Gennaro Viggiani

Description of Synergus castaneus n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Synergini) Associated with an Unknown Gall on Castanea spp. (Fagaceae) in China

ABSTRACT A species of the tribe Synergini (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) was reared from a gall collected in China on Castanea mollissima Blume and Castanea seguinii Dode. The morphological features of this gall wasp indicate that it is an undescribed species belonging to the genus Synergus and is herein described as a new species, Synergus castaneus Pujade-Villar, Bernardo et Viggiani sp. nov. (Hymenoptera Cynipidae: Synergini). This is the first known instance of a species of Synergus emerging from Castanea galls (Fagaceae). Data on the diagnosis, distribution, and biology of the new species are given. Morphological features of this species are discussed and illustrated. No other known gall-inducing species emerged from the collected galls, whereas tens of specimens of parasitoids and adults of the inquiline micromoth Andrioplecta pulverula Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) did. 28S-D2 and COI sequences confirmed that S. castaneus is a distinct species belonging to the genus Synergus.

Description and biological traits of a new species of Paracentrobia (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), an egg parasitoid of the sharpshooter Tapajosa rubromarginata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Argentina.

During a survey of egg parasitoids of sharpshooters (Cicadellidae: Cicadellini and Proconiini), an undescribed species of Paracentrobia Howard was detected. It is here described and illustrated, and laboratory data on its life cycle are reported. Paracentrobia tapajosae sp. n. is a primary parasitoid of Agalliana ensigera Oman and Tapajosa rubromarginata (Signoret). Sixty‐seven percent of the exposed host eggs were parasitized by P. tapajosae sp. n., and eggs with well‐developed sharpshooter embryos were successfully attacked. The developmental cycle from egg to adult was 21.3±2.3 days. Adult longevity was 6.8±4.5 days, with females living longer than males. The sex ratio, considering only mated females, was 1:2.2 (males/females). Under laboratory conditions, P. tapajosae is a facultatively gregarious parasitoid. Laboratory data suggest a likely potential of this species as a biological control agent. Durante la búsqueda de parasitoides de huevos de chicharritas (Cicadellidae: Cicadellini y Proconiini), se obtuvo una especie no descrita de Paracentrobia Howard, la cual se describe e ilustra en esta contribución aportando además datos sobre su ciclo de vida. Paracentrobia tapajosae sp. n. es un parasitoide primario de huevos de Agalliana ensigera Oman y Tapajosa rubromarginata (Signoret). La tasa de parasitoidismo obtenida en laboratorio fue del 67% de los huevos expuestos, y huevos en avanzado estado de desarrollo también fueron exitosamente atacados. El tiempo medio de desarrollo fue de 21,3±2,3 días. La longevidad de los adultos fue de 6,8±4,5 días, y las hembras vivieron más que los machos. La proporción de sexos, considerando solo hembras fecundadas, fue 1:2.2 (machos/hembras). En condiciones de laboratorio, P. tapajosae se comportó como facultativamente gregario. Los datos de laboratorio sugieren que esta especie tiene un buen potencial como agente de control biológico.

First record of a walnut shield bearer Coptodisca (Lepidoptera: Heliozelidae) in Europe

A leafminer of the Nearctic genus Coptodisca Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Heliozelidae), a species of potential economic interest, is reported for the first time from Europe, infesting the black (Juglans nigra L.) and the common walnut (Juglans regia L.). Mines were collected since September of 2010 in several sites of two Italian regions (Campania and Lazio). The species is rather similar to Coptodisca juglandella (Chambers), the only Coptodisca known to attack walnuts, but at present, an unambiguous identification cannot be provided because of the unsatisfactory characterization of this leafminer and congeneric species. Three generations were recorded per year and leafminers overwinter as mature larvae. The first adults emerged in May–June while mature larvae of the last generation started the overwintering in September. During the last generation of the year, infestation levels of leaves were 100% in all sampled localities. Several species of parasitoids were reared from infested mines, with specimens belonging to the genus Chrysocharis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) being the most frequent parasitoids.

On the misidentification of Anagrus ustulatus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae).

The cosmopolitan genus Anagrus Haliday is one of the largest in Mymaridae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), and includes very common egg parasitoids, mostly of leafhoppers. The smallest species (body length: 0.4-0.6 mm) are found in the atomus species group. This group at present includes about 20 species worldwide. Anagrus atomus (Linnaeus) is among the most common species in the Palaearctic region. Other populations very similar in morphology and biology to this species are also widespread and associated with several leafhoppers infesting wild and cultivated plants (Matteucig & Viggiani 2008). Some specimens of these populations were identified as A. ustulatus Haliday by Chiappini (1989), who presumably followed Graham (1982).

