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We report the results of investigations 2010 through 2023 of hymenopteran parasitoids associated with gall midges in Europe. A total of 242 collections of gall midges were made, from each of which one to several parasitoid species emerged, resulting in ca. 200 recorded parasitoid species and 267 host-parasitoid interaction records. The parasitoid families involved were Eulophidae (63 species), Platygastridae (56 species), Torymidae (34 species), Pteromalidae (31 species), Ceraphronidae (5 species), Eupelmidae (4 species), Eurytomidae (2 species) and Encyrtidae (1 species). As many as 159 interactions are reported for the first time, significantly enlarging our knowledge of gall midge - parasitoid interactions on the species level. Even more interesting, 51 host records are for parasitoid species for which no host was previously known. Similarly, 28 species of gall midge are reported as host to named parasitoids for the first time. Additionally, 91 parasitoid records were the first for the country in question. Differences between the rearing methods applied and their suitability for recording species with contrasting life histories, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian chestnut gall wasp (ACGW) (Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu), an invasive pest native to China, was detected in Michigan, the largest chestnut producer in North America, in 2015. Along with quantifying gall densities, we tracked dates and cumulative growing degree days corresponding to ACGW life stages in five, seven, and nine orchards in 2017–2019, respectively. Gall formation, triggered by the onset of feeding by overwintered larvae, began soon after bud break. Most adult wasps emerged in mid summer, after pollen production peaked. Density of ACGW in all sites dropped sharply in 2019, probably as a result of larval mortality caused by severely cold temperatures in late January. Gall density was generally lower on Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollisima Blume) trees and C. mollisima hybrids, which share some coevolutionary history with ACGW, than on cultivars of European chestnut (C. sativa Miller) and Japanese-European (C. crenata Sieb. & Zucc. x C. sativa) trees, including the popular Colossal cultivar. Torymus sinensis Kamijo (Hymenoptera: Torymidae), a larval parasitoid previously introduced into the U.S. and several countries in Asia and Europe for ACGW biocontrol, appears to be spreading with ACGW in Michigan. Parasitoid larvae were recorded in four, six, and eight of the infested sites we sampled in 2017–2019, respectively, and parasitism rates ranged from 5 to70% of galls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stable co‐evolutionary relationships between species may result in the loss of autonomous synthesis of essential nutrients when these can be obtained from the ecological partner. Parasitoid insects obtain most of their nutrients from their host, and many lineages do not increase their adult lipid reserves even when feeding on a surplus of sugars. Several clades within the parasitoid Hymenoptera have lost the parasitoid lifestyle and switched to either a predatory or a phytophagous lifestyle. Here, we test whether adult lipid accumulation is reactivated in two species that independently evolved a phytophagous lifestyle from parasitoid ancestors. The larvae of Megastigmus aculeatus (Swederus) (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Torymidae) and Bruchophagus platypterus (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eurytomidae) obligatorily feed on seeds of specific plants. Seeds of wild host plants were collected and the emerging wasps were tested for the lipid accumulation phenotype using whole‐body diethyl ether extraction. Both species had significantly reduced lipid content after 1 week ad libitum access to sugars compared to the lipid content at emergence, indicating a lack or negligible level of lipogenesis. Therefore, the secondary switch to phytophagy was not associated with recovery of lipid accumulation in these species. We discuss these results in relation to the lipid content of the host seeds and the reversibility of the lipid accumulation phenotype. We infer that the close relationship among seed‐feeding insects and their hosts allows the seed‐feeders to rely on a diet with predictable lipid quantities which relaxes the need for autonomous lipid synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In total 23 oothecae of seven species of mantids from six genera Bolivaria Stål, 1877 (Rivetinidae), Elaea Stål, 1877 (Gonypetidae), Empusa Illiger, 1798 (Empusidae), Hierodula Burmeister, 1838 (Mantidae), Holaptilon Beier, 