Revision of the ocellatus species-group of the genus Plumarius Philippi 1873 (Hymenoptera, Chrysidoidea, Plumariidae), with description of three new species from Argentina.

This contribution presents the study of species-group of Plumarius Philippi 1873, as the result of a survey of the morphological variation in males. The group is characterized by the large ocelli and transverse head. It consists of the following three new species: P. culminatus Diez, Fidalgo & Roig-Alsina, sp. nov., P. ocellatus Diez, Fidalgo & Roig-Alsina, sp. nov., and P. stangei Diez, Fidalgo & Roig-Alsina, sp. nov. A characterization of the group, descriptions, and illustrations are provided.

Natural distribution of parasitoids of larvae of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, in Argentina.

To develop a better understanding of the natural distribution of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and to update the knowledge of the incidence of its complex of parasitoids. S. frugiperda, samplings in whorl-stage corn were carried out in provinces of Argentina from 1999 to 2003. S. frugiperda larvae were collected from corn in localities of the provinces of Tucumán, Salta, Jujuy, Santiago del Estero, La Rioja, Córdoba, San Luis, Chaco and Misiones. In each locality 30 corn plants were sampled and only larvae located in those plants were collected. The parasitoids that emerged from S. frugiperda larvae were identified and counted. The abundance of the parasitoids and the parasitism rate were estimated. The S. frugiperda parasitoids collected were Campoletis grioti (Blanchard) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Chelonus insularis (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Archytas marmoratus (Townsend) (Diptera Tachinidae) and/or A. incertus (Macquart), Ophion sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Euplectrus platyhypenae Howard (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), and Incamyia chilensis (Aldrich) (Diptera Tachinidae). C. grioti was the most abundant and frequent during the five-year survey. Similar diversity of parasitoids was obtained in all the provinces, with the exception of I. chilensis and E. platyhypenae that were recovered only in the province of Salta. In the Northwestern region, in Tucumán, C. grioti and species of Archytas were the most abundant and frequent parasitoids. On the contrary, in Salta and Jujuy Ch. insularis was the parasitoid most abundant and frequently recovered. The parasitism rate obtained in Tucumán, Salta and Jujuy provinces were 21.96%, 17.87% and 6.63% respectively with an average of 18.93%. These results demonstrate that hymenopteran and dipteran parasitoids of S. frugiperda occurred differentially throughout the Argentinian provinces and played an important role on the natural control of the S. frugiperda larval population.

A new species of Limaytilla Casal, 1964 (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) from Argentina, a key for the known species, and new record data for the Argentinian species.

A new species of Limaytilla from Argentina is described and illustrated based on males, L. diaguita Torréns Fidalgo sp. nov.. Diagnoses for both sexes of the genus and an illustrated key for the Argentinian species are provided as well as new record data for L. pampa Casal and L. pehuenche Casal. Habitus photographs of all Argentinian species and L. orlandoi Cambra, Quintero Pagliano from Chile, are also provided.

Two new species of Bradynobaenus Spinola, 1851 (Hymenoptera: Bradynobaenidae) in the semiarid area of Argentina.

Bradynobaenus diminutus Torréns & Fidalgo, sp. nov. and B. porteri Torréns & Fidalgo, sp. nov. (Argentina: La Rioja) are described and illustrated. A revised key of the genus is provided.

Review of the genus Eotilla Schuster, 1949 (Hymenoptera: Bradynobaenidae: Typhoctinae: Eotillini) and description of new species from Argentina.

Diagnoses for the genus Eotilla Schuster, 1949 based on males and females, new generic and specific characters, descriptions of two new Argentinian species (Eotilla schusteri Torréns, Fidalgo, Roig-Alsina & Brothers, sp. nov. and E. medanito Torréns, Fidalgo, Roig-Alsina & Brothers, sp. nov., based on both sexes), a description of the female of E. superba Brothers, 1974 and redescriptions of the males of E. mickeli Schuster, 1949 and E. superba are provided. A key to the species of Eotilla is presented.