Neveen S. Gadallah

Structure and sensory equipment of the ovipositor of Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

The microsculpture of various structures of the ovipositor of Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is described from scanning and transmission electron microscopy. These include: the ovipositor egg canal, valvillus, seal of the first valvulae, interlocking mechanism (olistheter) connecting the first and second valvulae, an olistheter-like interlocking mechanism connecting the two pieces of the first valvulae, annulation, microtrichia of the third valvulae, and the ovipositor sensory equipment. Better understanding of the microsculpture of these components may make their roles in stinging, oviposition, and the host selection process more clear.

Description of the antennal sensilla of Habrobracon Hebetor

The morphology of the antennal sensilla of both male and female Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is described using Scanning Electron Microscopy complemented with Transmission Electron Microscopy. Five types of innervated sensilla as well as uninnervated microtrichia were found. These types are: sensilla trichodea; s. chaetica; s. basiconica; s. coeloconica; and s. placodea. No differences in shape, basic structure, and types of antennal sensilla were found between males and females. The types of sensilla of both sexes of H. hebetor were compared with what has been described in other parasitic Hymenoptera, and their putative functions are discussed with reference to their morphology, distribution and ultrastructure.

An annotated catalogue of the Iranian Alysiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

In the present study, a catalogue of the Iranian Alysiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is given. It is based on a detailed study of all available published data. In total 78 species from 15 genera including Alloea Haliday, 1833 (1 species), Angelovia Zaykov, 1980 (1 species), Aphaereta Foerster, 1862 (2 species), Aspilota Foerster, 1862 (2 species), Chorebus Haliday, 1833 (42 species), Coelinidea Viereck, 1913 (2 species), Coloneura Foerster, 1862 (1 species), Dacnusa Haliday, 1833 (10 species), Dinotrema Foerster, 1862 (5 species), Idiasta Foerster, 1862 (1 species), Orthostigma Ratzeburg, 1844 (3 species), Phaenocarpa Foerster, 1862 (1 species), Protodacnusa Griffiths, 1964 (2 species), Pseudopezomachus Mantero, 1905 (2 species), and Synaldis Foerster, 1862 (3 species) are reported in this catalogue. Two species are new records for Iran: Coelinidea elegans (Curtis, 1829) and Dacnusa (Pachysema) aterrima Thomson, 1895. Also, a faunistic list with distribution data and host records is provided.

The subfamily Cheloninae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) from Egypt, with the description of two new species

Abstract A key to the chelonine species (Braconidae) (both recorded and recently collected) from Egypt is given. It includes 16 species, of which five species are new to the Egyptian fauna and two (Phanerotoma (Phanerotoma) elbaiensis sp. n. and Phanerotoma (Bracotritoma) ponti sp. n.) are new for science. A faunistic list and the description for the two new species are added.

Apterogyninae (Hymenoptera: Bradynobaenidae) from Saudi Arabia, with description of a new species

Eleven species in three genera from Saudi Arabia are listed. Macroocula riyadha Gadallah & Pagliano, spec. nov. is described and figured. Apterogyna mateui Giner Marí, 1945, Macroocula nitida nitida (Bischoff, 1920) are newly recorded from Arabian Peninsula and Saudi Arabia, Macroocula magna (Invrea, 1965) is newly recorded from Saudi Arabia.

Spider wasps collected from the western region of Saudi Arabia

Abstract A faunistic list of spider wasps (Pompilidae) collected from the western region of Saudi Arabia is presented. It comprises 29 species belonging to 18 genera in three subfamilies, of which 22 are newly recorded from Saudi Arabia. The previously unknown male of Agenioideus spiniprivus (Priesner) is discussed. This first part is followed by a list of the species names previously recorded from Saudi Arabia or which are expected to occur there.

Male genitalia as a diagnostic character in determining Bembex F. species from Egypt (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Abstract A preliminary key is developed for the identification of Egyptian species of Bembex on the basis of male genitalia. The genitalia structure is important as a character for defining and distinguishing the different species with more accuracy than other external body characters, in particular the species capensis, lusca, dahlbomii, chlorotica.

An annotated catalogue of the Iranian Euphorinae, Gnamptodontinae, Helconinae, Hormiinae and Rhysipolinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

The Iranian species diversity of five braconid subfamilies, Euphorinae (54 species in 16 genera and 8 tribes), Gnamptodontinae (4 species in 1 genus and 1 tribe), Helconinae (9 species in 5 genera and 2 tribes), Hormiinae (8 species in 4 genera and 2 tribe) and Rhysipolinae (3 species in 2 genera) are summarized in this catalogue. A faunistic list is given comprising both local and global distribution of each species under study as well as host records. In the present study ten new records are added to the Iranian fauna: Centistes (Ancylocentrus) ater (Nees), Centistes cuspidatus (Haliday), Meteorus affinis (Wesmael), Meteorus rufus (DeGeer), Microctonus brevicollis (Haliday), Microctonus falciger Ruthe, Peristenus nitidus (Curtis) (Euphorinae), Aspicolpus carinator (Nees), Diospilus capito (Nees) and Diospilus productus Marshall (Helconinae s.l.). Euphorus pseudomitis Hedwig, 1957 is transferred to the subfamily Hormiinae and Hormisca pseudomitis (Hedwig, 1957) is a new combination.

Updated checklist of Iranian Opiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

An updated checklist of Opiinae from Iran is provided including 101 species from 11 genera (Atormus van Achterberg, 1997, Biosteres Foerster, 1862, Eurytenes Forster, 1862, Fopius Wharton, 1987, Indiopius Fischer, 1966, Opius Wesmael, 1835, Phaedrotoma Forster, 1862, Pokomandya Fischer, 1959, Psyttalia Walker, 1860, Utetes Forster, 1862 and Xynobius Forster, 1862) belonging to two tribes (Biosterini and Opiini). Moreover, seven species Biosteres (Chilotrichia) punctiscuta (Thomson, 1895), Biosteres (Biosteres) remigii Fischer, 1971, Eurytenes (Eurytenes) abnormis (Wesmael, 1835), Opius (Hypocynodus) ponticus Fischer, 1958, Opius pygmaeator (Nees, 1811), Opius (Nosopoea) speciosus Fischer, 1959 and Phaedrotoma nitidulator (Nees, 1834) are recorded for the first time from Iran.

The genus Macroocula Panfilov in Egypt, with two new species (Hymenoptera: Bradynobaenidae: Apterogyninae)

The genus Macroocula Panfilov in Egypt is reviewed. Seven species were previously recorded from Egypt: M. magna (Invrea, 1965), M. mahunkai Argaman, 1994, M. morawitzi (Radoszkowski, 1888), M. nigriventris (Invrea, 1960), M. nitida (Bischoff, 1920), M. savignyi (Klug, 1829) and M. sinaica (Invrea, 1963). Macroocula brothersi Gadallah & Soliman, sp. nov. (Egypt, Wadi Shab, Red Sea) and M. salehi Gadallah & Soliman, sp. nov. (Egypt, Wadi Shaghab, Aswan) are described and illustrated. The subspecies M. nitida nitida (Bischoff, 1920) and M. nitida patrizii (Invrea, 1932) are raised to species level. An illustrated key and a faunistic list of Macroocula species are given.