1964 (Gonypetidae), Iris Saussure, 1869 (Eremiaphilidae) were collected. About 69% of collected oothecae of mantids were parasitized by the Hymenoptera families, Torymidae and Eupelmidae. Here, we report seven parasitoid species of Mantodea oothecae, Eupelmus (Macroneura) vesicularis (Retzius, 1783) (Eupelmidae), Iridophaga lichtensteini Picard, 1933 (Torymidae), Iridophagoides petiolatus Erdös, 1964 (Torymidae), Microdontomerus sp. (Torymidae), Monodontomerus obscurus Westwood, 1833 (Torymidae), Palachia pulchra Bouček, 1969 (Torymidae), Podagrion pachymerum (Walker, 1833) (Torymidae) of Mantodea oothecae. Of which, Ichnanthus petiolatus and P. pulchra are new records for Iranian fauna. The species E. (M.) vesicularis, I. petiolatus, Microdontomerus sp., M. obscurus, P. pulchra are reported as parasitoids of mantid oothecae for the first time. This is the first attempt to study parasitoids of seven species of mantids oothecae. The parasitism rate of different mantids oothecae was varied from 38 to 92% in different species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The host range of parasitoids varies greatly among species: Some only parasitize one to a few hosts (specialists), while others parasitize multiple species or a variety of host types (generalists). The direction of most host range shifts in parasitoid groups, that is from generalist to specialist or, alternatively, from specialist to generalist, is unknown. To explore the origin of host range shifts, we studied a clade within the genus Torymus (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) that includes both generalist and specialist parasitoids of Cynipidae (Hymenoptera). We analysed the phylogenetic relationships of the species of Torymus on the basis of two gene fragments (cox1 and ITS2) of 246 specimens and performed an ancestral state reconstruction of the specialist/generalist trait. Our results revealed the following: (a) The ancestral state of this group of Torymus is specialist, with the generalist state evolving through a loss of specialization. (b) The species Torymus cyaneus and Torymus flavipes both have a strong genetic structure, suggesting the existence of different biological identities. (c) There has been a host plant shift in the lineage(s) leading to Torymus rubi and Torymus bedeguaris from galls on Quercus to those on Rosaceae. (d) The alien species Torymus sinensis and the native European species Torymus notatus are phylogenetically closely related. (e) Speciation within Torymus was likely associated with the diversification of their cynipid hosts, which itself was driven by the dramatic changes in climate and vegetation that occurred during the Miocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flat wasps Bethylidae are a cosmopolitan family of aculeate ectoparasitoid of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera larvae. There are only 73 fossil species so far. Here, we provide a synopsis of the fossil pristocerine, which are those with strongly sexual dimorphism. Comments for all earlier described species are given. Two new genera and two species from Burmese and Taimyr ambers are described and illustrated, †Ekaterina volgatitan Colombo, Gobbi and Azevedo gen. et sp. nov. and †Uniceratops trex Colombo, Gobbi and Azevedo gen. et sp. nov. Four new species from Baltic and Rovno ambers are described and illustrated, †Cleistepyris allosaurus Colombo, Gobbi and Azevedo sp. nov., †Cleistepyris baryonyx Colombo, Gobbi and Azevedo sp. nov., †Pseudisobrachium megalosaurus Colombo, Gobbi and Azevedo sp. nov., †Pseudisobrachium stegosaurus Colombo, Gobbi and Azevedo sp. nov. The species Eleganesia electriphila (Cockerell) is transferred to Foenobethylus and has to be considered Foenobethylus electriphilus (Cockerell) comb. nov. The species Pseudisobrachium oligocenicum Théobald must be excluded from Bethylidae and has to be considered as Hymenoptera incertae sedis. The genus Cleistepyris is recorded for the Old World in the first time. A key for fossil pristocerine is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three parasitoid species of the Chalcidoidea superfamily [Brachymeria tibialis (Chalcididae), Monodontomerus aereus аnd Monodontomerus aeneus (Torymidae)] were reared from pupae of tortrix moths (Tortrix viridana and Archips crataegana). The pupae were collected in the region of Sofia from stands of Quercus cerris and Quercus petraea from May to June, 2011-2013. Two parasitoid-host associations have been recorded for the first time from Bulgaria (B. tibialis - T. viridana, M. aereus - T. viridana) and one is a record new to science (B. tibialis - A. crataegana). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted from July 2019 to February 2020 to evaluate the diversity of chalcidoids in different natural and manmade agroecosystems from three agro-climatic zones (Chhattisgarh Plains, Bastar Plateau and Northern Hills) in the state Chhattisgarh, India. The survey resulted in the collection of 386 specimens belonging to eight families Chalcididae-256 specimens (66.32%), Encyrtidae-13 (3.37%), Eulophidae-77 (19.94%), Eurytomidae-06 (1.56%), Mymaridae-02 (0.52%), Ormyridae-01 (0.26%), Pteromalidae-16 (4.14%), and Torymidae-15 (3.89%), respectively from 17 collection sites. The highest diversity of chalcidoids was observed in the natural vegetation of Chhattisgarh Plains with Chalcididae as the most predominant family. Altogether, five predominant genera were collected using sweep net and yellow pan traps and were identified as Antrocephalus Kirby - 48 specimens (18.75%), Brachymeria Westwood - 71 (27.73%), Dirhinus Dalman -78 (30.47%), Epitranus Walker - 02 (0.78%), and Hockeria Walker - 57 (22.27%). The Chalcididae genera collected from different natural vegetation in descending order of their dominance were: Brachymeria- 53 specimens (32.31%) > Dirhinus- 42 (25.61%) > Antrocephalus- 34 (20.73%) > Hockeria- 33 (20.13%) > Epitranus-02 (1.22%). However in the manmade agroecosystems, Dirhinus was the most dominant genus and the descending order of dominance of genera observed were: Dirhinus- 36 specimens (39.13%) > Hockeria- 24 (26.09%) > Brachymeria- 18 (19.57%) > Antrocephalus- 14 (15.21%) with absence of the genus Epitranus. Comparing all the survey sites, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, Mungeli was found most abundant in chalcid diversity under natural ecosystem and College of Agriculture, Raipur under agroecosystem with maximum diversity in vegetable fields of spine gourd, bottle gourd and sponge gourd altogether. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The parasitoid Torymus sinensis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) has been successfully used in Italy since 2005 for biological control of the invasive cynipid Dryocosmus kuriphilus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), highly destructive for the economically relevant Castanea sativa (Fagales: Fagaceae). In order to investigate the morphological aspects related to sensorial behavior, a fine morphology study of the antennae and their sensilla was conducted by scanning electron microscopy on both sexes of T. sinensis. The antennae, composed of a scape, a pedicel and a flagellum with ten flagellomeres, had chaetic sensilla of six subtypes, placoid sensilla of three subtypes, trichoid sensilla, sensilla with a roundish grooved tip, and coeloconic sensilla. The chaetic sensilla of the first three subtypes were found in the scape and in the pedicel, and those of the last three subtypes, together with trichoid, roundish grooved tip and coeloconic sensilla, were found only on flagellomeres. Sexual dimorphism was detected in the morphology of the proper pedicel and the flagellum, and in the presence and distribution of the sensilla and their subtypes. The morphological aspects of the antenna of T. sinensis and of its sensilla were compared with those found in the family Torymidae and in other families of the extremely diverse superfamily Chalcidoidea. • Torymus sinensis is used for biological control of Dryocosmus kuriphilus , highly destructive for chestnut trees. • A morphological study of antennae and their sensilla was conducted on T. sinensis adults of both sexes by SEM. • The antennae have sensilla of the chaetic, placoid, grooved tip, trichoid and coeloconic types. • The results are compared with those of the family Torymidae and other families of Chalcidoidea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete sequence of the mitochondrial genome of Podagrion sp. (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) is described. The mitogenome was 15,845 bp in size, and contained typical sets of mitochondrial genes. The base composition of the Podagrion sp. mitogenome was also biased toward A + T bases (81.8%). The mitochondrial genome of Podagrion sp. has a weak AT skew (0.07) and a strong GC skew (−0.26). Podagrion sp. exhibits a novel rearrangement compared with the ancestral order, including six protein-coding genes (nad3 , cox3 , atp6 , atp 8, cox2 and cox1), which have inverted to the minor strand from the major strand. The A + T-rich region of Podagrion sp. , which is located between trnN and trnI , have five tandem repeats. The apomorphic rearrangements, including the conserved block " cox3 - atp6 - atp8 - cox2 - cox1 - nad5 - nad4 - nad4l - nad6 - cob " and the special locations of trnV and trnA , were mapped onto the phylogeny of