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Title: A world revision of Anacharoides Cameron, 1904 (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) with a description of a new species

Author
item Buffington, Matthew
item VAN NOORT, S - University Of Cape Town

Submitted to: ZooKeys
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/5/2009
Publication Date: 8/1/2009
Citation: Buffington, M.L., Van Noort, S. 2009. A world revision of Anacharoides Cameron, 1904 (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) with a description of a new species. Zoo Keys. 16:30-42.

Interpretive Summary: Wasps parasitize hoverfly larvae that are used to control pests such as aphids in agriculture. Our knowledge of these parasitic wasps in Africa is still in its infancy. This paper redescribes one group of wasps native to Southern and Central Africa, provides species identities and distributions, and a discussion on their evolution. Wasp images are provided in this paper and on-line. A key to species is available on-line. Biological control researchers, ecologists and tropical agricultural researchers will find this paper useful.

Technical Abstract: Anacharoides Cameron is revised on a world-wide basis. Six species are recognized: A. nicknacki Buffington & van Noort, new species, A. pallida Quinlan, A. paragi Benoit, A. quadrus Quinlan, A. striaticeps Cameron and A. stygius Benoit. A key to species is provided. Anacharoides striaticeps was determined to be a variable species, and consequently a number of names have been proposed for this species. Here we clarify the identity of A. striaticeps and provide evidence for the following new synonymies of A. striaticeps: Anacharoides eurytergis Benoit, new synonymy, Anacharoides decellius Quinlan, new synonymy, Anacharoides sanitas Quinlan, new synonymy, Anacharoides nigra Quinlan, new synonymy, Anacharoides arcus Quinlan, new synonymy, Anacharoides suspensus Quinlan, new synonymy. The holotype of Anacharoides rufa (Kieffer) is lost; examination of a specimen possibly determined by Kieffer from 1913 housed in the Cape Town Museum is conspecific with A. pallida, but no nomenclature action is pursued at this time. The new synonymy of A. astrida Quinlan with A. quadrus is also hypothesized. Species of this genus of figitid wasp are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar and the southern Arabian Peninsula. Images of all species contained within this paper are available from http://morphbank.net. An online key to species of Anacharoides and images are available at www.waspweb.org/Cynipoidea/Figitidae/Anacharoides/index.htm.