Kairomones from Euschistus heros egg masses and their potential use for Telenomus podisi parasitism improvement.

Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is the most important egg parasitoid of Euschistus heros (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), and its successful parasitism is related to their searching ability to find suitable hosts under a complex chemical environment using host-reliable cues. Thus, the objective of this study was to elucidate chemical substances on the external layer of E. heros eggs and report its potential kairomonal activity on T. podisi. We tested female wasps in olfactometer system to synthetic compounds obtained from a chemical identification of E. heros egg masses. The synthetic blend was also evaluated in parasitism tests under laboratory and semi-field conditions. We identified 31 substances from egg surface extracts, including monoterpenes, aldehydes and alkanes. Among those compounds, a synthetic solution including camphene, ß-pinene, limonene and benzaldehyde-induced chemotaxic behaviour on the wasps and increased the parasitism on E. heros eggs, either in laboratory or semi-field test, suggesting its potential use to T. podisi manipulation and parasitism improvement.

Information from the mitochondrial genomes of two egg parasitoids, Gonatocerus sp. and Telenomus sp., reveals a controversial phylogenetic relationship between Mymaridae and Scelionidae.

The taxonomic status and phylogenetic affinities of Mymaridae and Scelionidae are controversial, based on similarities between these families in the characteristics of adults, larvae, and eggs. In this study, we sequenced the mitochondrial (mt) genomes of representatives from these two families and found that the derived secondary structure of tRNA-Arg was the same in each family due to the absence of the D-stem. The segment of "cox1 trnL2cox2 trnK trnD atp8 atp6 cox3" in Gonatocerus sp. (Mymaridae) is conserved and distinct from those of four other species of Chalcidoidea but similar to that in Proctotrupoidea and Platygastroidea. However, phylogenetic analysis indicated that Gonatocerus sp. was sister group to other species of Chalcidoidea. Comparisons based on complete gene orders may be more useful in a phylogenetic and systematic context, as different branches may exhibit partially homoplastic gene orders.

Volatiles Mediating Parasitism of Euschistus conspersus and Halyomorpha halys Eggs by Telenomus podisi and Trissolcus erugatus.

This study identified chemicals found on the eggs of two stink bug species, one native to western North America, Euschistus conspersus, and an invasive species from Asia, Halyomorpha halys. The responses of two scelionid egg parasitoids, Trissolcus erugatus and Telenomus podisi, toward natural stink bug egg volatiles, and synthetic reconstructions of egg volatiles, were tested in bioassays. A compound, methyl (2E,4Z)-2,4-decadienoate, previously identified as the major component of the male-produced aggregation pheromone of E. conspersus, was the major volatile identified from extracts of E. conspersus eggs. In contrast, for H. halys, the sesquiterpenoids that compose the male-produced aggregation pheromone of this species were not detected on eggs, whereas the presence of hexadecanal, octadecanal, and eicosanal was detected. In laboratory olfactometer tests, both Tr. erugatus and Te. podisi females were attracted to extracts of E. conspersus eggs, and to synthetic methyl (2E,4Z)-2,4-decadienoate. However, female Tr. erugatus and Te. podisi wasps were repelled, both by extracts of H. halys eggs and by a blend of the aldehydes identified from H. halys eggs. A follow-up field study, using hexane-washed and intact E. conspersus as sentinel eggs, showed that the parasitoids Trissolcus erugatus and Gryon obesum emerged from these eggs. Sentinel hexane-washed eggs treated with 3 ng of methyl (2E,4Z)-2,4-decadienoate were parasitized more by these two species than were hexane-washed or unwashed eggs, whereas hexane-washed eggs treated with a comparable dose of the C16,18,20 aldehyde mixture were avoided by these parasitoids. In a further field experiment, Trissolcus basalis was the primary parasitoid found in sticky traps baited with methyl (2E,4Z)-2,4-decadienoate, indicating that this species was attracted to, but either did not oviposit or develop in the E. conspersus sentinel eggs in the previous experiment.

Eriogynapyretorum (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae) parasitoid species investigated in Fujian, China.

