Sergey A. Belokobylskij

Molecular phylogeny and historical biogeography of the cosmopolitan parasitic wasp subfamily Doryctinae (Hymenoptera : Braconidae)

The phylogenetic relationships among representatives of 64 genera of the cosmopolitan parasitic wasps of the subfamily Doryctinae were investigated based on nuclear 28S ribosomal (r) DNA (~650 bp of the D2–3 region) and cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) mitochondrial (mt) DNA (603 bp) sequence data. The molecular dating of selected clades and the biogeography of the subfamily were also inferred. The partitioned Bayesian analyses did not recover a monophyletic Doryctinae, though the relationships involved were only weakly supported. Strong evidence was found for rejecting the monophylies of both Doryctes Haliday, 1836 and Spathius Nees, 1818. Our results also support the recognition of the Rhaconotini as a valid tribe. A dispersal–vicariance analysis showed a strong geographical signal for the taxa included, with molecular dating estimates for the origin of Doryctinae and its subsequent radiation both occurring during the late Paleocene–early Eocene. The divergence time estimates suggest that diversification in the subfamily could have in part occurred as a result of continental break-up events that took place in the southern hemisphere, though more recent dispersal events account for the current distribution of several widespread taxa.

A New Emerald Ash Borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) Parasitoid Species of Spathius Nees (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae) from the Russian Far East and South Korea

ABSTRACT A new emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) ectoparasitoid species, Spathius galinae Belokobylskij & Strazanac (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae), is described from the Russian Far East and South Korea. Molecular evidence supports that Russian and Korean specimens represent a single species and are closely related to two Asian species (S. agrili and S. generosus) that belong to the S. exarator species group. The morphological variation of adult S. galinae and its immature stages, distribution, life history, and relation to similar Asian Spathius species are discussed. The distribution of the new species may indicate this is one of the more cold hardy emerald ash borer parasitoids. A brief review of hymenopteran parasitoids of emerald ash borer and new host record, the first for Atanycolus nigriventris Vojnovskaja-Krieger (Braconidae: Braconinae), is reported.

The wasps, bees and ants (Insecta: Vespida=Hymenoptera) from the Insect Limestone (Late Eocene) of the Isle of Wight, UK

The types and undescribed material of the hymenopteran fossils of the Insect Bed of the Bembridge Marls from the Isle of Wight (UK) are critically revised and studied. A total of 1460 fossils are recorded and attributed to 20 families: Gasteruptiidae s.l. (1); Proctotrupidae (3); Diapriidae (24); Cynipidae (7); Figitidae (6); Pteromalidae (1); Agaonidae (3); Scelionidae (12); Platygastridae (2); Ichneumonidae (32); Braconidae (75); Bethylidae (3); Crabronidae (2); Sphecidae (1); Apidae (2); Scoliidae (1); Tiphiidae (2); Vespidae (4); and Formicidae (1220). Described as new are 51 species, 13 genera, two tribes and two subfamilies. Minimum number of species recorded (either as described species or representing higher taxa with no described species in the assemblage) is 118. The composition of the hymenopteran assemblage is most similar to that of Baltic amber and indicative of a well forested territory, as well as of a humid, equable (aseasonal but not very hot) climate, more typically equable than in the Baltic amber source area, judging from the absence of Aphidiinae and scarcity of aphids.

Systematics and evolution of gall formation in the plant‐associated genera of the wasp subfamily Doryctinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Gall formation is a specialised form of phytophagy that consists of abnormal growth of host plant tissue induced by other organisms, principally insects and mites. In the mainly parasitoid wasp subfamily Doryctinae, gall association, represented by gall inducers, inquilines and their parasitoids, is known for species of seven genera. Previous molecular studies recovered few species of six of these genera as monophyletic despite their disparate morphologies. Here, we reconstructed the evolutionary relationships among 47 species belonging to six gall‐associated doryctine genera based on two mitochondrial and two nuclear gene markers. Most of the Bayesian analyses, performed with different levels of incomplete taxa and characters, supported the monophyly of gall‐associated doryctines, with Heterospilus (Heterospilini) as sister group. Percnobracon Kieffer and Jörgensen and Monitoriella Hedqvist were consistently recovered as monophyletic, and the validity of the monotypic Mononeuron was confirmed with respect to Allorhogas Gahan. A nonmonophyletic Allorhogas was recovered, although without significant support. The relationships obtained and the gathered morphological and biological information led us to erect three new genera originally assigned to Psenobolus: Ficobolus gen.n. (F. paniaguai sp.n. and F. jaliscoi sp.n.), Plesiopsenobolus gen.n. (Pl. mesoamericanus sp.n., Pl. plesiomorphus van Achterberg and Marsh comb.n., and Pl. tico sp.n.), and Sabinita gen.n. (S. mexicana sp.n.). The origin of the gall‐associated doryctine clade was estimated to have occurred during the middle Miocene to early Oligocene, 16.33–30.55 Ma. Our results support the origin of true gall induction in the Doryctinae from parasitoidism of other gall‐forming insects. Moreover, adaptations to attack different gall‐forming taxa on various unrelated plant families probably triggered species diversification in the main Allorhogas clade and may also have promoted the independent origin of gall formation on at least three plant groups. Species diversification in the remaining doryctine taxa was probably a result of host shifts within a particular plant taxon and shifts to different plant organs.

