ARS | Publication request: Description of Camponotophilus, gen. n. (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eurytomidae), with discussion of diagnostic characters

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: November 4, 2011
Publication Date: February 24, 2012
Citation: Gates, M.W., Perez-Lachaud, G. 2012. Description of Camponotophilus, gen. n. (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eurytomidae), with discussion of diagnostic characters. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 114(2):111-124.

Interpretive Summary: Parasitic wasps are known to aid in controlling populations of pest ants and have been evaluated for their potential use against various invasive ant species (e.g., red imported fire ant). Certain tropical ants form nests in the canopies of citrus and coffee plantations often contributing to leaf loss or protecting plant-feeding insects (e.g. scales) attacking these crops. This can lead to losses in crop productivity costing millions of dollars annually. This paper reports a new genus and species of parasitic wasp implicated in attacking an arboreal ant on citrus in Mexico. This information will be useful to commodity growers, biocontrol workers, ant ecologists, and port identifiers.

Technical Abstract: The genus Camponotophilus is described and is the first report of a true myrmecophile in the Eurytomidae. Character diagnostics relative to its placement within Eurytominae those associated with the myrmecophilic lifestyle are discussed. One new species is described: Camponotophilus delvarei.