Jocelyn A. Berry

Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Euphorinae): an exotic polyphagous parasitoid in New Zealand.

Abstract New lepidopteran hosts are recorded for the accidentally introduced polyphagous parasitoid Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Euphorinae). Twenty‐one host species (7 endemic, 13 exotic, and 1 undetermined) from eight lepidopteran families are known from New Zealand. Information is presented showing the impact of M. pulchricornis on Helicoverpa armigera and its associated parasitoids. The known parasitoid webs of other host species are detailed, and common elements are identified in order to indicate existing parasitoid species that may be affected by this exotic addition to the New Zealand fauna.

Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Euphorinae), a new record for New Zealand.

Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael) (Braconidae: Euphorinae) is newly recorded from widely separated localities throughout New Zealand. A brief description is provided and host associations are discussed. Most hosts recorded from New Zealand are introduced lepidopteran pest species, but one native host from a modified habitat has been identified. It is predicted that M. pulchricornis will become a relatively common component of the parasitic hymenopteran fauna in modified habitats, and that it may move onto endemic hosts in native habitats.

Species of Pheidole Westwood (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) established in New Zealand

Abstract Three species of the genus Pheidole Westwood are known to be established in New Zealand: P. megacephala (Fab.), P. rugosula Forel, and P. vigilans (Smith). All appear to be restricted to the northernmost regions of Auckland and Northland, except P. rugosula, which is also found in the Waikato area. An illustrated key is provided to major and minor workers of these three species. The subspecies P. variabilis rugosula Forel is raised to full species status after examination of type material.

Nematus oligospilus (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) , a recently introduced sawfly defoliating willows in New Zealand

Nematus oligospilus Forster is newly recorded from New Zealand. A description of the larvae, pupae, and adults, and information on hosts and natural enemies are provided.

Confirmation of the establishment of three adventive ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in New Zealand: Cardiocondyla minutior Forel, Ponera leae Forel, Mayriella abstinens Forel

The status of three adventive exotic ant species in New Zealand is discussed. Cardiocondyla minutior Forel is recorded for the first time, and is presumed to be established. Recent collections of Ponera leae Forel and Mayriella abstinens Forel confirm the establishment of these two species. Their establishment was, previously considered doubtful. Collection details and brief descriptions are given for each species.

Parasitoids and predators of the endemic defoliator Pseudocoremia suavis (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae)

Pseudocoremia suavis is an endemic looper with a history of damaging outbreaks in exotic plantation forests in New Zealand. Little is known of the natural enemies of this pest, or what role they might play in the regulation of populations. Here we compile a list of parasitoids and predators of this species, including the results of recent collections of larval parasitoids at Eyrewell Forest, a pine plantation in North Canterbury. Thirteen primary parasitoids, two hyperparasitoids and 11 predators are recorded. The dominant parasitoid reared from larval collections made at Eyrewell Forest in this study was Aleiodes declanae. This species was also dominant during P. suavis outbreaks at Eyrewell Forest during the 1950s and 1960s, along with the pupal parasitoids Aucklandella conspirata, A. pyrastis, and Zealachertus longus. Previously unpublished information on the biology of the parasitoids and predators gathered during this study and during previous outbreaks of P. suavis is included.

Morphological and colour differences between subspecies of Sphecophaga vesparum (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Abstract Sphecophaga vesparum (Curtis), an ichneumonid parasitoid of vespid wasps, has been introduced into New Zealand for the biological control of Vespula species. S. vesparum is divided into two allopatric subspecies: S. v. vesparum (Curtis) from Europe, and S. v. burra (Cresson) from North America. S. v. vesparum has been released over most of New Zealand since 1987, and is established at two sites. S. v. burra was released in the field at one site in 1979 and failed to establish. It is now being held in quarantine pending re‐release. Establishment success and distribution patterns of the two subspecies will be studied in future, so a morphological study was carried out to determine whether they could be reliably distinguished. We examined 164 specimens of S. v. vesparum and 87 specimens of S. v. hurra, and scored 13 characters. Results showed that the two subspecies could not be reliably discriminated on any morphological characters, but that three colour characters gave >98% separation for females ...

The New Zealand species of the subfamily Metopiinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Abstract The New Zealand species of the ichneumonid subfamily Metopiinae are revised. Three new species are described, Hypsicera nelsonensis, Sciron glaber, and S. enolae. One cosmopolitan species, Hypsicera femoralis Geoffroy is recorded from New Zealand. Carria nigripes (Cameron) is synonomised with C. fortipes (Cameron). A key to species is included.

Two new Cryptoxilos species (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Euphorinae) from New Zealand and Fiji parasitising adult Scolytinae (Coleoptera).

Two new species of Cryptoxilos are described from the South Pacific region. A new species from Auckland, New Zealand, Cryptoxilos thorpei Shaw & Berry, is described and illustrated. This is the first described species of the genus Cryptoxilos from New Zealand. The species is associated with a scolytine bark beetle, Chaetoptelius mundulus (Broun) (Coleoptera : Scolytinae), on a dead Pittosporum tree. A second new species, Cryptoxilos beaveri Shaw & Berry, is described from Fiji, also a new locality record for the genus. The species is associated with cryphaline ambrosia beetles, Hypothenemus curtipennis and Hypothenemus dorsosignatus, in the tree Commersonia bartramia. The existing subgenus classification system is discussed in relation to character states expressed in these two new species. Neither new species can be easily assigned to a subgenus based on the existing system. Given serious problems in the consistent application of the previous subgenus system, we recommend that subgenera be abandoned and we treat subgenus Cryptoxiloides simply as a junior synonym of Cryptoxilos.

Hymenoptera primary types in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection

Abstract The New Zealand and Pacific Hymenoptera primary types (holotypes and syntypes; no lectotypes are designated) held by the New Zealand Arthropod Collection are listed. Valid names, original names, authorities, and references are given. Publication details from original citations are listed, as are label data from the specimen. Anomalies are noted. Appendices list holotypes which are recorded as having been deposited in the NZAC but have not been located and non-endemic holotypes held in the collection.