, Bartlett (page 69) simply reported that the parasitoid was imported in a biocontrol program, without any evidence that the scale was actually an acceptable host. The record of P. psidii is traceable to its importation into Bermuda in the 1950 s, when Bennett & Hughes (1959) reported that many parasites from California of “unknown value” against the scale were imported, and among these was M. angustifrons, which did not become permanently established there. This species is very close to M. stanleyi, and Rugman-Jones et al. (2011), suggest that records of the former may be applicable to the latter. anneckei Guerrieri & Noyes 2000 Type. PPRI Distribution. E (Alameda, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Clara, Ventura, San Francisco Bay area, Central Valley) Host/habitat. Coccus hesperidum, Saissetia miranda, S. oleae, Waxiella mimosae; NEW: Parasaissetia nigra (UCRC) Remarks. Early in the 20 th century, the South African species Metaphycus lounsburyi was exported to several countries (including Australia) in biocontrol programs directed against Saissetia oleae. However, Guerrieri & Noyes (2000) realized that two parasitoid species were involved, and described the second one as M. anneckei, noting that much of the literature about M. lounsburyi may refer to M. anneckei. In 1916, “ M. lounsburyi ” was imported from Australia and became established in southern California (Smith & Compere 1928), but Noyes (in litt.) thinks this was likely M. anneckei. Bartlett (1978 a) reported that M. lounsburyi (presumably M. anneckei) may be the second most effective parasitoid of the black scale in the State, while Kennett (1986) and Lampson & Morse (1992) found it to be much less important. Specimens labelled as this species are recorded from “ Lecanium viridis ” (=? Coccus viridis Green) and Parthenolecanium corni (both UCRC), but I suspect these are misidentifications. argyrocomus (Compere 1947: 10) (Erythraphycus) Type. USNM Distribution. C (Lassen, Marin, Monterey, Riverside) Host/habitat. Eriococcus sp. armitagei (Compere 1926 a: 30) (Aenasioidea) Type. USNM Distribution. C (Los Angeles, Marin) Host/habitat. The original description was based on a specimen collected on a Quercus sp. in Los Angeles, which led Compere to opine that the host was likely to be a Kermes sp., but such an association has never been established. A single specimen (RLZC) was collected on Quercus agrifolia in Marin County, indicating that the species extends throughout California’s central coast area. californicus (Howard 1898 a: 245) (Aphycus) Type. USNM Distribution. N (Butte, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Lassen, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Monterey, Nevada, Plumas, Riverside, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tulare, Yolo) Host/habitat. Eulecanium sp., Mesolecanium nigrofasciatum, Parthenolecanium corni, P. pruinosum Remarks. Timberlake (1916) thought that M. oregonensis (Howard 1898 a) was probably the male of M. californicus, and later suggested that M. pulvinariae (Howard 1881) might be synonymous as well (Compere & Annecke 1961). This same paper noted that M. californicus was indistinguishable from the imported Palearctic M. insidiosus (Mercet 1921), although there is no evidence that the latter ever established in California. They also reported that M. californicus is likely to be confused with M. stanleyi Compere morphologically, although these two species can be separated based on host species. Two specimens from Santa Barbara County (USNM) that seems to be referable to this species were reared from Physokermis insignicola. calvus (Compere 1947: 11) (Erythraphycus) Type. USNM Distribution. C (Contra Costa, Marin, Riverside, San Benito, San Bernardino, Santa Clara, Solano, Stanislaus) Host/habitat. Collected on an Eriogonum sp. (Polygonaceae) Remarks. Compere described this species with only the first two funicular segments darkened, but here I include a series of specimens which have the 3 rd and 4 th segments darkened as well. clauseni (Timberlake 1918: 358) (Pseudococcobius) Type. USNM Distribution. C (Alameda, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Marin, Napa, Riverside, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Clara, Sonoma, Stanislaus) Host/habitat. Amonostherium