Eriogynapyretorum Westwood is a notorious defoliator of Camphoraofficinarum Nees that causes large economic and ecological losses in planted forests. To understand the importance of suppressing the population of E.pyretorum on natural parasitoids, a four-years investigation was conducted in the field. Four egg parasitoid species Ooencyrtuskuvanae Howard, Trichogrammachionis Ishii, Telenomus sp. and Anastatusdexingensis Sheng & Wang were captured in the wild. One of these is the dominant endoparasitoid species T.chionis, which has a quicker developmental time (8.33 d), more offspring (8.39/egg) and a greater parasitism rate (89.54%). With different elevation distributions, the parasitism rates for Kriechbaumerellalongiscutellaris Qian & He, Gregopimplahimalayensis (Cameron), Theroniadepressa (Gupta) and Xanthopimplakonowi (Krieger) were 17.29%, 2.10%, 4.23% and 0.83%, respectively. Female longevity (47.75 d), offspring (13.36/pupa) and sex ratio (1.16:1) were compared in four pupal parasitoids and K.longiscutellaris was the most abundant species of E.pyretorum in Fujian Province.

Efficacy of Kairomone Lures to Attract Parasitoids of Halyomorpha halys.

In its native range, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) is suppressed by parasitoids in the genus Trissolcus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). Trissolcus native to Utah have demonstrated low parasitism of H. halys, while adventive Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) have shown parasitism of up to 20%. Custom rubber septa lures containing stink bug kairomones, n-tridecane (attractant), and (E)-2-decenal (repellent), at 100%, 90%, and 80% levels of attractant (10 mg load rate), were placed adjacent to sentinel H. halys egg masses in northern Utah field trials. Egg masses were evaluated for the presence and intensity (proportion of parasitized eggs) of parasitism. Parasitism by T. japonicus and T. euschisti (Ashmead) was low; however, the 100% lure showed double the parasitism of the control and more than three times that of the 90% and 80%. Two-way choice mesocosm trials in the laboratory evaluated previous lures and a lower load rate of 5 mg-100% attractant treatment. Lures of 10 mg at 100% and 80% were more attractive to T. japonicus than the control, while 5 mg at 100% and 10 mg at 90% showed no significant attraction. Our results support a proof-of-concept of rubber septa as release devices for kairomones to attract T. japonicus and provide a baseline for future field-based studies.

Survey for Adventive Populations of the Samurai Wasp, Trissolcus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) in Pennsylvania at Commercial Fruit Orchards and the Surrounding Forest.

The samurai wasp, Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), is an egg parasitoid associated with the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Trissolcus japonicus is a candidate for classical biological control of H. halys populations. Since 2014, adventive populations of T. japonicus have been detected in 14 US states, in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Ontario, and in two European countries, Switzerland and Italy. Establishing baseline information about populations of T. japonicus is important, as this species is not host specific to H. halys and the potential ecological effects of the accidental introductions are not fully known. In this study, yellow sticky cards were deployed at commercial fruit orchards in nine counties in Pennsylvania separated by more than 400 km. Trissolcus japonicus was detected on cards in eight counties, and in two habitats, in the orchard and at the forest border. Other native species of Scelionidae known to attack the eggs of H. halys were also identified, including Trissolcus euschisti (Ashmead), Trissolcus brochymenae (Ashmead), and Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). These results are important baseline ecological knowledge for both T. japonicus, which appears to be established in orchards throughout Pennsylvania, and other native Scelionidae.

Preempting the Arrival of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys: Biological Control Options for Australia.

The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorphahalys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is native to Northeast Asia, but has become a serious invasive species in North America and Europe, causing major damage to crops. While it has not established itself in Australia, it has been intercepted at the border several times, indicating that future incursions and establishment are a case of when, not if. Biological control is one of the few control options for this species and will be important for managing H.halys should it become established in Australia. Prioritizing species that could be used as biological control agents would ensure Australia is prepared. This study summarizes the literature on natural enemies of H. halys in its native and invaded ranges and prioritizes potential biological control agents of H.halys that could be used in Australia. Two egg parasitoid species were identified: Trissolcusjaponicus (Ashmead) and Trissolcusmitsukurii (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). Future efforts to develop biological control should focus on T. mitsukurii, as it is already present in Australia. However, little is known about this species and further work is required to: (1) assess its potential effectiveness in parasitizing H. halys, (2) determine its current distribution and (3) host range in Australia.

