New species and new records of Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) in Southeast Brazil.

During an inventory of Ichneumonidae wasps in the urban area of São Carlos, São Paulo, using Malaise traps, was found the first records in Brazil for Lissonota pseudeleboea Ugalde and Gauld, 2002 and Syzeuctus vedoris Ugalde and Gauld, 2002 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Banchinae) and was described and illustrated a new species of Zonopimpla Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Pimplinae).

First record of the parasitoid wasp Lymeon sp. (Ichneumonidae: Cryptinae) associated with spider eggs-sac of Araneus vincibilis (Araneae: Araneidae) in Northeastern Brazil / Primeiro registro da vespa parasitóide Lymeon sp. (Ichneumonidae: Cryptinae) associada ao ovissaco da aranha Araneus vincibilis (Araneae: Araneidae) no Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract Lymeon Förster, 1869 is a very large genus of the Cryptinae (Ichneumonidae) with predominantly Neotropical distribution where females attack small cocoons of various groups of insects and spider eggs-sac. In the present study, we report the first record the interaction between the parasitoid wasp Lymeon sp. (Ichneumonidae), with eggs-sac of spider Araneus vincibilis (Araneidae) in Northeastern Brazil. We observed that although the female of A. vincibilis cares for the eggs that were attacked by Lymeon sp, the wasp larva consumed about 80% of spider eggs, indicating that both maternal care and the physical barrier offered by the eggs-sac may not provide absolute defense against predators.

Resumo Lymeon Förster, 1869 é um grande gênero de Cryptinae (Ichneumonidae) com distribuição predominantemente neotropical, onde fêmeas atacam pequenos casulos de vários grupos de insetos e ovissacos de aranha. No presente estudo, relatamos o primeiro registro da interação entre a vespa parasitoide Lymeon sp. (Ichneumonidae), com o ovissaco da aranha Araneus vincibilis (Araneidae) no Nordeste do Brasil. Observamos que, embora a fêmea de A. vincibilis cuide dos ovos que foram atacados por Lymeon sp, a larva da vespa consumiu cerca de 80% dos ovos da aranha, indicando que tanto o cuidado maternal quanto a barreira física oferecida pelo ovissaco não podem fornecer defesa absoluta contra predadores.

Altitudinal effects on diversity of Pimplinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) from Southeast Brazil and description of new species / Efeitos altitudinais na diversidade de Pimplinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) da região sudeste do Brasil e descrição de novas espécies

Abstract In this study the diversity of Pimplinae at three different altitude zones in the Reserva Biológica da Serra do Japi Jundiaí, SP, Brazil was investigated with a total of 18 genera and 91 morphospecies collected by Malaise traps. Highest abundance and richness of Pimplinae were found in low and high altitudes, respectively. In the intermediate altitude occurred greater diversity and equitability, with greater similarity to high altitude. The genera Pimpla and Neotheronia were the most abundant; Pimpla caerulea Brullé, 1846 was the most frequent species. A new species of the genus Acrotaphus and two new species of the genus Polysphincta were found. Descriptions of the new species and identification keys are presented.

Resumo Neste estudo a diversidade de Pimplinae em três diferentes altitudes na Reserva Biológica da Serra do Japi, Jundiaí, SP, Brasil foi investigada com um total de 18 gêneros e 91 morfoespécies capturadas por armadilhas Malaise. Nas altitudes baixa e alta ocorreram maior abundância e riqueza em gêneros, respectivamente. Na altitude intermediária ocorreu maior diversidade e equitabilidade, com maior similaridade na altitude alta. Os gêneros Pimpla e Neotheronia foram os mais abundantes. Pimpla caerulea Brullé, 1846 foi a espécie mais frequente. Uma nova espécie do gênero Acrotaphus e duas novas espécies do gênero Polysphincta foram encontradas. As descrições das novas espécies e as chaves de identificação são apresentadas.

Two new species of Platydoryctes Barbalho and Penteado-Dias, 2000 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae) from Brazil, with an identification key for species / Duas novas espécies de Platydoryctes Barbalho e Penteado-Dias, 2000 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae) do Brasil, com uma chave de identificação para espécies

Abstract Platydoryctes Barbalho and Penteado-Dias 2000 is a small genus of Neotropical parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae) with four described species to date. Two new species of the genus are described from Brazil, and a key to species is presented in this paper.