lichtensioides, Eriococcus adenostomae, E. palustris, E. sp.; NEW: Eriococcus coccineus (UCRC) Remarks. Timberlake (1918) recorded this species from an “ Erium sp.” on cactus, which Peck (1951) considered possibly an Amonostherium species. Essig (1926) reported the association with E. palustris on Spartina foliosa (Poaceae), which is limited to the high tide zone in the San Francisco Bay area. I have collected specimens over a range of ecological habitats, including the Sierra foothills, inland chapparal, and the coastal plain. coquilletti (Howard 1898 a: 244) (Aphycus) Type. USNM Distribution. N (Los Angeles) Host/habitat. Pulvinaria bigeloviae eriococci (Timberlake 1916: 631) (Aphycus) Type. USNM Distribution. N (Contra Costa) Host/habitat. Coccus hesperidum, Eriococcus quercus Remarks. Originally described from Utah, Essig (1926) reported this species from California, without providing a more specific location. I’ve found only one specimen from California, from Mt. Diablo State Park. eruptor (Howard 1881: 364) [New state record] (CSCA, RLZC) Type. USNM Distribution. W (Marin, San Diego) Host/habitat. Ceroplastes cirridpediformis, C. floridensis, C. sp., “ Lecanium sp.” flammeus Compere 1947: 13 Type. USNM Distribution. C (Alameda, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Kern, Los Angeles, Marin, Mendocino, Plumas, Santa Clara, Sierra, Solano, Tehama) Host/habitat. Parthenolecanium quercitronis fumipennis (Timberlake 1918: 356) (Pseudococcobius) Type. USNM Distribution. N (Riverside, San Bernardino) Host/habitat. Eriococcus sp., Phenacoccus solani Remarks. Timberlake (1918) reported this species was reared from Pseudococcus solani (Cockerell) in southern California (San Bernardino County). However, it is likely that Timberlake’s identification of the host was based on Essig’s (1909 or 1914) characterization, which was a misidentification of Phenacoccus solani (Ben-Dov 2006 b). Certainly, in a later work Essig (1926: 833) reported the parasitoid (as Pseudococcobius fumipennis) “Reared from Phenacoccus solani Ferris in southern California” and did not include any mention of Pseudococcus solani, suggesting that he recognized the initial record of this species to be a mistake. Further, while Phenacoccus solani is known from throughout California (McKenzie 1967), Pseudococcus solani is known only from New Mexico (Ben-Dov 2006 b). funicularis Annecke 1965: 227 Type. SANC Distribution. E (Alameda, Marin, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Yolo) Host/habitat. Pulvinaria delottoi, Pulvinariella mesembryanthemi, P. sp. Remarks. This species was introduced from South Africa with M. stramineus in a biocontrol program against P. delottoi and P. mesembryanthemi from 1978–1983, and along with Encyrtus saliens, is credited with successfully controlling both scale species (Tassan & Hagen 1995). The record of M. funicularis being used in a biocontrol program against Saissetia oleae (Lampson & Morse 1992) appears to be in error. fuscipennis (Howard 1898 a: 241) (Aphycus) Type. USNM Distribution. C (Alameda, Amador, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Kern, Marin, Monterey, San Benito, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Sonoma, Stanislaus) Host/habitat. Eulecanium sp. on Arctostaphylos pungens (Ericaceae) Remarks. Both Howard (1898 a) and Compere (1947) reported this species from undetermined “ Lecanium ” species, but this generic name has since been suppressed under Eulecanium Cockerell. Essig (1926) ascribed the original host record from Arctostaphylos in Sonoma County to Parthenolecanium corni, but this conclusion is questionable since P. corni has not otherwise been associated with any Arctostaphylos species. hageni Daane & Caltagirone 1999: 14 Type. EMEC Distribution. E (Tehama) Host/habitat. Saissetia oleae Remarks. This is a European species, imported from Spain in 1985 during a biocontrol program against Saissetia oleae (Daane & Caltagirone 1999) and has been confused with both M. anneckei and M. lounsburyi (Guerrieri & Noyes 2000). helvolus (Compere 1926 a: 25) (Aphycus) Type. USNM Distribution. E (Alameda, Contra Costa, Kern, Los Angeles, Marin, Merced, Modoc, Monterey, Orange, Placer, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Tulare, Ventura) Host/habitat. Ceroplastes destructor, C. helichrysi, C. sp., Coccus