Diversity and Distribution of Braconidae, a Family of Parasitoid Wasps in the Central European Peatbogs of South Bohemia, Czech Republic

Abstract An ecological overview of seven years investigation of Braconidae, a family of parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea) and a tyrpho-classification of parasitoids in peatbog areas of South Bohemia, Czech Republic are given. A total of 350 species were recorded in investigated sites, but only five tyrphobionts (1.4%) are proposed: Microchelonus basalis, Microchelonus koponeni, Coloneura ate, Coloneura danica and Myiocephalus niger. All of these species have a boreal-alpine distribution that, in Central Europe, is associated only with peatbogs. Tyrphophilous behaviour is seen in at least four (1.1%) species: Microchelonus pedator, Microchelonus subpedator, Microchelonus karadagi and Microchelonus gravenhorstii; however, a number of other braconids prefer peatbogs because they were more frequently encountered within, rather than outside, the bog habitat. The rest of the braconids (342 species, 97.5%) are tyrphoneutrals, many of them being eurytopic components of various habitats throughout their current ranges. Lists of tyrphobiontic braconids and a brief commentary on species composition, distributional picture of actual ranges, and parasitoid association to bog landscape are provided. Being true refugial habitats for populations in an ever-changing world, peatbogs play a significant role in harboring insect communities.

New Species and Rare Genera of the Family Braconidae from Korea

Abstract Five new species in Braconidae (Hymenoptera) from Korea are described and illustrated: Oncophanes pronotalis, sp. nov., Hellenius koreanus, sp. nov., Aspicolpus minor sp. nov., Blacus (Blacus) chinjuensis sp. nov., Syntretus sculptor sp. nov. Eight rare genera and species are also recorded for the first time in Korea.: Spasskia sigalphoides Belokobylskij, Wroughtonia cornuta (Cameron), Parahormius bikinus Belokobylskij, Tebennotoma spasskensis Belokobylskij, Chrysopophthorus hungaricus (Zilachi-Kiss), Wesmaelia lepos Belokobylskij, Asiacentistes alekseevi (Belokobylskij), Cosmophorus cembrae Ruschka. A new synonym is established: Chrysopophthorus hungaricus (Zilachi-kiss, 1927)=C. elegans Tobias, 1961, syn. n.

Meteorus acerbiavorus sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), a gregarious parasitoid of Acerbia alpina (Quensel) (Lepidoptera, Arctiidae) in North Finland

The new gregarious parasitoid Meteorus acerbiavorus sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) was reared from the cocoons of Acerbia alpina (Quensel) (Lepidoptera, Arctiidae) in north-western Finnish Lapland. This species belongs to Meteorus rubens (Nees) species group and differs from the most related M. rubens in the following features: the eyes densely setose; the median lobe of the mesoscutum, scutellum, mesopleuron, and the hind coxa entirely or at least partly rugulose-granulate or rugose-areolate and sometimes with granulation; the ovipositor subapically with distinct dorsal node; the ventral borders of the first metasomal tergum weakly separated by narrow space in its basal half; the colour of the body and legs mostly or entirely dark; the fore wing more or less darkened. Phylogenetic relationships among several Meteorus species close to M. rubens including new M. acerbiavorus were investigated based on DNA sequence fragments of the mitochondrial COI and the nuclear 28S rDNA genes. The discussions on the species groups of Meteorus, on distribution of Acerbia alpina in the Holarctic and on its known parasitoids are presented.

Hecabolomorpha n. gen., a new Asian genus from the tribe Hecabolini (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae)

Abstract A new Oriental genus Hecabolomorpha n. gen. with the type species H. asiatica n. sp. is described and illustrated from India and Central China. The position of this genus in the tribe Hecabolini and its relations with hecaboline genera are discussed.

Revision of the genus Eodendrus Belokobylskij (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Doryctinae)

A revision of the genus Eodendrus Belokobylskij, stat. nov. (type species Dendrosotinus eous Belokobylskij) is provided. Six new species are described and figured: E. africanus Belokobylskij, sp. nov. (S. Africa), E. convergens Belokobylskij, sp. nov. (Brunei), E. elongatus Belokobylskij and Long, sp. nov. (Vietnam), E. flavus Belokobylskij and Long, sp. nov. (Vietnam), E. hoabinicus Belokobylskij and Long, sp. nov. (Vietnam, Brunei), and E. petiolatus Belokobylskij and Chen, sp. nov. (China). Redescriptions of E. eous (Belokobylskij), comb. nov. (Russian Far East, Korea, Japan) and E. conspicuus (Granger), comb. nov. (Madagascar) are given. The lectotype of Doryctes conspicuus Granger is designated. A key to all species of the genus Eodendrus is presented. The composition of the subtribe Caenophanina (Doryctini) is discussed.

Revision of the Palaearctic species of the genus Clinocentrus (Hymenoptera : Braconidae)

Revision of the Palaearctic species of the genus Clinocentrus Haliday is given. The composition and geographic distribution of the genus Clinocentrus and the probable generic position of fossil species described by Brues (1933) as Clinocentrus are discussed. The systematic position of this genus in Exothecinae is also discussed and arguments presented to support the differentiation of exothecines and rogadines. Nine species of Clinocentrus are figured and re-described. Three new species and two new subspecies are figured and described: C. kalmyk from Kalmykia, C. kozlovi from Mongolia, C. rhysipoloides from Primorsk Territory of Russia, C. umbratilis ssp. disruptus from Taiwan and C. vestigator ssp. orientalis from Primorsk Territory of Russia. C. stigmaticus Marshall, 1897 and C. jaroshevskyi Telenga, 1941 are synonymized with C. vestigator (Haliday, 1836); C. tarsalis Ashmead, 1894—with C. exsertor (Nees, 1812) and C. gracilipes (Thomson, 1891)—with C. cunctator (Haliday, 1836), Lectotypes of Exothecus ...