Proctotrupomorpha. • Podagrion sp. exhibits a novel rearrangement compared with the ancestral order. • Large block including PCGs was possiblely inverted to the N strand. • The A + T-rich region of Podagrion sp. is located between trnN and trnI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phylogeny of the Torymidae (Chalcidoidea) is estimated using 4734 nucleotides from five genes. Twelve outgroups and 235 ingroup taxa are used, representing about 70% of the recognized genera. Our analyses do not recover Torymidae as monophyletic and we recognize instead two families: Megastigmidae (stat. rev.) and Torymidae s.s. (stat. rev.). Within Torymidae s.s., we recognize six subfamilies and six tribes, including Chalcimerinae, Glyphomerinae and Microdontomerinae (subf. nov.), and two new tribes: Boucekinini and Propalachiini (trib. nov.). Seven unclassified genera (i.e. Cryptopristus, Echthrodape, Exopristoides, Exopristus, part of Glyphomerus, Thaumatorymus, Zaglyptonotus) are assigned to tribes within our new classification. Five genera are restored from synonymy—Ameromicrus and Didactyliocerus from under Torymoides (stat. rev.), Iridophaga and Iridophagoides from under Podagrionella (stat. rev.) and Nannocerus from under Torymus (stat. rev.)—and three genera are synonymized—Allotorymus under Torymussyn. nov., Ditropinotus under Eridontomerussyn. nov. and Pseuderimerus under Erimerussyn. nov. A Palaearctic or Eurasian origin for Torymidae is proposed. The ancestral area of Megastigmidae is indicated as the Australian region. The most probable ancestral life strategy for Torymidae s.s. is ectoparasitism on gall‐forming Cynipidae. The life strategy and putative hosts of the common ancestor of Megastigmidae remain uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrodasyceras hirsutum Kamijo (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) has been considered to be a specialized seed parasitoid wasp of Ilex integra Thunb. since the description as a new species. A previous study showed that they deposited eggs in seeds of the closely related tree I. latifolia when I. integra was experimentally absent. However, natural occurrence of oviposition into I. latifolia or successful emergence from I. latifolia as adults had not been investigated. Thus, to determine whether M. hirsutum utilizes I. latifolia seeds in the fields, we dissected 536 I. integra seeds and 501 I. latifolia seeds. Macrodasyceras hirsutum larvae were found in 152/307 fertilized seeds of I. integra, while found in 16/285 fertilized seeds of I. latifolia. Additionally, 12 male and 13 female M. hirsutum adults emerged from I. latifolia berries collected from field. The present study confirmed natural occurrence of oviposition by M. hirsutum females in I. latifolia seeds and the emergence of adults from berries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian chestnut gall wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu, is one of the most serious pests of Castanea spp. worldwide. Since local parasitoids did not effectively control this exotic pest, the Chinese parasitoid Torymus sinensis Kamijo was released into Japan and Europe resulting in a successful control of the invader. A survey of native parasitoids usually infesting oak gall wasps but associated with D. kuriphilus was carried out, sampling chestnut galls in Italy in 2013. The effect of predictive variables (years since T. sinensis release, oak occurrence, type of chestnut formation, latitude) on composition and density of native parasitoid populations was modelled with Generalized Linear Models. In total, 4410 chalcid parasitoids were recorded, and the most abundant species were T. flavipes Walker, Eupelmus spp., and Bootanomyia (= Megastigmus ) dorsalis (F.). Introduction of T. sinensis and oak occurrence influenced native parasitoid richness, conversely to the latitude of the study area. In particular, every additional year of presence of T. sinensis was proved to determine the loss of about 14% of native species, and 32% of their population density. A positive correlation between the oak density occurring in the infested chestnut forests and the richness and abundance of native parasitoid species was recorded as well, highlighting how generalist parasitoids may switch hosts easily. A positive effect of increasing densities of oak trees was recorded on most of the taxa, except for T. geranii (Walker), Eupelmus spp., and Eurytoma pistaciae Rondani. Our results provide insight that both T. sinensis and oak trees affect native parasitoids, shedding light on the possible implications related to the release of exotic biological control agents on the recruitment and accumulation of native natural enemies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In