hesperidum, C. pseudomagnoliarum, Coccus viridis, Eucalymnatus tessellatus, Marsipococcus proteae, Parasaissetia litorea, P. nigra, P. sp., Parthenolecanium corni, P. persicae, Protopulvinaria pyriformis, Pulvinaria aethiopica, P. psidii, P. urbicola, Pulvinariella mesembryanthemi, Saissetia coffeae, S. nigrella, S. oleae, S. somereni, S. sp.; NEW: Coccus africanus, Parlatoria pergandii (both UCRC) Remarks. This is a south African species which was established in California in 1937 in a biocontrol program for Saissetia oleae, and is one of its most effective imported natural enemies (Bartlett 1978 a; Kennett 1986; Daane et al. 1991; Lampson & Morse 1992). Noyes (2001) listed M. helvolus as a biocontrol agent of Aonidiella aurantii, but this is misleading—the paper he cited (Bellows & Morse 1988) merely noted the effect of pesticides (applied for A. aurantii control) on parasitoids of other species. Guerrieri & Noyes (2000) note that Aspidiotus sp. (Homoptera: Diaspididae) and Rastrococcus mangiferae (Green) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae), have been reported as hosts, but they consider these records questionable. howardi (Cockerell 1898: 276) (Aphycus) Type. USNM Distribution. N (Lassen, Riverside) Host/habitat. Eriococcus tinsleyi, E. sp. Remarks. Two specimens (UCDC) from Imperial County may belong to this species as well. immaculatus (Howard 1894: 235) (Aphycus) [New combination] Type. USNM Distribution. C (Los Angeles) Host/habitat. Aonidiella aurantii Remarks. The species was described in Aphycus, based on a single male. Timberlake (1916) was unable to locate the type, and opined that if it was a true Aphycus, then the host record of A. aurantii was “undoubtedly erroneous”. The holotype is slide type # 1474 at the USNM, and belongs in Metaphycus, which means the original host record may be correct. inviscus Compere 1940 a: 20 Type. BMNH Distribution. E (Contra Costa, Fresno, Marin, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Tulare) Host/habitat. Saissetia oleae, S. sp. Remarks. Native to South Africa, this species was imported into California at least twice. A specimen mentioned in the original description was reared from the Riverside Insectary in 1924 —probably imported in one of the shipments of parasitoids made by E.W. Rust in the 1920 s (Compere 1940 b)—but there is no record of this species being released then. A second importation was made in 1979, and the species was recovered soon thereafter in the Central Valley (Kennett 1986). Bartlett (1978 a) reported a third importation of this species in 1958, which apparently failed to establish. However, Annecke & Mynhardt (1972) considered this effort involved a species that is distinct from M. inviscus and described it as M. bartletti (now a junior synonym of M. lounsburyi). kermicola (Timberlake 1916: 583) (Aenasioidea) Type. USNM Distribution. N (Los Angeles) Host/habitat. Allokermes essigi, A. galliformis Remarks. The host record of Allokermes (= Kermes) nigropunctatus (Ehrhorn & Cockerell) cited in Essig (1926) is a misidentification of A. essigi (Miller & Gimpel). lecanii (Howard 1898 a: 242) (Aphycus) Type. USNM Distribution. C (Alameda, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara) Host/habitat. Eulecanium pubescens, E. sp., Parthenolecanium corni, P. quercifex, Physokermes insignicola lounsburyi (Howard 1898 a: 244) (Aphycus) Type. USNM Distribution. E (Alameda, Marin, Riverside, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Solano, Tulare, Ventura, Yolo) Host/habitat. Ceroplastes floridensis, Coccus capparidis, C. hesperidum, C. pseudomagnoliarum, Lichtensia viburni, Parthenolecanium corni, Saissetia coffeae, S. oleae Remarks. This species is native to South Africa, and has been exported as a parasitoid of Saissetia oleae to several countries. However, Guerrieri and Noyes (2000) discovered that material identified as M. lounsburyi included a second species, which they described as M. anneckei, noting that previous literature references to M. lounsburyi may be referrable to M. anneckei. One such reference includes Smith and Compere’s (1928) report of material imported from Australia into California in 1916, which Noyes (in litt.) thinks was likely M. anneckei. In 1958, a species identified as M. inviscus was imported from South