Molecular Data Confirm Interspecific Limits of Four Alloxysta and One Phaenoglyphis Species of Parasitic Wasps within the Subfamily Charipinae (Cynipoidea: Figitidae).

The hymenopteran subfamily Charipinae (Cynipoidea: Figitidae) consist of a group of parasitic wasps that are exclusive hyperparasitoids of Hemipteran. The species boundaries in Charipinae have historically been unclear. While diagnostic morphological features have been established for the stepwise separation of species, it is recommended to confirm those limits using molecular data. Here, we focus on the genera Alloxysta Förster, 1869 and Phaenoglyphis Förster, 1869, both of which contain species that are hyperparasitoids of aphids. We sequenced three genes (mitochondrial COI and 16S rDNA, and nuclear ITS2 rDNA) from specimens that were identified as belonging to five species: Alloxysta brevis (Thomson, 1862), A. castanea (Hartig, 1841), A. ramulifera (Thomson, 1862), A. victrix (Westwood, 1833), and Phaenoglyphis villosa (Hartig, 1841). The phylogeny resulting from concatenating these genes supported the species status of the five morphologically identified taxa, with P. villosa nested within Alloxysta. Our study thus indicates that these molecular markers can successfully distinguish charipine species, and also indicates that the genera Alloxysta and Phaenoglyphis may be more closely related than previously hypothesized. We also present the first estimates of genetic distances for these species. Future studies that include more species, loci, and/or genomic data will complement our research and help determine species relationships within the Charipinae subfamily.

Arsenophonus: A Double-Edged Sword of Aphid Defense against Parasitoids.

It is widely accepted that endosymbiont interactions with their hosts have significant effects on the fitness of both pests and beneficial species. A particular type of endosymbiosis is that of beneficial associations. Facultative endosymbiotic bacteria are associated with elements that provide aphids with protection from parasitoids. Arsenophonus (Enterobacterales: Morganellaceae) is one such endosymbiont bacterium, with infections being most commonly found among the Hemiptera species. Here, black cowpea aphids (BCAs), Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae), naturally infected with Arsenophonus, were evaluated to determine the defensive role of this bacterium in BCAs against two parasitoid wasp species, Binodoxys angelicae and Lysiphlebus fabarum (both in Braconidae: Aphidiinae). Individuals of the black cowpea aphids infected with Arsenophonus were treated with a blend of ampicillin, cefotaxime, and gentamicin (Arsenophonus-reduced infection, AR) and subsequently subjected to parasitism assays. The results showed that the presence of Arsenophonus does not prevent BCAs from being parasitized by either B. angelicae or L. fabarum. Nonetheless, in BCA colonies parasitized by B. angelicae, the endosymbiont delayed both the larval maturation period and the emergence of the adult parasitoid wasps. In brief, Arsenophonus indirectly limits the effectiveness of B. angelicae parasitism by decreasing the number of emerged adult wasps. Therefore, other members of the BCA colony can survive. Arsenophonus acts as a double-edged sword, capturing the complex dynamic between A. craccivora and its parasitoids.

Association of the opposite sexes of Dryinus niger Kieffer, with notes on males of the other Western Palaearctic species of the same genus (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae).

In Fennoscandia, only one species of Dryinus (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae) is known, D. niger Kieffer, 1904. The species is very sporadically collected in that region, and the association of its opposite sex is difficult by its rarity. The capture of a male in Norway allowed us to describe it and place it in the new key to the males of Western Palaearctic Dryinus.

A new species of the aphid genus Uroleucon Mordvilko, 1914 (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae) on Launaea acanthodes from Iran.

A new aphid species, Uroleucon (Lambersius) loxdalei sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Aphidinae: Macrosiphini) living on Launaea acanthodes (Asteraceae) and collected from the highlands in the Kerman province of Iran, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically most similar to U. (Lambersius) bielawskii (Szelegiewicz). This holocyclic aphid is monoecious, and not attended by ants. Biometric data are given and the key to the aphids associated with Launaea species is provided.

A new species of Metopolophium Mordvilko, 1914 (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Aphidinae) on Rosa beggeriana from Iran.

A new species of the genus Metopolophium Mordvilko, 1914 (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Aphidinae: Macrosiphini) is described and illustrated. Apterous and alate viviparous females, oviparous females, and apterous males of Metopolophium rogeri sp. nov. on Rosa beggeriana (Rosaceae) are collected from Kerman Province, Iran. The new species is morphologically most similar to M. alpinum Hille Ris Lambers, 1966, but is characterized by the low ratio of processus terminalis to basal segment of antennal segment VI, high ratio of siphunculus to cauda length and the presence of many more accessory setae on the ultimate rostral segment. This holocyclic aphid is monoecious and not attended by ants. The biometric data are given, and the key to the aphids associated with Rosa species in Blackman and Eastop (2021) is modified to accommodate the new species.