Resumo Platydoryctes Barbalho and Penteado-Dias 2000 é um pequeno gênero Neotropical de vespas parasitoides (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae), com quatro espécies descritas até o presente. Duas novas espécies do gênero são descritas para o Brasil e uma chave para espécies é apresentada neste trabalho.

Two new species of Platydoryctes Barbalho and Penteado-Dias, 2000 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae) from Brazil, with an identification key for species.

Platydoryctes Barbalho and Penteado-Dias 2000 is a small genus of Neotropical parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae) with four described species to date. Two new species of the genus are described from Brazil, and a key to species is presented in this paper.

Altitudinal effects on diversity of Pimplinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) from Southeast Brazil and description of new species.

In this study the diversity of Pimplinae at three different altitude zones in the Reserva Biológica da Serra do Japi Jundiaí, SP, Brazil was investigated with a total of 18 genera and 91 morphospecies collected by Malaise traps. Highest abundance and richness of Pimplinae were found in low and high altitudes, respectively. In the intermediate altitude occurred greater diversity and equitability, with greater similarity to high altitude. The genera Pimpla and Neotheronia were the most abundant; Pimpla caerulea Brullé, 1846 was the most frequent species. A new species of the genus Acrotaphus and two new species of the genus Polysphincta were found. Descriptions of the new species and identification keys are presented.

First record of the parasitoid wasp Lymeon sp. (Ichneumonidae: Cryptinae) associated with spider eggs-sac of Araneus vincibilis (Araneae: Araneidae) in Northeastern Brazil.

Lymeon Förster, 1869 is a very large genus of the Cryptinae (Ichneumonidae) with predominantly Neotropical distribution where females attack small cocoons of various groups of insects and spider eggs-sac. In the present study, we report the first record the interaction between the parasitoid wasp Lymeon sp. (Ichneumonidae), with eggs-sac of spider Araneus vincibilis (Araneidae) in Northeastern Brazil. We observed that although the female of A. vincibilis cares for the eggs that were attacked by Lymeon sp, the wasp larva consumed about 80% of spider eggs, indicating that both maternal care and the physical barrier offered by the eggs-sac may not provide absolute defense against predators.

Altitudinal effects on diversity of Pimplinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) from Southeast Brazil and description of new species

Abstract In this study the diversity of Pimplinae at three different altitude zones in the Reserva Biológica da Serra do Japi Jundiaí, SP, Brazil was investigated with a total of 18 genera and 91 morphospecies collected by Malaise traps. Highest abundance and richness of Pimplinae were found in low and high altitudes, respectively. In the intermediate altitude occurred greater diversity and equitability, with greater similarity to high altitude. The genera Pimpla and Neotheronia were the most abundant; Pimpla caerulea Brullé, 1846 was the most frequent species. A new species of the genus Acrotaphus and two new species of the genus Polysphincta were found. Descriptions of the new species and identification keys are presented.

Resumo Neste estudo a diversidade de Pimplinae em três diferentes altitudes na Reserva Biológica da Serra do Japi, Jundiaí, SP, Brasil foi investigada com um total de 18 gêneros e 91 morfoespécies capturadas por armadilhas Malaise. Nas altitudes baixa e alta ocorreram maior abundância e riqueza em gêneros, respectivamente. Na altitude intermediária ocorreu maior diversidade e equitabilidade, com maior similaridade na altitude alta. Os gêneros Pimpla e Neotheronia foram os mais abundantes. Pimpla caerulea Brullé, 1846 foi a espécie mais frequente. Uma nova espécie do gênero Acrotaphus e duas novas espécies do gênero Polysphincta foram encontradas. As descrições das novas espécies e as chaves de identificação são apresentadas.

Two new species of Platydoryctes Barbalho and Penteado-Dias, 2000 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae) from Brazil, with an identification key for species

Abstract Platydoryctes Barbalho and Penteado-Dias 2000 is a small genus of Neotropical parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae) with four described species to date. Two new species of the genus are described from Brazil, and a key to species is presented in this paper.

Resumo Platydoryctes Barbalho and Penteado-Dias 2000 é um pequeno gênero Neotropical de vespas parasitoides (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae), com quatro espécies descritas até o presente. Duas novas espécies do gênero são descritas para o Brasil e uma chave para espécies é apresentada neste trabalho.

