Checklist of British and Irish Hymenoptera - Braconidae

Multiple horizontal transfers of a Helitron transposon associated with a parasitoid wasp

In a previous study we described a Helitron transposon that apparently became one of the segments in the symbiotic Cotesia vestalis bracovirus (CvBV) from the parasitoid wasp C. vestalis. We presented evidence that this Helitron, named Hel_c35, invaded the C. vestalis genome through a horizontal transfer (HT) event from a dipteran and was later transferred horizontally from C. vestalis to a lepidopteran species. Based on the phylogeny of Hel_c35, we suggested that both HTs occurred in East Asia. We have also anticipated that, as more sequenced genomes from new species become available, more HTs involving Hel_c35 would be detected. Although the inclusion of Hel_c35 as a CvBV segment turned out to be a methodological artifact, the fact that Hel_c35 copies are present in the genomes of C. vestalis and other arthropods still remains. Here, we investigated the evolution of Hel_c35 in arthropods using an updated data set to reassess our previous findings. Most species (95%) included in the present work had their genomes sequenced after our initial study was published, thus representing new descriptions of taxa harboring Hel_c35. Our results expand considerably the number of putative HTs involving Hel_c35, with up to dozens of previously undescribed events, and suggest that the most recent HTs associated with C. vestalis took place in Europe. Considering the phylogenetic distribution of Hel_c35, and the evidence that its DNA sequences are present in the calyx fluid of C. vestalis and tissues from its parasitized host, we argue that many HT events were favored by the behavior of this wasp.

Sizing the Knowledge Gap in Taxonomy: The Last Dozen Years of Aphidiinae Research

Simple Summary

Taxonomy is a biological discipline with the task to identify, name, and describe organisms, and as such, it provides necessary data for all other biological disciplines. The biodiversity crisis through which we are living draws attention to the crucial role of taxonomy in biology today. At the same time, the scientific community, as well as society in general, has become more aware of the difficulties associated with taxonomy, such as gaps in taxonomic knowledge, a lack of taxonomic infrastructure, and an insufficient number of taxonomic experts (“taxonomic impediment”). With this study, we tried to size this knowledge gap by analyzing the taxonomical studies on Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) conducted from 2010 to 2021. Aphidiinae are endoparasitoids of aphids; a single specimen completes its development inside the living aphid host, which are used in biological control programs. Here, we summarize the knowledge gathered over the last dozen years and discuss it in a general context.

Abstract

Taxonomic impediment is one of the main roadblocks to managing the current biodiversity crisis. Insect taxonomy is the biggest contributor to the taxonomic impediment, both in terms of the knowledge gap and the lack of experts. With this study, we tried to size the knowledge gap by analyzing taxonomical studies on the subfamily Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) conducted from 2010 to 2021. All available taxonomic knowledge gathered in this period is critically summarized: newly described species, detection of alien species, published identification keys, etc. All findings are discussed relative to the current state of general taxonomy. Future prospects for taxonomy are also discussed.

The potential of the solitary parasitoid Microctonus brassicae for the biological control of the adult cabbage stem flea beetle, Psylliodes chrysocephala

The cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB), Psylliodes chrysocephala L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a major pest of oilseed rape, Brassica napus L. (Brassicaceae), within the UK and continental Europe. Following the withdrawal of many broad-spectrum pesticides, most importantly neonicotinoids, and with increased incidence of pyrethroid resistance, few chemical control options remain, resulting in the need for alternative pest management strategies. We identified the parasitoid wasp Microctonus brassicae (Haeselbarth) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) within CSFB collected from three independent sites in Norfolk, UK. Parasitism of adult CSFB was confirmed, and wasp oviposition behaviour was described. Moreover, we show that within captive colonies parasitism rates are sufficient to generate significant biological control of CSFB populations. A sequence of the M. brassicae mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (MT-CO1) gene was generated for rapid future identification. Moroccan specimens of Microctonus aethiopoides (Loan), possessing 90% sequence similarity, were the closest identified sequenced species. This study represents the first description published in English of this parasitoid of the adult cabbage stem flea beetle.