Revision of Embolemidae (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea) from the Middle East.

The family Embolemidae (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea) from the Middle East is taxonomically reviewed. Three species are reported, redescribed, and illustrated, Ampulicomorpha thauma Rasnitsyn Matveev from Iran, Embolemus harteni Olmi from Yemen, and E. huberi Olmi from Iran. The extremely rare genus Ampulicomorpha Ashmead is here recorded for the first time from the Middle East. Embolemus harteni is further recorded from two more governorates of Yemen. A species identification key of Embolemidae from the Middle East, distribution maps, details of the morphological characters, and extensive colour photographs of every species are also provided. A brief discussion on the species relationships and their relevant ecoregions based on the currently limited available information is offered.

Review of Syzeuctus Frster, 1869 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Banchinae) in Iran, with description of a new species.

A new ichneumonid species, Syzeuctus flavocephalus Zardouei Riedel sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Banchinae) from the Eastern high mountains of Iran (Sistan-o Baluchestan province) is described and illustrated. Together with this new species, nine previously recorded species from Iran are reviewed, and a comprehensive key of the Iranian species of Syzeuctus is provided.

Additions to the knowledge of the fauna of the tribe Cryptini Kirby, 1837 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae) of Iran.

Using Malaise traps, sweep nets and yellow pan traps during 20132015 in various localities of Iran, 18 species belonging to 11 genera in the tribe Cryptini Kirby, 1837 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae) were collected. Among them, five species including Aritranis longicauda (Kriechbaumer, 1873), Gambrus ornatus (Gravenhorst, 1829), Mesostenus dentifer (Thomson, 1896), Mesostenus kozlovi Kokujev, 1909 and Stenarella domator (Poda, 1761) are new records for the fauna of Iran. Sixty other species previously recorded from Iran are considered credible, bringing the number of known Iranian Cryptini to 65 species.

A new species of Pristomerus Curtis, 1836 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cremastinae) and key to the known species in Iran.

Pristomerus mirzakhaniae Zardouei Rakhshani sp. nov., (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cremastinae) is described based on a specimen discovered in the Eastern part of Iran. A key to the known species of the genus Pristomerus Curtis, 1836 in Iran and a distribution map of the Iranian species based on published data are provided.

Taxonomy of Iranian Gonatopodinae (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae), with description of a new species.

Gonatopodinae (Hymenoptera, Chrysidoidea, Dryinidae) of Iran, were taxonomically reviewed. A recent sampling in South-Eastern Iran has led to the identification of eight species belonging to three different genera, Echthrodelphax Perkins (one species), Gonatopus Ljungh (six species), and Haplogonatopus Perkins (one species). A new species, Gonatopus opsiicida Rakhshani Olmi sp. nov. is described and Illustrated. It was found  in association with leafhoppers on Tamarix stricta Boiss., in Hamoon international wetlands (Sistan, Iran). Two species, E. tauricus Ponomarenko and G. lunatus Klug, are recorded for the first time from Iran A description was also provided for the previously recorded species. The key for identification and distribution maps are also provided for the known species of Gonatopodinae in Iran.

Resolving the Taxonomic Status of Potential Biocontrol Agents Belonging to the Neglected Genus Lipolexis Förster (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) with Descriptions of Six New Species.

Lipolexis is a small genus in the subfamily Aphidiinae represented by one species in Europe (Lipolexis gracilis Förster) and by four in Asia (Lipolexis wuyiensis Chen, L. oregmae Gahan, L. myzakkaiae Pramanik and Raychaudhuri and L. pseudoscutellaris Pramanik and Raychaudhuri). Although L. oregmae is employed in biological control programs against pest aphids, the last morphological study on the genus was completed over 50 years ago. This study employs an integrative approach (morphology and molecular analysis (COI barcode region)), to examine Lipolexis specimens that were sampled worldwide, including specimens from BOLD database. These results establish that two currently recognized species of Lipolexis (L. gracilis, L. oregmae) are actually a species complex and also reveal phylogenetic relationships within the genus. Six new species are described and a global key for the identification of Lipolexis species is provided.

Trioxys liui Chou & Chou, 1993 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae): an invasive aphid parasitoid attacking invasive Takecallis species (Hemiptera, Aphididae) in the Iberian Peninsula.

