Phylogenetics and classification of the world genera of Diparinae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

A morphological phylogenetic analysis of the world genera of Diparinae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is provided, and the generic classification is revised. A hypothesized phylogeny is given based on 73 characters, primarily from adult females. The diparines are supported as monophyletic in all analyses based on 4–6 synapomorphies depending on their sister-group, including the presence of a cercal brush which is synapomorphic in all analyses. The cercal brush, in combination with the absence of a smooth, convex dorsellum, is diagnostic for Diparinae. Liepara Bou…ek (Pteromalidae: subfamily inquirenda) and Bohpa Darling (Pteromalidae: Ceinae) both appear as sister-group to Diparinae in different analyses. In the proposed classification scheme, Diparinae consists of 116 species in 14 genera. Nine genera are removed from Diparinae, two of which are placed in synonymy: Calolelaps Timberlake, Dinarmolaelaps Masi, Mesolelaps Ashmead, Neolelaps Ashmead, and Stictolelaps Timberlake are placed in Pteromalinae (Pteromalidae), while Seyrigina Risbec is placed in Eulophinae (Eulophidae); Diparisca Hedqvist is synonymized under Spalangiopelta Masi (Pteromalidae: Ceinae); Bekiliella Risbec is synonymized under Notanisus Walker (Pteromalidae: Cleonyminae); and Liepara Bou…ek and the tribe Lieparini Bou…ek are placed in Pteromalidae without a subfamily association. Fifteen new generic synonyms are proposed: Afrolelaps Hedqvist, Alloterra Kieffer and Marshall, Diparomorpha Hedqvist, Emersonia Girault, Grahamisia Delucchi, Parurios Girault, Pondia Hedqvist, Pseudipara Girault, Trimicrops Kieffer, and Uriolelaps Girault under Dipara Walker; Spalangiolelaps Girault under Lelaps Walker; Australolaelaps Girault under Neapterolelaps Girault; Dolichodipara Hedqvist under Myrmicolelaps Hedqvist; and Dipareta Bou…ek and Malinka Bou…ek under Pseudoceraphron Dodd. Three genera are described as new: Cerodipara, Dozodipara, and Chimaerolelaps. Fourteen new species are described: Cerodipara sabensis, Chimaerolelaps villosa, Conophorisca littoriticus, C. grisselli, Dozodipara insularis, Lelaps noortii, Myrmicolelaps iridius, M. aurantius, Neapterolelaps viridescens, N. mitteri, Nosodipara ferrana, Pseudoceraphron regieri, P. burwelli, and P. fijensis. A key to the genera of Diparinae is provided. The species of each genus are cataloged, and species-level keys are provided for most genera in which new species are described. New biological information shows that diparine host range is not restricted to Curculionidae as previously thought; one species of Myrmicolelaps was reared from mantid oothecae and a second from a tsetse fly puparium (Glossinidae: Glossina).