Trissolcus kozlovi in North Italy: Host Specificity and Augmentative Releases against Halyomorpha halys in Hazelnut Orchards.

Trissolcus kozlovi (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) emerged from field-laid eggs of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in North Italy, and it emerged in significantly higher numbers from fresh H. halys eggs compared to other native scelionids. Since few data on T. kozlovi are available, its host-specificity and some biological traits were investigated in laboratory tests, and its impact after augmentative releases was evaluated in two hazelnut orchards. Among the 12 tested bug species (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae, Scutelleridae), only Nezara viridula was an unsuitable host, while the highest offspring proportions were obtained from Arma custos, Pentatoma rufipes, and Peribalus strictus, followed by Acrosternum heegeri and Palomena prasina. Furthermore, when reared on P. strictus, T. kozlovi showed a high longevity as well as a high adaptation to H. halys eggs. In both hazelnut orchards, T. kozlovi emerged from H. halys eggs after field releases, but it was not found in the next two years. The physiological host range of T. kozlovi was quite similar to that of T. japonicus, and probably T. kozlovi has just begun to attack H. halys as a new host. This aspect needs to be further investigated, as well as its favorable environmental conditions, its distribution and also its possible interaction with T. japonicus, currently present in Italy.

Reproductive and Developmental Biology of Acroclisoides sinicus, a Hyperparasitoid of Scelionid Parasitoids.

Acroclisoides sinicus (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) was described in 1988 from China, but recent findings in Europe and North America within the framework of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) biological control indicate a Holarctic distribution. The few records and fragmented information on A. sinicus are derived from generic observations of other species belonging to the same genus, and its biological and ethological traits are still completely unexplored. It was suspected to be a facultative or obligate hyperparasitoid of many egg parasitoid species (e.g., Scelionidae and Eupelmidae), especially those parasitizing Pentatomidae eggs. Laboratory colonies of A. sinicus were established from specimens collected in the field in Europe and the USA, which allowed us to investigate for the first time the life traits of this somewhat enigmatic species. Our studies confirmed the obligate hyperparasitoid hypothesis for species of Scelionidae but not of Eupelmidae. Laboratory studies revealed that A. sinicus is extremely selective in its host recognition as only the pupal stage of its host species is exploited for parasitization. Taking into consideration its hyperparasitoid habit, the adventive A. sinicus populations in Europe and North America may potentially be severe threats to pentatomid natural control as new components in the trophic chain of pentatomids and their parasitoid guilds.

An Insight into the Role of Trissolcus mitsukurii as Biological Control Agent of Halyomorpha halys in Northeastern Italy.

Sustainable strategies such as classical or augmentative biological control are currently being evaluated for the long-term management of the alien invasive pest Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). A three-year study carried out in northeastern Italy was performed to investigate the distribution and field performance of the H. halys egg parasitoid Trissolcus mitsukurii (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), in comparison with other parasitoid species. In the study area, adventive populations of T. mitsukurii were present since 2016, representing the earliest detection of this species in Europe. Trissolcus mitsukurii was the most abundant parasitoid and showed a higher "parasitoid impact" (i.e., number of parasitized eggs over the total number of field-collected eggs) compared to the other species, i.e., Anastatus bifasciatus (Geoffroy) (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) and Trissolcus kozlovi Rjachovskij (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). The hyperparasitoid Acroclisoides sinicus (Huang and Liao) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) was also recorded. Phylogenetic analysis of T. mitsukurii population distinguished two clades, one covering samples from Italy, Japan and China, the other from South Korea. The present study provides promising results for the biological control of a pest that is having a dramatic impact on a wide range of crops worldwide.

Review: classical biological control of invasive stink bugs with egg parasitoids - what does success look like?