Annotated and illustrated world checklist of Microgastrinae parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera, Braconidae)

A checklist of world species of Microgastrinae parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is provided. A total of 81 genera and 2,999 extant species are recognized as valid, including 36 nominal species that are currently considered as species inquirendae. Two genera are synonymized under Apanteles. Nine lectotypes are designated. A total of 318 new combinations, three new replacement names, three species name amendments, and seven species status revised are proposed. Additionally, three species names are treated as nomina dubia, and 52 species names are considered as unavailable names (including 14 as nomina nuda). A total of three extinct genera and 12 extinct species are also listed. Unlike in many previous treatments of the subfamily, tribal concepts are judged to be inadequate, so genera are listed alphabetically. Brief diagnoses of all Microgastrinae genera, as understood in this paper, are presented. Illustrations of all extant genera (at least one species per genus, usually more) are included to showcase morphological diversity. Primary types of Microgastrinae are deposited in 108 institutions worldwide, although 76% are concentrated in 17 collections. Localities of primary types, in 138 countries, are reported. Recorded species distributions are listed by biogeographical region and by country. Microgastrine wasps are recorded from all continents except Antarctica; specimens can be found in all major terrestrial ecosystems, from 82°N to 55°S, and from sea level up to at least 4,500 m a.s.l. The Oriental (46) and Neotropical (43) regions have the largest number of genera recorded, whereas the Palaearctic region (28) is the least diverse. Currently, the highest species richness is in the Palearctic region (827), due to more historical study there, followed by the Neotropical (768) and Oriental (752) regions, which are expected to be the most species rich. Based on ratios of Lepidoptera and Microgastrinae species from several areas, the actual world diversity of Microgastrinae is expected to be between 30,000–50,000 species; although these ratios were mostly based on data from temperate areas and thus must be treated with caution, the single tropical area included had a similar ratio to the temperate ones. Almost 45,000 specimens of Microgastrinae from 67 different genera (83% of microgastrine genera) have complete or partial DNA barcode sequences deposited in the Barcode of Life Data System; the DNA barcodes represent 3,545 putative species or Barcode Index Numbers (BINs), as estimated from the molecular data. Information on the number of sequences and BINs per genus are detailed in the checklist. Microgastrinae hosts are here considered to be restricted to Eulepidoptera, i.e., most of the Lepidoptera except for the four most basal superfamilies (Micropterigoidea, Eriocranioidea, Hepialoidea and Nepticuloidea), with all previous literature records of other insect orders and those primitive Lepidoptera lineages being considered incorrect. The following nomenclatural acts are proposed: 1) Two genera are synonymyzed under Apanteles: Cecidobracon Kieffer & Jörgensen, 1910, new synonym and Holcapanteles Cameron, 1905, new synonym; 2) Nine lectotype designations are made for Alphomelondisputabile (Ashmead, 1900), Alphomelonnigriceps (Ashmead, 1900), Cotesiasalebrosa (Marshall, 1885), Diolcogasterxanthaspis (Ashmead, 1900), Dolichogenideaononidis (Marshall, 1889), Glyptapantelesacraeae (Wilkinson, 1932), Glyptapantelesguyanensis (Cameron, 1911), Glyptapantelesmilitaris (Walsh, 1861), and Pseudapantelesannulicornis Ashmead, 1900; 3) Three new replacement names are a) Diolcogasteraurangabadensis Fernandez-Triana, replacing Diolcogasterindicus (Rao & Chalikwar, 1970) [nec Diolcogasterindicus (Wilkinson, 1927)], b) Dolichogenideaincystatae Fernandez-Triana, replacing Dolichogenidealobesia Liu & Chen, 2019 [nec Dolichogenidealobesia Fagan-Jeffries & Austin, 2019], and c) Microplitisvitobiasi Fernandez-Triana, replacing Microplitisvariicolor Tobias, 1964 [nec Microplitisvaricolor Viereck, 1917]; 4) Three names amended are Apantelesirenecarrilloae Fernandez-Triana, 2014, Cotesiaayerzai (Brèthes, 1920), and Cotesiariverai (Porter, 1916); 5) Seven species have their status revised: Cotesiaarctica (Thomson, 1895), Cotesiaokamotoi (Watanabe, 1921), Cotesiaukrainica (Tobias, 1986), Dolichogenideaappellator (Telenga, 1949), Dolichogenideamurinanae (Capek & Zwölfer, 1957), Hypomicrogasteracarnas Nixon, 1965, and Nyererianigricoxis (Wilkinson, 1932); 6) New combinations are given for 318 species: Alloplitiscongensis, Alloplitisdetractus, Apantelesasphondyliae, Apantelesbraziliensis, Apantelessulciscutis, Choerasaper, Choerasapollion, Choerasdaphne, Choerasfomes, Choerasgerontius, Choerashelle, Choerasirates, Choeraslibanius, Choeraslongiterebrus, Choerasloretta, Choerasrecusans, Choerassordidus, Choerasstenoterga, Choerassuperbus, Choerassylleptae, Choerasvacillatrix, Choerasvacillatropsis, Choerasvenilia, Cotesiaasavari, Cotesiabactriana, Cotesiabambeytripla, Cotesiaberberidis, Cotesiabhairavi, Cotesiabiezankoi, Cotesiabifida, Cotesiacaligophagus, Cotesiacheesmanae, Cotesiacompressithorax, Cotesiadelphinensis, Cotesiaeffrena, Cotesiaeuphobetri, Cotesiaelaeodes, Cotesiaendii, Cotesiaeuthaliae, Cotesiaexelastisae, Cotesiahiberniae, Cotesiahyperion, Cotesiahypopygialis, Cotesiahypsipylae, Cotesiajujubae, Cotesialesbiae, Cotesialevigaster, Cotesializeri, Cotesiamalevola, Cotesiamalshri, Cotesiamenezesi, Cotesiamuzaffarensis, Cotesianeptisis, Cotesianycteus, Cotesiaoeceticola, Cotesiaoppidicola, Cotesiaopsiphanis, Cotesiapachkuriae, Cotesiapaludicolae, Cotesiaparbhanii, Cotesiaparvicornis, Cotesiapratapae, Cotesiaprozorovi, Cotesiapterophoriphagus, Cotesiaradiarytensis, Cotesiarangii, Cotesiariverai, Cotesiaruficoxis, Cotesiasenegalensis, Cotesiaseyali, Cotesiasphenarchi, Cotesiasphingivora, Cotesiatransuta, Cotesiaturkestanica, Diolcogasterabengouroui, Diolcogasteragama, Diolcogasterambositrensis, Diolcogasteranandra, Diolcogasterannulata, Diolcogasterbambeyi, Diolcogasterbicolorina, Diolcogastercariniger, Diolcogastercincticornis, Diolcogastercingulata, Diolcogastercoronata, Diolcogastercoxalis, Diolcogasterdipika, Diolcogasterearina, Diolcogasterepectina, Diolcogasterepectinopsis, Diolcogastergrangeri, Diolcogasterheterocera, Diolcogasterhomocera, Diolcogasterindica, Diolcogasterinsularis, Diolcogasterkivuana, Diolcogastermediosulcata, Diolcogastermegaulax, Diolcogasterneglecta, Diolcogasternigromacula, Diolcogasterpalpicolor, Diolcogasterpersimilis, Diolcogasterplecopterae, Diolcogasterplutocongoensis, Diolcogasterpsilocnema, Diolcogasterrufithorax, Diolcogastersemirufa, Diolcogasterseyrigi, Diolcogastersubtorquata, Diolcogastersulcata, Diolcogastertorquatiger, Diolcogastertristiculus, Diolcogasterturneri, Diolcogastervulcana, Diolcogasterwittei, Distatrixanthedon, Distatrixcerales, Distatrixcuspidalis, Distatrixeuproctidis, Distatrixflava, Distatrixgeometrivora, Distatrixmaia, Distatrixtookei, Distatrixtermina, Distatrixsimulissima, Dolichogenideaagamedes, Dolichogenideaaluella, Dolichogenideaargiope, Dolichogenideaatreus, Dolichogenideabakeri, Dolichogenideabasiflava, Dolichogenideabersa, Dolichogenideabiplagae, Dolichogenideabisulcata, Dolichogenideacatonix, Dolichogenideachrysis, Dolichogenideacoffea, Dolichogenideacoretas, Dolichogenideacyane, Dolichogenideadiaphantus, Dolichogenideadiparopsidis, Dolichogenideadryas, Dolichogenideaearterus, Dolichogenideaensiger, Dolichogenideaeros, Dolichogenideaevadne, Dolichogenideafalcator, Dolichogenideagelechiidivoris, Dolichogenideagobica, Dolichogenideahyalinis, Dolichogenideairiarte, Dolichogenidealakhaensis, Dolichogenidealampe, Dolichogenidealaspeyresiella, Dolichogenidealatistigma, Dolichogenidealebene, Dolichogenidealucidinervis, Dolichogenideamalacosomae, Dolichogenideamaro, Dolichogenideamendosae, Dolichogenideamonticola, Dolichogenideanigra, Dolichogenideaolivierellae, Dolichogenideaparallelis, Dolichogenideapelopea, Dolichogenideapelops, Dolichogenideaphaenna, Dolichogenideapisenor, Dolichogenidearoepkei, Dolichogenideascabra, Dolichogenideastatius, Dolichogenideastenotelas, Dolichogenideastriata, Dolichogenideawittei, Exoryzaasotae, Exoryzabelippicola, Exoryzahylas, Exoryzamegagaster, Exoryzaoryzae, Glyptapantelesaggestus, Glyptapantelesagynus, Glyptapantelesaithos, Glyptapantelesamenophis, Glyptapantelesantarctiae, Glyptapantelesanubis, Glyptapantelesarginae, Glyptapantelesargus, Glyptapantelesatylana, Glyptapantelesbadgleyi, Glyptapantelesbataviensis, Glyptapantelesbistonis, Glyptapantelesborocerae, Glyptapantelescacao, Glyptapantelescadei, Glyptapantelescinyras, Glyptapanteleseryphanidis, Glyptapanteleseuproctisiphagus, Glyptapanteleseutelus, Glyptapantelesfabiae, Glyptapantelesfulvigaster, Glyptapantelesfuscinervis, Glyptapantelesgahinga, Glyptapantelesglobatus, Glyptapantelesglyphodes, Glyptapantelesguierae, Glyptapanteleshorus, Glyptapantelesintricatus, Glyptapanteleslamprosemae, Glyptapanteleslefevrei, Glyptapantelesleucotretae, Glyptapanteleslissopleurus, Glyptapantelesmadecassus, Glyptapantelesmarquesi, Glyptapantelesmelanotus, Glyptapantelesmelissus, Glyptapantelesmerope, Glyptapantelesnaromae, Glyptapantelesnepitae, Glyptapantelesnigrescens, Glyptapantelesninus, Glyptapantelesnkuli, Glyptapantelesparasundanus, Glyptapantelespenelope, Glyptapantelespenthocratus, Glyptapantelesphilippinensis, Glyptapantelesphilocampus, Glyptapantelesphoebe, Glyptapantelesphytometraduplus, Glyptapantelespropylae, Glyptapantelespuera, Glyptapantelesseydeli, Glyptapantelessiderion, Glyptapantelessimus, Glyptapantelesspeciosissimus, Glyptapantelesspilosomae, Glyptapantelessubpunctatus, Glyptapantelesthespis, Glyptapantelesthoseae, Glyptapantelesvenustus, Glyptapanteleswilkinsoni, Hypomicrogastersamarshalli, Iconellacajani, Iconelladetrectans, Iconellajason, Iconellalynceus, Iconellapyrene, Iconellatedanius, Illidopsazamgarhensis, Illidopslamprosemae, Illidopstrabea, Keylimepiestriatus, Microplitisadisurae, Microplitismexicanus, Neoclarkinellaariadne, Neoclarkinellacurvinervus, Neoclarkinellasundana, Nyereriaituriensis, Nyererianioro, Nyereriaproagynus, Nyereriataoi, Nyereriavallatae, Parapantelesaethiopicus, Parapantelesalternatus, Parapantelesaso, Parapantelesatellae, Parapantelesbagicha, Parapantelescleo, Parapantelescyclorhaphus, Parapantelesdemades, Parapantelesendymion, Parapantelesepiplemicidus, Parapantelesexpulsus, Parapantelesfallax, Parapantelesfolia, Parapantelesfurax, Parapanteleshemitheae, Parapanteleshyposidrae, Parapantelesindicus, Parapantelesjavensis, Parapantelesjhaverii, Parapantelesmaculipalpis, Parapantelesmaynei, Parapantelesneocajani, Parapantelesneohyblaeae, Parapantelesnydia, Parapantelesprosper, Parapantelesprosymna, Parapantelespunctatissimus, Parapantelesregalis, Parapantelessarpedon, Parapantelessartamus, Parapantelesscultena, Parapantelestransvaalensis, Parapantelesturri, Parapantelesxanthopholis, Pholetesoracutus, Pholetesorbrevivalvatus, Pholetesorextentus, Pholetesoringenuoides, Pholetesorkuwayamai, Promicrogasterapidanus, Promicrogasterbriareus, Promicrogasterconopiae, Promicrogasteremesa, Promicrogastergrandicula, Promicrogasterorsedice, Promicrogasterrepleta, Promicrogastertyphon, Sathonbekilyensis, Sathonflavofacialis, Sathonlaurae, Sathonmikeno, Sathonruandanus, Sathonrufotestaceus, Venanidesastydamia, Venanidesdemeter, Venanidesparmula, and Venanidessymmysta.