Africa into California (Bartlett 1978 a), but Annecke & Mynhardt (1972) considered this material represented a new species, which they described as Metaphycus bartletti. Based on a comparison of types, Guerrieri & Noyes (2000) synonymized M. bartletti under M. lounsburyi. This makes M. lounsburyi represents one of the most widespread and important natural enemies of S. oleae in California (Smith & Compere 1928; Bartlett 1978 a; Kennett 1986, Daane et al. 1991; Lampson & Morse 1992). In his report on the parasitoids of S. oleae in central and northern California, Kennett (1986) reported distinct biological differences between the taxa he identified as M. lounsburyi and M. bartletti: the latter was one of the most common species found (in both the interior valley as well as the coastal and subcoastal areas), while the former appeared to be largely limited to the more temperate coastal area. Noyes (in litt.) suspects Kennett’s M. lounsburyi was really M. anneckei, and his M. bartletti was M. lounsburyi. Two specimens that appear close to M. lounsburyi were taken in Contra Costa and Kern counties (RLZC). luteolus (Timberlake 1916: 636) (Aphycus) Type. USNM, Published as part of Zuparko, Robert L., 2015, Annotated Checklist of California Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera), pp. 1-126 in Zootaxa 4017 (1) on pages 35-41, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4017.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/245475, {"references":["Mercet, R. G. (1917) Encirtinos de Espana. Boletin de la Real Sociedad Espanola de Historia Natural, 17, 538 - 544.","Howard, L. O. (1898 a) On some new parasitic insects of the subfamily Encyrtinae. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 21, 231 - 248. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.5479 / si. 00963801.1142.231","Stauffer, S. & Rose, M. (1997) Biological control of soft scale insects in interior plantscapes in the USA. In: Ben-Dov, Y. & Hodgson, C. J. (Eds.), Soft scale insects - their biology, natural enemies and control [Vol. 7 B]. Elsevier, Amsterdam & New York, pp. 183 - 205. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1016 / S 1572 - 4379 (97) 80083 - 8","Bernal, J. S., Luck, R. F., Morse, J. G. & Drury, M. S. (2001) Seasonal and scale size relationships between citricola scale (Homoptera: Coccidae) and its parasitoid complex (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) on San Joaquin Valley citrus. Biological Control, 20, 210 - 221. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1006 / bcon. 2000.0905","Kapranas, A., Morse, J. G., Pacheco, P., Forster, L. D. & Luck, R. F. (2007) Survey of brown soft scale Coccus hesperidum L. parasitoids in southern California citrus. Biological Control, 42, 288 - 299. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1016 / j. biocontrol. 2007.05.012","Compere, H. (1957) Descriptions of species of Metaphycus recently introduced into California and some corrections. Bollettino del Laboratoria di Entomologia Agraria Filippo Silvestri', Portici, 15, 221 - 230.","Bartlett, B. R. (1978 a) Coccidae. In: Clausen, C. P. (Ed.), Introduced parasites and predators of arthropod pests and weeds: a world review. Agriculture Handbook 480. Agriculture Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, pp. 57 - 74.","Lampson, L. J. & Morse, J. G. (1992) A survey of black scale, Saissetia oleae [Hom.: Coccidae] parasitoids [Hym.: Chalcidoidea] in southern California. Entomophaga, 37, 373 - 390. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1007 / BF 02373111","Noyes, J. S. & Hayat, M. (1994) Oriental mealybug parasitoids of the Anagyrini (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon, 554 pp.","Noyes, J. S. (2001) Interactive catalogue of world Chalcidoidea, Taxapad CD. Vancouver, Canada.","Cock, M. J. W. (Ed.) (1985) A review of biological control of pests in the Commonwealth Caribbean and Bermuda up to 1982. Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control, Technical Communication, No. 9, 1 - 218. [Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux, Slough]","Bennett, F. D. & Hughes, I. W. (1959) Biological control of insect pests in Bermuda. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 50, 423 - 436. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1017 / S 0007485300053025","Rugman-Jones, P. F., Forster, L. D., Guerrieri, E., Luck, R. F., Morse, J. G., Monti, M. m. & Stouthamer, R. (2011) Taxon-specific multiplex-PCR for quick, easy, and accurate identification of encyrtid and aphelinid parasitoid species attacking soft scale insects in California citrus groves. BioControl, 56, 265 - 275. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1007 / s 10526 - 010 - 9328 - 4","Guerrieri, E. & Noyes, J. S. (2000) Revision of European species of genus Metaphycus Mercet (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae), parasitoids of scale insects (Homoptera: Coccoidea). Systematic Entomology, 25, 147 - 222. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1046 / j. 1365 - 3113.2000.00099. x","Simanton, F. L. (1916) The terrapin scale: an important insect enemy of peach orchards. Bulletin of the United States Department of Agriculture, 351, 1 - 96. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. title. 64473","Smith, H. S. & Compere, H. (1928) A preliminary report on the insect parasites of the black scale Saissetia oleae (Bernard). University of California Publications in Entomology, 4, 231 - 334.","Kennett, C. E. (1986) A survey of the parasitoid complex attacking black scale, Saissetia oleae (Olivier), in central and northern California (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea; Homoptera: Coccidae). The Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 62, 363 - 369.","Compere, H. (1947) A report on a collection of Encyrtidae with descriptions of new genera and species. University of California Publications in Entomology, 8, 1 - 24.","Compere, H. (1926 a) Descriptions of new coccid-inhabiting chalcidoid parasites (Hymenoptera). University of California Publications in Entomology, 4, 1 - 31.","Timberlake, P. H. (1916) Revision of the parasitic Hymenopterous insects of the genus Aphycus Mayr, with notice of some related genera. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 50, 561 - 640. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.5479 / si. 00963801.50 - 2136.561","Howard, L. O. (1881) Report of the parasites of Coccidae in the collections of the U. S. Department of Agriculture Part III. In: Comstock, J. H. (Ed.), Report of the entomologist for 1880. United States Department of Agriculture (Entomology), Washington, pp. 350 - 372.","Compere, H. & Annecke, D. P. (1961) Descriptions of parasitic Hymenoptera and comments (Hymenopt.: Aphelinidae, Encyrtidae, Eulophidae). Journal of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa, 24, 17 - 71.","Mercet, R. G. (1921) Fauna Iberica. Himenopteros Fam. Encirtidos. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, 732 pp. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. title. 10362","Timberlake, P. H. (1918) New genera and species of Encyrtidae from California parasitic in mealybugs (Hymenoptera). University of California Publications in Entomology, 1, 347 - 367.","Peck, O. (1951) Superfamily Chalcidoidea. In: Muesebeck, C. F. W., Krombein, K. V. & Townes, H. K. (Eds.), Hymenoptera of America north of Mexico - synoptic catalog. United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Monograph 2, Washington, pp. 410 - 594.","Essig, E. O. (1926) Insects of western North America. Macmillan, New York, 1035 pp.","Ben-Dov, Y. (2006 b) ScaleNet, Pseudococcidae. Available from: http: // www. sel. barc. usda. gov / scalenet / scalenet. htm (accessed 30 April 2015)","McKenzie, H. L. (1967) Mealybugs of California. University of California Press, Berkeley & Los Angeles, 526 pp.","Annecke, D. P. (1965) Records and descriptions of African Encyrtidae - 3 (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Journal of the Entomological Society of South Africa, 28, 217 - 229.","Tassan, R. L. & Hagen, K. S. (1995) Iceplant scales. In: Nechols, J. R., Andres, L. A., Beardsley, J. W., Goeden, R. D. & Jackson, C. G. (Eds.), Biological Control in the western United States - accomplishments and benefits of Regional Research Project W- 84, 1964 - 1989. University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Publication 3361, pp. 150 - 154.","Daane, K. M. & Caltagirone, L. E. (1999) A new species of Metaphycus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) parasitic on Saissetia oleae (Olivier) (Homoptera: Coccidae). The Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 75, 13 - 17.","Daane, K. M., Barzman, M. S., Kennett, C. E. & Caltagirone, L. E. (1991) Parasitoids of black scale in California: establishment of Prococcophagus probus Annecke & Mynhardt and Coccophagus rusti Compere (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) in olive orchards. The Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 67, 99 - 106.","Bellows, T. S. Jr. & Morse, J. G. (1988) Residual toxicity following dilute or low-volume applications used for control of California red scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae) to four beneficial species in a citrus agroecosystem. Journal of Economic Entomology, 81, 892 - 898. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1093 / jee / 81.3.892","Cockerell, T. D. A. (1898) A bright red parasite of Coccidae. The Canadian Entomologist, 30, 276. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.4039 / Ent 30276 - 11","Compere, H. (1940 a) The African species of Metaphycus, Mercet. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 31, 7 - 33. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1017 / S 0007485300004764","Compere, H. (1940 b) Parasites of the black scale, Saissetia oleae, in Africa. Hilgardia, 13, 387 - 423.","Annecke, D. P. & Mynhardt, M. J. (1972) The species of the insidiosus - group of Metaphycus Mercet in South Africa with notes on some extralimital species (Hymenoptera Encyrtidae). Revue de Zoologie et de Botanique Africaines, 85, 227 - 274.","Herting, B. (1972) Homoptera. A Catalogue of Parasites and Predators of Terrestrial Arthropods (A), 2, 1 - 210. [Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux, Slough]","Ben-Dov, Y. (2006 a) ScaleNet, Coccidae. Available from: http: // www. sel. barc. usda. gov / scalenet / scalenet. htm (accessed 30 April 2015)","Compere, H. (1943) A new species of Metaphycus parasitic on psyllids. The Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 19, 71 - 73.","Dozier, H. L. (1936) Descriptions of two new encyrtid parasites of non-diaspine scales. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 37, 183 - 185."]}

Karyotypes of four species of the genus Metaphycus Mercet, 1917, namely, M. flavus (Howard, 1881) and M. luteolus (Timberlake, 1916) (both have n = 10 and 2n = 20), M. angustifrons Compere, 1957 (n = 9 and 2n = 18) and M. stanleyi Compere, 1940 (n = 5 and 2n = 10) were studied. The latter chromosome number, n = 5, is the lowest known one for the family Encyrtidae. A karyotype with n = 10 is considered ancestral for the genus Metaphycus. Karyotype evolution in this genus is likely to have occurred through chromosomal fusions.

1. In many gregarious or quasi-gregarious parasitoids that experience local mate competition, precise sex ratios with low variance are observed. Precise sex ratios can be achieved by laying male and female eggs in non-random sequences. 2. Developmental mortality can also alter sex ratios of emerging offspring, and subsequently influence sex ratio optima. 3. The present study investigates sex allocation by Metaphycus flavus Howard, M. luteolus Timberlake, and M. angustifrons Compere (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), endoparasitoids of soft scale insects, in the laboratory. 4. All three Metaphycus species had precise secondary sex ratios when parasitising brown soft scale, Coccus hesperidum, L. in the laboratory. Moreover, we documented that all three species lay fertilised (= female) eggs first followed by unfertilised (= male) eggs at the end of the oviposition bout. However, there were significant differences in sex allocation sequences among species. 5. Mortality rates of eggs allocated within an oviposition bout also varied considerably, indicating that there is a significant interspecific variation in sequence position-specific mortality. 6. Using a stochastic Monte Carlo simulation approach, we provide evidence that the incidence of all-female broods in these parasitoid wasps appears mainly due to developmental mortality and not due to decisions by the ovipositing female. In two species the prevalence of all-female broods was independent of clutch size, contrary to what is expected from theory. The influence of mortality on optimal sex allocation in these parasitoids is discussed.