Although the enemy release hypothesis forms the theoretical basis for classical (=importation) biological control of invasive pests, its core assumptions are not always examined. This could contribute to unrealistic expectations for some biological control programs. In this paper we examine the assumptions that: (i) enemy release has contributed to the invasive nature of four exotic pentatomids in North America; and (ii) classical biological control with egg parasitoids has been or will be successful in reducing populations of these pests below economically significant levels. First, we review the history of biological control programs against invasive stink bugs to highlight the variable and controversial levels of success of introducing egg parasitoids against stink bugs. Then, we use simple stage-structured matrix models to demonstrate that it may be easy to overestimate the contribution of egg parasitism alone to a reduction in stink bug population growth. Finally, we discuss what realistic expectations might be for success of biological control against invasive stink bugs using egg parasitoids in the context of integrated pest management programs. © 2020 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada Pest Management Science © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Is It Possible to Manipulate Scelionidae Wasps' Preference to a Target Host?

Parasitoid host selection is mainly mediated by chemical cues, which can be adjusted by experience, changing their innate behavior. Therefore, this study evaluated if immature experience (pre-imaginal conditioning) on eggs and volatiles from different host eggs has influence on parasitism and chemotaxic behavior of Telenomus podisi Ashmead and/or Trissolcus basalis Wollaston (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). Both wasp species were submitted to a multiple-choice parasitism test among Euschistus heros (Fabricius), Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood), and Nezara viridula L. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) egg masses. Eggs from these three stink bugs were equally offered to female parasitoids. After that, adults which emerged from each host were also exposed to parasitism in a multiple-choice test for up to an additional generation. Moreover, in olfactometer "Y," the behavior of innate and experienced T. podisi females to volatiles from hosts' egg extracts was tested, to study their learning and memory ability. The original host had influence on T. podisi parasitism; however, T. basalis always parasitized more N. viridula eggs independently of its last rearing host. Innate T. podisi females responded positively to E. heros and P. guildinii egg volatiles, but this behavior was not observed in N. viridula. When T. podisi females were experienced on egg volatiles from a new host, they showed significant learning and memory ability for the specific host volatile for, at least, 24 h. Experienced wasps responded positively to N. viridula and through this result we have evidences about the possibility to manipulate wasp's preferences to a specific target host.

First record of Mantibaria Kirby, 1900 (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae, Scelioninae) in the New World: a probable case of accidental introduction.

Mantibaria Kirby, 1900 has four valid species: M. seefelderiana (De Stefani), M. mantis (Dodd), M. solygiea Risbec and M. kerouaci Veenakumari & Rajmohana. It is found in the Palaearctic, Afro-tropical, Oriental and Australian regions, and now is known from the New World. There are some taxonomic barriers that hinder the understanding and the boundaries between the four species, some of which were discussed by Masner (1976), Mineo (1980) and Galloway & Austin (1984). These authors argued that there are no reliable differences to separate M. solygiea (Europe), M. seefelderiana (= M. anomala, Africa) and M. mantis (Australia), hypothesizing that these three species actually comprise only one species that is widely distributed in the Old World.

Two new species of Apteroscelio Kieffer (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) from India.

Two new species of Apteroscelio Kieffer, a previously monotypic genus, are here described, illustrated and keyed. Affinities between Apteroscelio and other scelionine genera are discussed. The male of this genus is imaged and described for the first time.

Systematics of the parasitic wasp genus Oxyscelio Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae s.l.), part III: African fauna.

African species of Oxyscelio (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae s.l.) are revised. A total of 14 species are recognized, 13 of which are described as new: Oxyscelio absentiae Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio galeri Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio gyri Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio idoli Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio intensionis Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio io Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio kylix Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio lunae Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio nemesis Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio pulveris Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio quassus Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio teli Burks, sp. n. and Oxyscelio xenii Burks, sp. n. The genus Freniger Szabó, syn. n. is recognized as part of an endemic African species group of Oxyscelio with incomplete hind wing venation, and Oxyscelio bicolor (Szabó), comb. n. is therefore recognized as the only previously described species of Oxyscelio from Africa. The Oxyscelio crateris and Oxyscelio cuculli species groups, previously known from southeast Asia, are represented in Africa by seven and one species respectively.

Checklist of British and Irish Hymenoptera - Platygastroidea.

BACKGROUND: A revised checklist of the British and Irish Platygastroidea (Platygastridae) substantially updates the previous comprehensive checklist, dating from 1978. Distribution data (i.e. occurrence in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Isle of Man) is reported where known. NEW INFORMATION: A total of 381 British and Irish Platygastroidea represents a 47% increase on the number of British and Irish species reported in 1978.