First record of the parasitoid wasp Lymeon sp. (Ichneumonidae: Pimplinae) associated with spider eggs-sac of Araneus vincibilis (Araneae: Araneidae) in Northeastern Brazil

Abstract Lymeon Förster, 1869 is a very large genus of the Cryptinae (Ichneumonidae) with predominantly Neotropical distribution where females attack small cocoons of various groups of insects and spider eggs-sac. In the present study, we report the first record the interaction between the parasitoid wasp Lymeon sp. (Ichneumonidae), with eggs-sac of spider Araneus vincibilis (Araneidae) in Northeastern Brazil. We observed that although the female of A. vincibilis cares for the eggs that were attacked by Lymeon sp, the wasp larva consumed about 80% of spider eggs, indicating that both maternal care and the physical barrier offered by the eggs-sac may not provide absolute defense against predators.

Resumo Lymeon Förster, 1869 é um grande gênero de Cryptinae (Ichneumonidae) com distribuição predominantemente neotropical, onde fêmeas atacam pequenos casulos de vários grupos de insetos e ovissacos de aranha. No presente estudo, relatamos o primeiro registro da interação entre a vespa parasitoide Lymeon sp. (Ichneumonidae), com o ovissaco da aranha Araneus vincibilis (Araneidae) no Nordeste do Brasil. Observamos que, embora a fêmea de A. vincibilis cuide dos ovos que foram atacados por Lymeon sp, a larva da vespa consumiu cerca de 80% dos ovos da aranha, indicando que tanto o cuidado maternal quanto a barreira física oferecida pelo ovissaco não podem fornecer defesa absoluta contra predadores.

A new species of Tanycarpa Förster (1862) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae: Alysiinae) from Itatiaia National Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Uma nova espécie de Tanycarpa Förster (1862) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) do Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract This is the first description of a species of the genus Tanycarpa Förster (1862) for Brazil. Forty-eight specimens were collected in High Montane Dense Ombrophilous Forest area at National Park of Itatiaia, RJ, using four Malaise traps installed, respectively, at four different altitudes. This study is based on a description of two species of Tanycarpa from Colombia, Tanycarpa edithae and Tanycarpa sarmientoi, which are the only species of this genus recognized for the neotropics.

Resumo Esta é a primeira descrição de uma espécie do gênero Tanycarpa Förster (1862) para o Brasil. Foram coletados 48 espécimes em uma área de Floresta Ombrófila Densa Alto Montana do Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, RJ, com o uso de quatro armadilhas Malaise instaladas, respectivamente, em quatro altitudes diferentes. Este trabalho foi baseado na descrição de duas espécies de Tanycarpa da Colômbia, Tanycarpa edithae e Tanycarpa sarimentoi, as únicas espécies desse gênero reconhecidas para a região Neotropical.

A new species of Tanycarpa Förster (1862) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae: Alysiinae) from Itatiaia National Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This is the first description of a species of the genus Tanycarpa Förster (1862) for Brazil. Forty-eight specimens were collected in High Montane Dense Ombrophilous Forest area at National Park of Itatiaia, RJ, using four Malaise traps installed, respectively, at four different altitudes. This study is based on a description of two species of Tanycarpa from Colombia, Tanycarpa edithae and Tanycarpa sarmientoi, which are the only species of this genus recognized for the neotropics.

Redescription of Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron, 1886) (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae), parasitoid of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) in Brazil.

The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae) is a voracious pest of numerous crops of economic importance throughout the New World. In Brazil, its larvae are attacked by several species of parasitoid wasps, making them potential candidate as biological control agents against this pest. A survey of the parasitoid fauna on S. frugiperda in maize crops throughout Brazil reveals two species of Campoletis, which are morphologicaly very similar species. In this paper we combine these data with pictures from the type material of C. sonorensis and C. flavicincta, as well as their descriptions to provide a redescription to Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron, 1886) using for this both morphological characters and DNA Barcoding (Hebert et al., 2003) information, in an attempt to help with the correct identification of the taxa to improve biological control studies.