response to the introduction and spread of the chestnut gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) in metropolitan France, including Corsica, the exotic parasitoid Torymus sinensis Kamijo (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) was deliberately introduced in more than 50 locations covering most of the areas of chestnut production. To test the impact of propagule pressure (i.e., the number and size of introductions) on establishment success and post‐release dynamics, the introductions were done according to three experimental modalities: (1) a single introduction of 100 females, (2) two sequential introductions of 50 females, or (3) a single introduction of 1 000 females. Post‐release surveys demonstrated a very high local establishment of T. sinensis, regardless of the introduction modality. Post‐introduction dynamics were found to follow a two‐phase process. First, early dynamics were characterized by an exponential growth of T. sinensis populations without a significant decrease in D. kuriphilus populations. Later, middle‐term dynamics indicated a global decrease in both D. kuriphilus and T. sinensis populations. Quite surprisingly, propagule pressure had a limited effect on post‐introduction dynamics, with a lasting demographic advantage for the largest introductions, but no influence of the number of introductions. Finally, site connectivity had a positive effect on T. sinensis population size, suggesting successful colonization and establishment at a wide spatial scale beyond the introduction sites. In addition, we observed that some T. sinensis exhibited a very short developmental time compared to the majority of the emerged individuals, which may be interpreted as a diversified bet hedging strategy against environmental stochasticity. These findings confirm the strong potential of T. sinensis for successful establishment and sustainable control of the chestnut gall wasp in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian chestnut gall wasp (ACGW; Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu, Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) is considered as one of the most dangerous pests of the genus Castanea. In southern Switzerland, repeated heavy ACGW attacks prevented chestnut trees from vegetating normally for years before the arrival and spread of the biological control agent Torymus sinensis (Kamijo, Hymenoptera, Torymidae). This resulted in a greatly reduced green biomass and flower production. In this paper, we analyze the impact of such an ecosystem alteration of the environment on the composition of produced honey. Six beekeepers were chosen from sites with different densities of chestnut trees, each of which providing series of honey samples from 2010 to 2016. We determined the chestnut component in the honeys via a combined chemical and sensory approach, and correlated the obtained results with the degree of yearly ACGW-induced crown damage and weather conditions during the period in question in the surrounding chestnut stands. The chestnut component in the analyzed honey sample series showed a strong correlation with the degree of ACGW-induced crown damage, whereas meteorological conditions of the corresponding year had a very marginal effect. Decreases in the chestnut component of the honey were statistically significant starting from a ACGW infestation level of 30%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agriculturae Slovenica is the property of Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A detailed redescription of Glyphomerus flavabdomen based on a previously unknown material from Georgia is represented. An improved key to the Palaearctic Glyphomerus species is provided. Review of trophical association of the Palaearctic species of Glyphomerus is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antennal sensory sensilla of Megastigmus sichuanensis Doğanlar et Zheng (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) were observed with scanning electron microscopy in this study. The antenna of M. sichuanensis was geniculate and the flagellum was composed of 11 subsegments. Four distinct types of sensory receptors were observed, including sensillum chaetica, sensillum trichodea, sensillum basiconica, and sensillum placodea. Two morphological subtypes of sensillum chaetica were found on the antennae, and sensillum trichodea was also divided into two morphological subtypes that were found on flagellum subsegments 2–10. Sensillum basiconica was divided into three morphological subtypes that were found on subsegments 8–10 of the flagellum, and sensillum placodea was only found on the flagellum. The shape, length, and diameter of antennae