Bernardo F. Santos

Long-term seasonal dominance of the wasp Trihapsis polita Townes (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract Background The temporal dynamics of insect populations in tropical environments is highly complex and poorly known. Long-term seasonality studies are scarce, and particularly so for ichneumonid wasps (Hymenoptera Ichneumonidae). This study represents an effort to elucidate aspects of seasonality and forest succession in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. New information We report on the seasonal and successional dominance of the ichneumonid wasp Trihapsis polita (Cryptinae). A long-term survey of Cryptinae was carried out in a protected area of Brazilian Atlantic Forest, in primary, tall secondary and low secondary forest areas. Specimens were collected during rainy season (RS) and dry season (DS) between 2000 and 2008, with total sampling effort of 4,095 trap-days. A total of 8,385 specimens of Cryptinae were collected, of which 6,655 (79.4%) belonged to T. polita. The occurrence of T. polita species was heavily concentrated in the RS, with abundance 148× higher than during the DS. Seasonal fluctuation was also detected for Cryptinae as a whole, but was two orders of magnitude lower. Sampling efficiency also varied widely among areas, with the peak of abundance at the tall secondary forest. The dominance of T. polita in secondary vegetation might be of general interest, as this type of forest is currently on the rise, due to unprecedented levels of human pressure.

First record of egg sac predation on a wall crab spider Selenopidae (Araneae) by the wasp Camera lunavenatrix sp n. (Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae)

We report the first record of egg sac predation on the wall crab spider Selenops cocheleti by wasps of the genus Camera (Ichneumonidae: Cryptinae) with the description of a new species, as well as biological information on the wasp and the spider host. The rearing record and information presented herein are the first biological data for the genus.

Revision of Melanocryptus Cameron (Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae), with Description of Seven New Species

ABSTRACT The Neotropical genus Melanocryptus Cameron is revised, with a new defense for the genus based on an entirely new redescription. The genus is characterized mainly by the following characters: apical half of female flagellum with a ventral stripe formed by dense, short pilosity; clypeus with a central pointy tooth; areolet large, pentagonal, about as long as wide, sides converging anteriorly; and ovipositor blade shaped, about 2.0–3.0× higher than wide. Eleven valid species are recognized: M. cyaneus (Schmiedeknecht), M. niger (Szépligeti), M. violaceipennis Cameron, M. whartoni Kasparyan et Ruíz, and seven new taxa, M. aurantius, sp. nov., M. delos Aguiar, sp. nov., M. dnopheros, sp. nov., M. hadroglyptus Aguiar, sp. nov., M. rufigladius, sp. nov., M. tesselatus Aguiar, sp. nov., and M. tupan, sp. nov. The complex morphological variation of male specimens, particularly for M. hadroglyptus, was cladistically investigated in order to objectively delimit and demonstrate the range of morphological variation of the involved species. The first host record is reported for the genus, an unidentified pyralid moth (Lepidoptera), attacked by M. whartoni. The males of M. cyaneus and M. niger are reported for the first time. Photographic illustrations and distribution maps are provided for all valid species, with several new distribution records for previously known taxa. Keys for the species are presented separately for females and males.

Review of Loxopus Townes (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae), with descriptions of six new species

The taxonomic limits of Loxopus Townes are reviewed. The genus is characterized by the lateral margin of the clypeus projecting as subtriangular lobe; lateral lobes of fourth tarsomeres distinctly longer than mesal lobes; fore wing vein 3r-m absent; hind wing vein 2-1A absent or vestigial; and first metasomal tergite with a basolateral tooth. It occurs from Mexico to southern Brazil. Nine species are recognized, of which six are described as new: L. dodecius Santos et Aguiar, L. duckei Santos et Aguiar, L. exius Santos et Aguiar, L. ichilus Santos et Aguiar, L. tenuis Santos et Aguiar, and L. venezuelanus Santos et Aguiar. The type species, L. australis Townes, and L. multicolor Kasparyan et Ruíz-Cancino are redescribed, and a diagnosis is provided for L. unicolor Kasparyan et Ruíz-Cancino, not examined. All studied species are illustrated and distribution records are mapped. An identification key for the species of Loxopus is presented. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5B73E8B4-1288-4FD9-AABD-845B5085FFE3