Study on the Hymenoptera parasitoid associated with Lepidoptera larvae in reforestation and agrosilvopastoral systems at Fazenda Canchim (Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste) São Carlos, SP, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to characterize the local fauna of Hymenoptera parasitoids associated with Lepidoptera larvae in areas of reforestation and agrosilvopastoral systems at Fazenda Canchim (Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, São Carlos, SP, Brazil). Lepidoptera larvae collected with entomological umbrella were kept in the laboratory until emergence of adults or their parasitoids. From those collected in the agrosilvopastoral system, emerged 267 specimens of hymenopteran parasitoids belonging to 16 genera: Braconidae, Agathidinae (Alabagrus), Braconinae (Bracon), Microgastrinae (Cotesia, Diolcogaster, Glyptapanteles, Pholetesor and Protapanteles), Orgilinae (Orgilus); Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae (Casinaria, Charops and Microcharops); Chalcididae, Chalcidinae (Brachymeria and Conura); Eulophidae, Entedoninae (Horismenus), Eulophinae (Elachertus and Euplectrus). From the Lepidoptera larvae collected in the reforestation, emerged 68 specimens of hymenopteran parasitoids, belonging to 8 genera: Chalcididae, Chalcidinae (Conura); Ichneumonidae, Pimplinae (Neotheronia), Campopleginae (Charops and Microcharops) and Braconidae, Microgastrinae (Apanteles, Diolcogaster, Distatrix, Glyptapanteles and Protapanteles). The results of this study suggest the occurrence of a wide variety of Hymenoptera parasitoids in the studied environments.

Study on the Hymenoptera parasitoid associated with Lepidoptera larvae in reforestation and agrosilvopastoral systems at Fazenda Canchim (Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste) São Carlos, SP, Brazil / Estudo dos Hymenoptera parasitoides associados a larvas de Lepidoptera em reflorestamento e sistema agrossilvipastoril na Fazenda Canchim (Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste), São Carlos, SP, Brasil

Abstract The aim of this study was to characterize the local fauna of Hymenoptera parasitoids associated with Lepidoptera larvae in areas of reforestation and agrosilvopastoral systems at Fazenda Canchim (Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, São Carlos, SP, Brazil). Lepidoptera larvae collected with entomological umbrella were kept in the laboratory until emergence of adults or their parasitoids. From those collected in the agrosilvopastoral system, emerged 267 specimens of hymenopteran parasitoids belonging to 16 genera: Braconidae, Agathidinae (Alabagrus), Braconinae (Bracon), Microgastrinae (Cotesia, Diolcogaster, Glyptapanteles, Pholetesor and Protapanteles), Orgilinae (Orgilus); Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae (Casinaria, Charops and Microcharops); Chalcididae, Chalcidinae (Brachymeria and Conura); Eulophidae, Entedoninae (Horismenus), Eulophinae (Elachertus and Euplectrus). From the Lepidoptera larvae collected in the reforestation, emerged 68 specimens of hymenopteran parasitoids, belonging to 8 genera: Chalcididae, Chalcidinae (Conura); Ichneumonidae, Pimplinae (Neotheronia), Campopleginae (Charops and Microcharops) and Braconidae, Microgastrinae (Apanteles, Diolcogaster, Distatrix, Glyptapanteles and Protapanteles). The results of this study suggest the occurrence of a wide variety of Hymenoptera parasitoids in the studied environments.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar a fauna local de Hymenoptera parasitoides associados a larvas de Lepidoptera em área de reflorestamento (corredor ecológico) e de sistema agrossilvipastoril na Fazenda Canchim (Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, São Carlos, SP, Brasil). Larvas de Lepidoptera coletadas com guarda-chuva entomológico foram mantidas em laboratório até a emergência dos adultos ou de seus parasitoides. Daquelas coletadas no sistema agrossilvipastoril emergiram 267 espécimes de himenópteros parasitoides, pertencentes a 16 gêneros: Braconidae, Agathidinae (Alabagrus), Braconinae (Bracon), Microgastrinae (Cotesia, Diolcogaster, Glyptapanteles, Pholetesor e Protapanteles), Orgilinae (Orgilus); Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae (Casinaria, Charops e Microcharops); Chalcididae, Chalcidinae (Brachymeria e Conura); Eulophidae, Entedoninae (Horismenus), Eulophinae (Elachertus e Euplectrus). No reflorestamento emergiram 68 espécimes de himenópteros parasitoides, pertencentes a 8 gêneros: Chalcididae, Chalcidinae (Conura); Ichneumonidae; Pimplinae (Neotheronia), Campopleginae (Charops e Microcharops); Braconidae, Microgastrinae (Apanteles, Diolcogaster, Glyptapanteles e Protapanteles). Os resultados obtidos sugerem que os ambientes estudados abrigam grande diversidade de Hymenoptera parasitoides.