A new species of Soikiella Nowicki (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) from Italy

A new species of Soikiella Nowicki (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) that emerged mostly from galls induced by Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) on chestnut is described from Italy. The characterization of the new taxon, Soikiella italica Viggiani sp. n., was performed through a morpho-molecular approach. A key to the species of Soikiella is given. Emerging from the same samples were a few females of an unidentified species of Trichogramma Westwood that likely emerged from eggs of Lepidoptera associated with the galls. The true host of S. italica is also indicated to be the eggs of some insect other than D. kuriphilus that uses their galls as oviposition sites.

An integrative approach to species discrimination in the Anagrus atomus group sensu stricto (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), with a description of a new species

Egg parasitoids of the genus Anagrus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) are natural enemies of many pests around the world. We used an integrative approach to characterize some species belonging to the Anagrus atomus group, using specimens reared from leafhoppers infesting some Lamiaceae. Starting from morphological identifications based on available keys, we carried out a multi-locus genetic characterization using phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses, and integrated it with biological and morphometric evidence. This approach revealed the existence of a new species, A. nepetellae sp. nov., here described along with its phenological traits. The approach also allowed us to characterize the expected taxonomic stability of other putative species within the group. We propose two new species groups called the atomus group sensu stricto and the vilis group, with the goal of streamlining the taxonomy of the atomus group. We also present a key for the identification of females of the European species of the atomus group sensu stricto. Some specimens show heterozygosity in 28S-D2 sequences, suggesting hybridization between A. atomus and A. nepetellae, which, if it is common between other species as well, could partly explain the taxonomic problems in the genus Anagrus. DNA sequencing of specimens reared by the same biofactory at different times suggests involuntary contamination leading to the displacement of a laboratory strain of A. atomus by A. nepetellae, which may have resulted from undetected partial reproductive compatibility.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DFCD7654-5AA5-4E4F-AE48-24377BAACEFE

A New Gall Midge Species of Asphondylia (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Inducing Flower Galls on Clinopodium nepeta (Lamiaceae) from Europe, Its Phenology, and Associated Fungi

Abstract A new gall midge, Asphondylia nepetae sp. n. Viggiani (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), causing flower gall on Clinopodium nepeta (L.) Kuntze (Lamiaceae), is described from Europe. The morphological characteristics of adult, larvae, and pupa are described and illustrated. Molecular approach (by sequencing 28S-D2, ITS2, and COI) confirmed that A. nepetae is a distinct species. The development of the gall is always associated with the presence of the fungus Botryosphaeria dothidea (Moug.: Fr.) Ces. and De Not. (Botryosphaeriales: Botryosphaeriaceae). The new species can complete several generations per year, on the flowers of the same host plant and its adults emerge from late spring to autumn. Pupae overwinter inside peculiar flower galls in a state of quiescence. The impact of the pest is highly variable with a percentage of flowers infested that ranged between 3 and 57.5% in the sampled years. Insect mortality was, at least in part, due to parasitoids that attack the young stages of the midge. Among them, the dominant species was Sigmophora brevicornis (Panzer) (Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae).

A new species of Poropoea Foerster from Africa (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Trichogrammatidae)

Abstract A new species of Poropoea Foerster (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Trichogrammatidae) was obtained from eggs of attelabid beetles (Coleoptera: Attelabidae) associated with Combretum sp. (Myrtales, Combretaceae). This species is described from Ogooué-Ivindo province in north-eastern Gabon. The new species is easily distinguished from the known members of the genus Poropoea by the following combination of characters: female antennal club unsegmented, premarginal vein of the fore wing with a nodular premarginal vein and the stigma of the stigmal vein black, the wing lacks the RS1 track; front and hind legs more robust than the middle leg and with coxa and femur markedly enlarged, and ovipositor exserted to one-third of the gaster length. Morphological features of this new species are discussed and illustrated. A key to females of Poropoea species lacking the Rs1 track in the fore wing has been constructed and is presented here.

Description of a new species of Oligosita Walker (Chalcidoidea: Trichogrammatidae), egg parasitoid of Balclutha brevis Lindberg (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) living on Pennisetum setaceum, from Italy

A new species of Oligosita Walker (Chalcidoidea: Trichogrammatidae), O. balcluthae Viggiani et Laudonia n. sp., is described as a parasitoid of the eggs of Balclutha brevis Lindberg (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) associated with crimson fountain grass, Pennisetum setaceum (Poaceae) in Italy. Morphological features and biology of the new species are discussed and illustrated. The 28S-D2 and ITS2 regions were successfully amplified and sequenced.