Systematics of the parasitic wasp genus Oxyscelio Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae s.l.), part II: the Australian and southwest Pacific fauna.

The Australasian and southwest Pacific species of Oxyscelio (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae s.l.) are revised. A total of 80 species are recognized as valid, 13 of which are redescribed: O. atricoxa (Dodd), O. concoloripes (Dodd), O. flavipes (Kieffer), O. grandis (Dodd), O. hyalinipennis (Dodd), O. magniclava (Dodd), O. mirellus (Dodd), O. montanus (Dodd), O. nigriclava (Dodd), O. nigricoxa (Dodd), O. rugulosus (Dodd), O. shakespearei (Girault), and O. solitarius (Dodd). Oxyscelio glabriscutellum (Dodd) syn. n. is placed as a subjective junior synonym of O. rugulosus. Sixty-seven new species are described, many representing new distributional records for the genus - O. aciculae Burks, sp. n., O. anfractus Burks, sp. n., O. bellariorum Burks, sp. n., O. bicoloripedis Burks, sp. n., O. brevitas Burks, sp. n., O. catenae Burks, sp. n., O. caudarum Burks, sp. n., O. circulorum Burks, sp. n., O. clivi Burks, sp. n., O. clupei Burks, sp. n., O. conjuncti Burks, sp. n., O. contusionis Burks, sp. n., O. corrugationis Burks, sp. n., O. croci Burks, sp. n., O. cuspidis Burks, sp. n., O. densitatis Burks, sp. n., O. dissimulationis Burks, sp. n., O. divisionis Burks, sp. n., O. exiguitatis Burks, sp. n., O. fluctuum Burks, sp. n., O. foliorum Burks, sp. n., O. funis Burks, sp. n., O. gressus Burks, sp. n., O. hamorum Burks, sp. n., O. incisurae Burks, sp. n., O. lenitatis Burks, sp. n., O. leviventris Burks, sp. n., O. limbi Burks, sp. n., O. liminis Burks, sp. n., O. linguae Burks, sp. n., O. lintris Burks, sp. n., O. livens Burks, sp. n., O. mystacis Burks, sp. n., O. nasi Burks, sp. n., O. nitoris Burks, sp. n., O. obliquiatis Burks, sp. n., O. oblongiclypei Burks, sp. n., O. obturationis Burks, sp. n., O. oculi Burks, sp. n., O. palati Burks, sp. n., O. pectinis Burks, sp. n., O. pollicis Burks, sp. n., O. proceritatis Burks, sp. n., O. productionis Burks, sp. n., O. radii Burks, sp. n., O. rami Burks, sp. n., O. rupturae Burks, sp. n., O. sarcinae Burks, sp. n., O. scismatis Burks, sp. n., O. sciuri Burks, sp. n., O. scutorum Burks, sp. n., O. sepisessor Burks, sp. n., O. sinuationis Burks, sp. n., O. sordes Burks, sp. n., O. spatula Burks, sp. n., O. stipulae Burks, sp. n., O. stringerae Burks, sp. n., O. tenuitatis Burks, sp. n., O. truncationis Burks, sp. n., O. tubi Burks, sp. n., O. umbonis Burks, sp. n., O. uncinorum Burks, sp. n., O. valdecatenae Burks, sp. n., O. velamenti Burks, sp. n., O. verrucae Burks, sp. n., O. viator Burks, sp. n., and O. wa Burks, sp. n. The fauna is divided into nine diagnostic species groups, with five species unplaced to group.

Systematics of the parasitic wasp genus Oxyscelio Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae s.l.), Part I: Indo-Malayan and Palearctic fauna.