Redescription of Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron, 1886) (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae), parasitoid of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) in Brazil / Redescrição de Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron, 1886) (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae), parasitoide de Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) no Brasil

Abstract The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae) is a voracious pest of numerous crops of economic importance throughout the New World. In Brazil, its larvae are attacked by several species of parasitoid wasps, making them potential candidate as biological control agents against this pest. A survey of the parasitoid fauna on S. frugiperda in maize crops throughout Brazil reveals two species of Campoletis, which are morphologicaly very similar species. In this paper we combine these data with pictures from the type material of C. sonorensis and C. flavicincta, as well as their descriptions to provide a redescription to Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron, 1886) using for this both morphological characters and DNA Barcoding (Hebert et al., 2003) information, in an attempt to help with the correct identification of the taxa to improve biological control studies.

Resumo Spodoptera frugiperda é uma praga voraz de diversas culturas de importância econômica no Novo Mundo. No Brasil, suas larvas podem ser atacadas por diversas espécies de vespas parasitóides que são candidatos a agentes de controle biológico contra essa praga. Pesquisando os parasitóides da fauna de Spodoptera frugiperda em cultivos de milho no Brasil foram encontradas duas espécies do gênero Campoletis, muito similares morfologicamente. Este trabalho apresenta uma redescrição para Campoletis sonorensis usando caracteres morfológicos e DNA Barcoding (Hebert et al., 2003) com o objetivo de evitar erros de identificação desse grupo, aprimorando estudos de controle biológico.

Parasitoid Wasps in Flower Heads of Asteraceae in the Brazilian Cerrado: Taxonomical Composition and Determinants of Diversity.

This study provides the first survey of the parasitoid fauna reared in flower heads of Asteraceae in the Brazilian cerrado. We investigated the relative importance of herbivore richness and plant species commonness to differences in parasitoid species richness among the plant species. A total of 15,372 specimens from 192 morphospecies belonging to 103 genera of Hymenoptera were reared from the flower heads of 74 Asteraceae species. Chalcidoidea and Ichneumonoidea were the most common superfamilies, with Eulophidae and Braconidae as the main families of parasitoid wasps. Singletons and doubletons accounted for 45% of total parasitoid species richness. The number of parasitoid species per plant species ranged from 1 to 67, and the variation in parasitoid species richness among plants was mainly explained by the number of sites in which the plants were recorded. This study shows that there is a highly diversified fauna of Hymenoptera parasitoids associated with flower heads of Asteraceae in the Brazilian cerrado. Our findings suggest that the accumulation of parasitoid species on plants is mainly determined by the regional commonness of plant species rather than the number of herbivore species associated with the plants.

First report of Dolichozele koebelei Viereck, 1911 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in maize (Zea mays L.) under different cropping systems.

In the context of the modern agriculture, pest control is important in order to increase productivity in maize (Zea mays L.). However, this control should be done rationally, prioritising environmentally safer methods such as biological control. This paper aims to report the occurrence of Dolichozele koebelei Viereck, 1911 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae collected in maize subjected to different cropping systems. The experiment was conducted at the Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Milho e Sorgo (CNPMS) in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, using organic and conventional production. Ten plants were sampled from each of the 24 plots and for each production system, three times a week during the entire cycle of maize (variety BR 106). In the laboratory, larvae were distributed in individual rearing containers with artificial diet until the end of the biological cycle. An increased number of S. frugiperda larvae was observed in organic single crop maize; hence a higher percentage of S. frugiperda larvae parasitised by Hymenoptera and Diptera also occurred in the maize under this production system. Dolichozele koebelei had not yet been described in association with larvae of S. frugiperda. The percentage of parasitism of S. frugiperda larvae was high in both experiments, indicating the importance of natural control agents in reducing the population density of S. frugiperda, and especially the importance of an appropriate crop management.