between male and female adults were similar. However, the length, diameter and number of the four distinct types of sensillum on the male were significantly greater than those of the female. The type, length, diameter, number, and distribution of these sensilla are described and their possible functions discussed. Future studies on the biology of olfaction and sexual communications in M. sichuanensis will be facilitated by these observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A post-release study was performed to assess the impact of Torymus sinensis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae), the biological control agent of Dryocosmus kuriphilus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), on native cynipid gall inducers in Italy. In total, 14,512 non-target galls were collected, corresponding to seven genera: Andricus, Aphelonyx, Biorhiza, Cynips, Diplolepis, Neuroterus, and Synophrus, and 8708 chalcid parasitoids were recorded. The Torymidae family accounted for about 30%, and Bootanomyia (= Megastigmus) dorsalis, Torymus affinis and T. flavipes were the most represented species. A total of 116 T. sinensis emerged from 15 different oak galls, mainly Andricus curvator and A. inflator. In controlled conditions, oviposition was recorded on A. cydoniae, A. grossulariae and A. lucidus, while no mating with native congeneric species occurred. This paper confirms the realised host-range expansion by T. sinensis. Even if it were extremely difficult to evaluate its magnitude, the impact appears minimal, and an occasional feeding with no changes in the distribution or abundance of non-target hosts is expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bulletin of the Iraq Natural History Museum is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bulletin of the Iraq Natural History Museum is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

It is speculated that the wasps that attack the seeds of gymnosperm trees (conifers) before they are fertilized can induce unfertilized seeds to accumulate storage material whereas those that attack after the seeds are fertilized selectively oviposit in fertilized seeds. Moreover, in the case of the wasps that oviposit after fertilization of seed, the presence of unfertilized seeds and seedless fruit may increase plant fitness via reduced parasitism of the viable seed. To determine the relationship between the two strategies, host manipulation or selective oviposition, and the time of fertilization of the seeds of angiosperm host plants, fertilized seed of Ilex integra Thunb. was dissected out of berries either immediately after the flight of the seed wasp Macrodasyceras hirsutum Kamijo in the field or the death of adults in the laboratory. The wasps oviposited mostly in fertilized seeds and rarely in unfertilized seeds. Unfertilized seeds, produced by flowers enclosed in pollen exclusion bags, and then exposed to wasps did not contain immature wasps or storage material, which indicates that the wasp did not oviposit in unfertilized seeds. These results support the above mentioned hypothesis and indicate that the substantial proportion of seedless berries do not function as an egg sink.

Aprostocetus micantulus (Thomson, 1878) (Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae), Torymus heyeri Wachtl, 1833 (Chalcidoidea: Torymidae), Pseudencyrtus idmon (Walker, 1848) (Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae) and Platy-gaster compressicornis (Thomson, 1859) (Platygasteroidea: Platygasteridae) are four main parasitoids reared from galls of Thecodiplosis brachyntera (Schwägrichen, 1835) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) developing on Pinus mugo L., P. rotundata Link, P. sylvestris L. and P. × pseudopumilio (Willk.) G. Beck (Pinaceae) in the Czech Republic during outbreak 1967-1972. Of total 4,279 parasitoid specimens, Platygaster compressicornis (1,778 specimens, 41%) was the most abundant, Aprostocetus micantulus (1,047 specimens, 25%) and Pseudencyrtus idmon (1,020 specimens, 24%) less abundant and Torymus heyeri (434 specimens, 10%) was on the fourth place of abundance. In laboratory conditions, adults of Platygaster compressicornis emerged simultaneously with adults of T. brachyntera, adults of Pseudencyrtus idmon and Torymus heyeri 14-24 days after emergence of T. brachyntera and adults of Aprostocetus micantulus after 24-60 days. Behaviour of adult parasitoid during the process of building the opening hole to escape from gall is described. Larvae identified and figured by FANKHÄNEL and ZELETZKI (1964) as larval stage of Misocyclops pini are misidentification; in reality they are the salivary glands of larvae of Thecodiplosis brachyntera.