The Indo-Malayan and Palearctic species of Oxyscelio (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae s.l.) are revised. A total of 90 species are recognized as valid, 19 of which are redescribed - Oxyscelio acutiventris (Kieffer), Oxyscelio brevinervis (Kieffer), Oxyscelio carinatus (Kieffer), Oxyscelio ceylonensis (Dodd), Oxyscelio consobrinus (Kieffer), Oxyscelio crassicornis (Kieffer), Oxyscelio cupularis (Kieffer), Oxyscelio dorsalis (Kieffer), Oxyscelio excavatus (Kieffer), Oxyscelio flavipennis (Kieffer), Oxyscelio florus Kononova, Oxyscelio foveatus Kieffer, Oxyscelio kiefferi Dodd, Oxyscelio magnus (Kieffer), Oxyscelio marginalis (Kieffer), Oxyscelio naraws Kozlov & Lê, Oxyscelio perpensus Kononova, Oxyscelio rugosus (Kieffer) and Oxyscelio spinosiceps (Kieffer), and 71 which are described as new - Oxyscelio aclavae Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio amrichae Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio anguli Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio angustifrons Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio angustinubbin Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio arcus Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio arvi Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio asperi Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio aureamediocritas Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio bipunctuum Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio brevidentis Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio caesitas Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio capilli Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio capitis Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio cavinetrion Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio chimaerae Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio codae Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio convergens Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio cordis Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio crateris Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio crebritas Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio crustum Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio cuculli Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio cyrtomesos Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio dasymesos Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio dasynoton Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio dermatoglyphes Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio doumao Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio fistulae Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio flabellae Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio flaviventris Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio fodiens Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio fossarum Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio fossularum Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio genae Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio granorum Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio granuli Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio greenacus Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio halmaherae Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio intermedietas Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio jaune Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio jugi Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio kramatos Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio labis Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio lacunae Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio latinubbin Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio latitudinis Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio limae Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio longiventris Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio mesiodentis Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio mollitia Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio nasolabii Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio nodorum Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio noduli Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio nubbin Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio obsidiani Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio ogive Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio operimenti Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio peludo Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio planocarinae Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio praecipitis Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio reflectens Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio regionis Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio sinuum Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio spinae Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio striarum Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio tecti Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio unguis Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio vadorum Burks, sp. n., Oxyscelio vittae Burks, sp. n. and Oxyscelio zeuctomesos. Neotypes are designated for nine species, including the type species O. foveatus Kieffer, Oxyscelio brevinervis (Kieffer), Oxyscelio bifurcatus (Kieffer), Oxyscelio frontalis (Kieffer), Oxyscelio crassicornis (Kieffer), Oxyscelio cupularis (Kieffer), Oxyscelio foveatus Kieffer, Oxyscelio kiefferi Dodd, Oxyscelio magnus (Kieffer) and Oxyscelio marginalis (Kieffer). Oxyscelio bifurcatus (Kieffer) syn. n. and Oxyscelio frontalis (Kieffer) syn. n. are synonymized under Oxyscelio consobrinus (Kieffer). The fauna is divided into 13 species groups, with six species unplaced to a group. A phylogenetic analysis employing 73 morphological characters did not find most of these groups to be monophyletic, but they are retained to aid in specimen identification. Potential biogeographical patterns are discussed, including regional variation in surface sculpture and a morphological link between Sri Lankan and Australian species.

Taxonomic revision of Bracalba Dodd (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae s.l.), a parasitoid wasp genus endemic to Australia.

The endemic Australian parasitic wasp genus Bracalba (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) is revised. Sixteen species are recognized: Bracalba cuneata Dodd, Bracalba laminata Dodd and Bracalba nigrescens (Dodd) are redescribed and thirteen new species are recognized; Bracalba clavata Burks, sp. n., Bracalba globosa Burks, sp. n., Bracalba hesperia Burks, sp. n., Bracalba intermedia Burks, sp. n., Bracalba magnirubra Burks, sp. n., Bracalba parvirubra Burks, sp. n., Bracalba pinnula Burks, sp. n., Bracalba plana Burks, sp. n., Bracalba propodealis Burks, sp. n., Bracalba sculptifrons Burks, sp. n., Bracalba sparsa Burks, sp. n., Bracalba tricorata Burks, sp. n., and Bracalba tridentata Burks, sp. n. The genus is found continent-wide but mostly south of the Tropic of Capricorn, and with the highest species diversity occurring in the Pilbara and south-western regions of Western Australia. The hosts of Bracalba are unknown but specimens reared from eggs confirm that the genus is associated with orthopteran hosts. A preliminary phylogeny of species did not indicate that species groups were monophyletic, but they are retained despite paraphyly because they are convenient for specimen identification.

Interaction between Telenomus remus and Trichogramma pretiosum in the management of Spodoptera spp.

