ARS | Publication request: A new species of Aximopsis sensu lato ashmead (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eurytomidae) parasitic on Euglossa spp. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: June 17, 2009
Publication Date: August 1, 2009
Citation: Gates, M.W. 2009. A new species of Aximopsis sensu lato ashmead (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eurytomidae) parasitic on Euglossa spp. (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Zootaxa. 16:22-29.

Interpretive Summary: Wasps parasitize a broad range of insect hosts, but few have been recorded attacking orchid bees. Orchid bees are important pollinators of orchids in the Neotropics. Parasitic wasps attacking orchid pollinators have a negative impact on orchid reproductive success. This is particularly true of rare or endangered orchid populations. Given the importance and popularity of orchids in tropical ecosystems, and floriculture, it is surprising that very few parasitoids of these bees have been reported attacking them. This report is the first description of a eurytomid wasp attacking orchid bees. This information will be of use to tropical bee biologists, orchid researchers, and tropical ecologists.

Technical Abstract: Aximopsis masneri Gates, new species, (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eurytomidae) is described and illustrated. This species was reared from field-collected nests of Euglossa sp. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the Neotropical region with additional label data indicating E. variabilis and E. cybelia as hosts. It is compared with the nominate species of the nodularis species group of Aximopsis sensu lato to which it belongs.