A survey of seed chalcids from woody plants in Kenya revealed 12 species belonging to the genus Megastigmus Dalman, 1820, and has increased to 16 the number of Megastigmus species presently recorded from the Afrotropical Region, of which at least 13 are seed feeders. A key to female Megastigmus of the Afrotropical Region is provided. Eight new species are described from morphological evidence: M. lanneae Roques & Copeland, M. laventhali Roques & Copeland, M. ozoroae Roques & Copeland, and M. smithi Roques & Copeland in seeds of species of the family Anacardiaceae, M. copelandi Roques & Copeland and M. grewianae Roques & Copeland in seeds of Malvaceae, M. helinae Roques & Copeland in seeds of Rhamnaceae, and M. icipeensis Roques & Copeland for which no host is known. These collections include the first records of Malvaceae and Rhamnaceae as hosts of Megastigmus seed chalcids, which appear to have radiated in Angiosperms much more than previously considered. Analyses of the mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase subunit one - COI) and nuclear DNA (28S ribosomal region) could be carried out on 8 of the 16 African species of which 5 were newly described ones. The species associated with Anacardiaceae always clustered together in phylogenies, confirming the existence of a strong and ancestral monophyletic clade, unlike the ones associated with Malvaceae and Rhamnaceae, whose position remains unclear. All holotypes are deposited in the National Museums of Kenya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In successful classical biological control, natural enemies can provide enduring pest suppression if they reproduce and disperse without continued human management. To explain the efficient control exerted on the Asian chestnut gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) by the parasitoid Torymus sinensis Kamijo (Hymenoptera: Torymidae), it is required that the latter has the capacity to track the range expansion of its host. In the present study, we hypothesized that the distribution of infested patches and the prevailing wind directions would interactively influence and accelerate the spread of the parasitoid. It emerged that the spread capability of T. sinensis is high and likely affected by a combination of short- and long-distance flights (stratified dispersal). In particular, the ability to disperse long distances represents a successful trait of the parasitoid because the natural dispersal of its host is high and frequently aided by unintentional human-mediated transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of a twenty-year investigation, the life-cycle of Torymus cyanimus Boheman (Hymenoptera: Torymidae), a hyperparasitoid of a gall-forming fly in the Volga-Kama region is described. This parasitoid is the top-consumer in a food chain on Cirsium setosum (Willdenow) Iljin, in which the herbivore is Urophora cardui L. (Diptera: Tephritidae) and the primary parasitoids belong to the genus Eurytoma (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae). Mating and oviposition behaviour were studied, and the superparasitism and larval cannibalism investigated in the second parasitoid generation. The superparasitism in T. cyanimus evolved in connection with the ovipositor elongation, leading to eggs being laid later when the fly host has already been completely consumed by larvae of Eurytoma serratulae F. Hyperparasitism and larval cannibalism in the second generation of T. cyanimus might account for the evolution of hyperparasitism in this species.

The present survey was carried out in Şanlıurfa province in rice fields during 2013-2014 on Xanthium strumarium L. and Cyperus glomeratus L. infested with the oothecea of European mantid Mantis religiosa L. (Mantodea: Mantidae). Torymid parasitoid, Podagrion pachymerum (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) was obtained from M. religiosa oothecea collected from X. strumarium and C. glomeratus species in Şanlıurfa province. M. religiosa is a new host record for P. pachymerum inTurkey. In addition, P. pachymerum is a new record for the insect fauna of Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A female puparium ofEoxenos laboulbeneiDe Peyerimhoff (Strepsiptera: Insecta) found in Mula, Murcia, Spain was parasitized by five larvae ofIdiomacromerus gregarius(Silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Torymidae). The parasitized puparium was kept in the laboratory until the following summer, when fourI.gregariusadults emerged from it. This species of chalcidoid is rarely found. It was first described in 1943 from Italy by Silvestri and the present report is the first record from Spain. Here we re-examine and redescribe the newly discovered specimens ofI.gregarius, add further details about its morphology and give a brief account of its biology including a new record (the mengenillidE.laboulbenei). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]