Biological invasion of aphids and other insects has been increased due to long distance commercial transportation of plant material. The bamboo-aphid-parasitoid association is strictly specific and even though it does not develop interactions with the local environment it should be listed as part of the fauna of southwestern Europe. On-going research regarding aphids and their aphidiine parasitoids in Spain has yielded a new association of Trioxys liui Chou & Chou, 1993 with an undescribed species of Takecallis aphids on bamboo, Phyllostachys spp. Here we present the first association of T. liui with aphids of the genus Takecallis that attack bamboos. Trioxys liui is known as a parasitoid of Cranaphis formosana (Takahashi, 1924) and Phyllaphoides bambusicola Takahashi, 1921 on bamboos in China and Russia. The accidental introduction of this parasitoid species to southwestern Europe has been probably realized through transportation of contaminated bamboo plant material. In the current study, a new host association is recorded for T. liui. Its potential to invade other bamboo-associated aphids and the significance of the tritrophic bamboo-aphid-parasitoid interactions in the new environments are also discussed.

A taxonomic review of the genus Diolcogaster Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) in Iran, distribution and morphological variability.

The four species of the genus Diolcogaster Ashmead, 1900, present in Iran are reviewed. Field sampling was done during 2010 to 2016 in eastern and southeastern parts of Iran by various methods. The identity and morphological variability of D. alvearia (Fabricius), D. claritibia (Papp), D. mayae (Shestakov) and D. spreta (Marshall) were compared with other Palaearctic material. Three species, D. claritibia, D. mayae and D. alvearia, are illustrated and redescribed and the intraspecific variation of D. mayae is presented for the first time. Examination of the additional specimens revealed eleven new records: D. alvearia (Croatia), D. claritibia (Tunisia and Ukraine), D. mayae (Algeria, Israel, Russia and Yemen) and D. spreta (Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany and Spain). A key to the species found in Iran, as well as information about their distribution, are also provided.

A study of the Iranian species of Choeras Mason (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Microgastrinae), with the description of a new species.

Sampling surveys were conducted in various regions of SE to West of Iran to collect the Microgastrinae specimens during 2013-2016. Reliable diagnostic morphological characters were used for comparing and identification of variable specimens. Four species of Choeras Mason, 1981 (Braconidae: Microgastrinae) from Iran are revised; three are illustrated, of which one is described as new species from SE and W Iran: C. taftanensis Ghafouri Moghaddam van Achterberg sp. n. Occurrence of C. dorsalis in Egypt, Jordan and Malta, C. tedellae in Bulgaria and C. tiro in Israel and Spain are also first recorded.

Review of the genus Microcurgus Haupt, 1950 (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae) with description of a new species from Iran.

Three species are reviewed. A new synonymy is proposed for Microcurgus Haupt, 1950 (=Micropompilus Priesner, 1955, syn. nov.). Microcurgus iraniensis Schmid-Egger sp. nov. is described and illustrated from South-Eastern Iran. A new combination is proposed for Microcurgus braconoides (Priesner, 1955), comb. nov. (from the genus Micropompilus). A key to the species based on females is given.

Updated catalogue of Pompilidae (Hymenoptera) in Iran.

An updated list of the Pompilidae (Hymenoptera) from Iran is presented. This catalogue contains species records that were published in a 128 years period from 1888 to 2016. In all, 162 species belonging to 41 genera and three subfamilies are recorded in Iran. The available data on distribution of each species in Iran (provinces), as well as the valid names, are also provided. Most of the species were recorded from the northern provinces followed by Fars and Sistan-o Baluchestan provinces in the South Central and South eastern parts of the country.

An Upgrade Pinning Block: A Mechanical Practical Aid for Fast Labelling of the Insect Specimens.

A new mechanical innovation is described to deal with standard labelling of dried specimens on triangular cards and/or pinned specimens in personal and public collections. It works quickly, precisely, and easily and is very useful for maintaining label uniformity in collections. The tools accurately sets the position of labels in the shortest possible time. This tools has advantages including rapid processing, cost effectiveness, light weight, and high accuracy, compared to conventional methods. It is fully customisable, compact, and does not require specialist equipment to assemble. Conventional methods generally require locating holes on the pinning block surface when labelling with a resulting risk to damage of the specimens. Insects of different orders can be labelled by this simple and effective tool.

Discovery of the genus Claraeola Aczél in Iran with the description of two new species (Diptera: Pipunculidae).

The genus Claraeola Aczél is recorded from Iran for the first time. Two new species, Claraeola parnianae Motamedinia & Kehlmaier sp. nov. and Claraeola khorshidae Motamedinia & Kehlmaier sp. nov., are described and illustrated. An updated identification key to the Western Palaearctic species of the genus Claraeola is provided. Both species were characterized morphologically and by DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial COI gene.

A review of the genus Dryinus Latreille, 1804 (Hymenoptera, Chrysidoidea, Dryinidae) from Iran, with description of a new species.

Three species of the genus Dryinus Latreille, 1804 from Iran are reviewed and keyed. Dryinus tamaricicola sp. nov. is described and illustrated. Dryinus tarraconensis Marshall, 1868 is newly recorded from Iran. Key to the Palaearctic species of Dryinus group 3 are modified.