Metaphycus sp. Material examined. KSA: AL-BAHA: Qunfudah, vi. 2012, (MT), Coll. Z. Ahmad (1 ♀, on slide, EH. 1693) (ZDAMU). Comments. The above specimen of Metaphycus Mercet belongs to the alberti species-group, characterized by having both the maxillary and the labial palps 2 -segmented. It does not run to any species in the available keys (Annecke & Mynhardt 1981; Trjapitzin 1989; Guerrieri & Noyes 2000; Noyes 2004; Hayat 2006). This species will be taken up when more specimens become available.

Metaphycus albidus Hayat, sp. nov. (Figs 91���95) Female. Holotype. Length, 0.79 mm (Paratypes, 0.69���0.79 mm; n = 7; one paratype, on slide EH. 1692, is large in size, mesosoma length is 0.45 mm, compared to 0.35 mm of the holotype) Head white, except upper half of occiput dark brown. Mandible pale yellow, distal half reddish brown. Antenna (Fig. 91) with radicle white; scape white, with a dark brown patch in middle third; pedicel dark brown, apical half white; F 1 dark brown, F 2 ���F 4 and ventral third of F 5 brown; remainder of F 5 and F 6 white; clava with first segment dark brown, becoming brownish yellow on second segment and yellow on third segment. Mesosoma with pronotum with a large dark brown patch, collar and sides white, and a dark brown spot at each lateral corner of collar; mesoscutum except for the dark brown anterior margin hidden by the pronotal collar in the holotype, axilla and scutellum pale brownish yellow; sides of metanotum nearly black; tegula white with a small brown spot distally; mesopleuron and metapleuron white; propodeum middle third yellow, sides up to spiracles brown, distal to spiracles white. Wings hyaline. Legs, including coxae, white; bases of mid and hind tibiae each with a dark brown spot; all tibiae with two brown to dark brown complete or incomplete rings, those on fore tibia pale brown. Metasoma with petiole brown; gaster up to cercal plates dark brown, becoming pale brownish white distally; last tergite (TVII) white; third valvula white. Head. Frontovertex narrow, 0.2 �� head width, and 2.7 �� as long as broad; ocellar triangle with apical angle acute; posterior ocellus close to eye margin, and slightly less than one ocellus diameter to occipital margin; frontovertex with raised, polygonal reticulate sculpture; facial region with fine, irregular polygonal sculpture, the cells slightly transversely elongate; malar space with elongate reticulate sculpture; setae hyaline; eye apparently bare. Mandible apically narrowed, with 3 acute teeth. Maxillary and labial palps both 3 -segmented (Fig. 92). Antenna (Fig. 91) with scape 4 �� as long as broad, 1.24 �� as long as clava, and 2.66 �� as long as pedicel; pedicel slightly longer than F 1 ���F 3 combined; F 1 ���F 3 each about 1.3 �� as broad as long, and 0.8 �� of F 4, the latter smaller (0.85 ��) than F 5; F 6 largest, 1.4 �� as long as and 1.28 �� as broad as, F 5; clava subequal in length to funicle; only F 6 and clava with longitudinal sensilla. Relative measurements (holotype, card)���head dorsal width, 26; frontovertex width, 5.5; frontovertex length, 15. (paratype, slide)���antennal scape length (width), 18 (4.5); pedicel length, 6.75; funicle length, 15; clava length, 14.5. Mesosoma (Fig. 94) longer than metasoma (29: 25); mesoscutum and scutellum with rugose reticulate sculpture; setae white. Fore wing (Fig. 93) about 2.4 �� as long as broad; marginal vein punctiform, 1.25 �� as long as postmarginal vein, and 0.37 �� stigmal vein. Hind wing 4.7 �� as long as broad. Relative measurements (paratype, slide, EH. 1692)���mid tibia length, 29.5; mid basitarsus length, 11; mid tibial spur length, 8. Metasoma (Fig. 95). Ovipositor not exserted, its total length varies from 1.05 �� to 1.14 �� as long as mid tibia length; third valvula length varies from 0.77 �� to 0.85 �� mid tibial spur length. Relative measurements (paratype, slide, EH. 1692)���ovipositor length, 31; third valvula length, 6.75. Male. Unknown. Material examined. Holotype (NPC, registration No. 136 / 11 / 157 / 7), ♀, labelled ��� KSA: AL-BAHA: Qunfudah, vi. 2012, (MT), Coll. Z. Ahmad���. Paratypes. 