Interaction betweeen Telenomus remus and Trichogramma pretiosum in the management of Spodoptera spp. The use of egg parasitoids is a promising strategy for Integrated Pest Management (IPM), but different species of parasitoids have greater or lesser control efficiency, depending on the pest species. Recently, not only Anticarsia gemmatalis and Pseudoplusia includens but also Spodoptera cosmioides and S. eridania have been among the key Lepidoptera larvae attacking soybeans. This study evaluated the combination of Telenomus remus and Trichogramma pretiosum for parasitism of eggs of the Spodoptera complex, for better control efficiency and broader spectrum of action among the key pests of soybeans. The experiment was carried out under controlled environmental conditions (25 ± 2ºC; 70 ± 10 percent RH; and 14 h photophase) in a completely randomized experimental design with seven treatments and 10 replicates with S. frugiperda, S. cosmioides and S. eridania eggs. Each replicate consisted of one egg mass of each Spodoptera species, with approximately 100 eggs offered to the parasitoids. The treatments were: 1) 10 females of T. pretiosum; 2) nine females of T. pretiosum and one female of T. remus; 3) eight females of T. pretiosum and two females of T. remus; 4) seven females of T. pretiosum and three females of T. remus; 5) six females of T. pretiosum and four females of T. remus; 6) five females of T. pretiosum and five females of T. remus, and 7) 10 females of T. remus. The parameter evaluated was the percentage of parasitized eggs. Results showed that treatments combining both parasitoid species with only 1 T. remus for each 9 T. pretiosum (10 percent) and only 2 T. remus for each 8 T. pretiosum (20 percent) were enough to significantly increase the parasitism observed on eggs of S. cosmioides and S. frugiperda, respectively. This association of T. pretiosum and T. remus in different proportions is very promising for biological control in IPM programs because it provides wide spectrum of control.

Interação de Telenomus remus e Trichogramma pretiosum no manejo de Spodoptera spp. O uso de parasitóides de ovos é uma estratégia promissora dentro do manejo integrado de pragas (MIP), mas diferentes espécies de parasitóides têm maior ou menor eficiência dependendo da espécie praga. Recentemente, não apenas Anticarsia gemmatalis e Pseudoplusia includens, mas também Spodoptera cosmioides e S. eridania estão entre as principais larvas de Lepidoptera que estão atacando a cultura da soja. Assim, este trabalho avaliou a possibilidade do uso associado de Telenomus remus e Trichogramma pretiosum no controle de ovos do complexo Spodoptera, objetivando uma maior eficiência de parasitismo com um maior espectro de ação entre as pragas-chave desta cultura. O experimento foi conduzido em condições controladas (25 ± 2ºC; 70 ± 10 por cento e fotofase de 14 h) no delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 7 tratamentos e 10 repetições e ovos de S. frugiperda, S. cosmioides e S. eridania. Para cada repetição foi oferecida aos parasitóides uma postura de cada uma das espécies de Spodoptera, com aproximadamente 100 ovos. As diferentes proporções dos parasitóides (tratamentos) avaliadas foram: 1) dez fêmeas de T. pretiosum 2) nove fêmeas de T. pretiosum e uma fêmea de T. remus 3) oito fêmeas de T. pretiosum e duas fêmeas de T. remus 4) sete fêmeas de T. pretiosum e três fêmeas de T. remus 5) seis fêmeas de T. pretiosum e quatro fêmeas de T. remus 6) cinco fêmeas de T. pretiosum e cinco fêmeas de T. remus 7) dez fêmeas de T. remus. O parâmetro avaliado foi à porcentagem de ovos parasitados. Os resultados mostraram que tratamentos combinando ambas as espécies de parasitóides com apenas 1 T. remus para cada 9 T. pretiosum (10 por cento) e apenas 2 T. remus para cada 8 T. pretiosum (20 por cento) foram suficientes para aumentar significativamente o parasitismo observado em ovos de S. cosmioides e S. frugiperda, respectivamente. Esta associação de T. pretiosum e T. remus em diferentes proporções é bastante promissora para utilização em programas de controle biológico dentro do MIP visto que poderá fornecer um bom espectro de controle.