A review of insect parasitoids associated with Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) in Italy. 1. DipteraTachinidae and HymenopteraBraconidae (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae)

This paper is aimed to summarize the information available on the parasitoid complex of the European Grapevine Moth (EGVM), Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) (Lepidoptera Tortricidae) in Italy. The list is the result of the consultation of a vast bibliography published in Italy for almost two hundred years, from 1828 to date. This allowed the clarification and correction of misunderstandings and mistakes on the taxonomic position of each species listed. In Italy the complex of parasitoids detected on EGVM includes approximately 90 species belonging to ten families of Hymenoptera (Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, Chalcididae, Eulophidae, Eupelmidae, Eurytomidae, Pteromalidae, Torymidae, Trichogrammatidae, and Bethylidae) and one family of Diptera (Tachinidae). This paper deals with EGVM parasitoids of the families Tachinidae (Diptera) and Braconidae (Hymenoptera). Only two species of Tachinidae are associated to EGVM larvae in Italy, Actia pilipennis (Fallen) and Phytomyptera nigrina (Meigen), whereas the record of Eurysthaea scutellaris (Robineau-Desvoidy) is doubtful. Moreover, 21 species of Braconidae are reported to live on EGVM, but, unfortunately, eight of them were identified only at generic level. Bracon mellitor Say has been incorrectly listed among the parasitoids of Lobesia botrana. Records concerning Ascogaster rufidens Wesmael, Meteorus sp., Microgaster rufipes Nees, and Microplitis tuberculifer (Wesmael) are uncertain.

Braconinae parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) emerged from larvae of Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) feeding on Daphne gnidium L

Braconadmotus Papp, 2000, and three species of the genus Habrobracon Ashmead, 1895, Habrobraconconcolorans (Marshall, 1900), Habrobraconhebetor (Say, 1836) and Habrobraconpillerianae Fischer, 1980, were obtained from the larvae of Lobesiabotrana (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) feeding on Daphnegnidium Linnaeus, 1753 (Thymelaeaceae) in the natural reserve of Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli (Pisa-Central Italy). Braconadmotus, Habrobraconconcolorans and Habrobraconpillerianae were found for the first time to be associated with Lobesiabotrana, while Habrobraconhebetor was reared for the first time from the larvae of Cryptoblabesgnidiella (Millière, 1867) (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae, Phycitinae) that was found on the same host plant. Braconadmotus and Habrobraconpillerianae are new to the fauna of Italy and Western Europe. A key is proposed for the determination of Habrobracon species reared from Lobesiabotrana and related Palaearctic species of this genus. Habrobraconlineatellae Fisher, 1968 is considered as a valid species.