8 ♀ (on 4 slides��� 1 ♀, slide EH. 1692; 1 ♀, slide EH. 1702; 1 ♀, slide, EH. 1703; 5 ♀, slide EH. 1704), data same as for holotype. (One paratype in NPC, registration No. 13 / 6 / 157 / 10; remaining paratypes in ZDAMU, registration No. HYM. CH. 687.) Distribution. Saudi Arabia: Al-Baha. Etymology. Latin, albidus = white, and refers to the largely white head. Comments. This new species belongs to the insidiosus species-group of Metaphycus Mercet, characterized by having the maxillary and the labial palps both 3 -segmented. In the available keys to species (Annecke & Mynhardt 1972, mainly South African species; Trjapitzin 1989, Palaearctic species; Guerrieri & Noyes 2000, European species; Noyes 2004, Costa Rican species; Hayat, 2006, Indian species), the new species either does not run to any described species or runs to a species to which it does not belong. The following combination of characters separates the new species from the described species: head largely, mesopleuron, metapleuron and venter of mesosoma, white; legs white, except for two dark brown, complete or incomplete bands on each tibia; frontovertex one-fifth head width; antennal scape 4 �� as long as broad; F 6 large, and with longitudinal sensilla; ovipositor subequal in length to or slightly longer than, mid tibia length, and third valvula shorter than mid tibial spur., Published as part of Hayat, Mohammad, Ahmad, Zubair & Khan, Farmanur Rehman, 2014, Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, pp. 1-59 in Zootaxa 3793 (1) on pages 37-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3793.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/285931, {"references":["Annecke, D. P. & Mynhardt, M. J. (1972) The species of the insidiosus - group of Metaphycus Mercet in South Africa with notes on some extralimital species (Hymenoptera Encyrtidae). Revue de Zoologie et de Botanique Africaines, 85, 227 - 274.","Trjapitzin, V. A. (1989) Parasitic Hymenoptera of the fam. Encyrtidae of Palaearctics. Opredeleteli po Faune SSSR, Izdavavaemiye Zoologicheskim Institutom Akademii Nauk SSSR, 158, 1 - 489. [in Russian]","Guerrieri, E. & Noyes, J. S. (2000) Revision of European species of genus Metaphycus Mercet (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae), parasitoids of scale insects (Homoptera: Coccoidea). Systematic Entomology, 25, 147 - 222. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1046 / j. 1365 - 3113.2000.00099. x","Noyes, J. S. (2004) Encyrtidae of Costa Rica (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), 2. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute, 73, 1 - 459.","Hayat, M. (2006) Indian Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Published by M. Hayat, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, India, i - viii + 1 - 496 pp."]}

Three parasitoids and four hyperparasitoids develop on P. pyriformis in laurel. Metaphycus helvolus accounts for 97% of the parasitoids recovered. M. helvolus shows inverse host density dependence. M. helvolus populations decrease in summer and winter when the scale is smaller.

absent