ARS | Publication request: Review of the apterous, micropterous, and brachypterous cyclostome Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea) in the Palearctic Region

Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 25, 2012
Publication Date: March 20, 2012
Repository URL: http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/z03240p062f.pdf
Citation: Belokobylskij, S.A., Kula, R.R. 2012. Review of the apterous, micropterous, and brachypterous cyclostome Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea) in the Palearctic Region. Zootaxa. 3240:1-62.

Interpretive Summary: Parasitic wasps attack crop and forest pests that cause billions of dollars of damage annually. The parasitic wasps treated in this paper attack wood- and plant-feeding insects, including codling moth, a major pest of apple and pear worldwide. Increased knowledge of these wasps can help determine their impact as beneficial insects and potential use for biocontrol. This paper provides information on the diversity, distribution, and identification of 45 wasp species in the Eastern Hemisphere. Seven species new to science are described, new distribution records are reported for four species, and a key is provided for identifying 45 species. This paper will be useful to scientists conducting research on these wasps, as well as personnel responsible for controlling and limiting the spread of pest insects.

Technical Abstract: The Palearctic species of Braconidae with brachypterous, micropterous, or apterous modification are discussed. The following new species are described: Chremylus planispinus Belokobylskij (France, Algeria), Chremylus algecirasus Belokobylskij (Spain), Pambolus erogolus Belokobylskij (Mongolia), Pambolus ovchinnikovi Belokobylskij (Kyrgyzstan), Hormius stauropolicus Belokobylskij (Russia (North Caucasus)), Bracon (Habrobracon) barbieri Belokobylskij (Algeria), and Panerema kamtshatica Belokobylskij (Russia (Kamchatka)). The following species are redescribed: Heterospilus hemipterus (Thomson) (male and female), Chremylus pomonellae (Atanasov) (male, female and macropterous form), Hormius minialatus Tobias (female), and Aleiodes (Chelonorhogas) hemipterus Marshall (male and female). Lituania brachyptera Jakimavicius, 1968 is a new synonym of Eurybolus hemipterus Thomson, 1892. Chremylus pomonellae (Atanasov), new combination is transferred from Rhyssalus. Aleiodes hemipterus is placed in Chelonorhogas Enderlein. Asobara subalata (Zaykov and Fischer) is returned from Phaenocarpa Foerster. New distribution records are reported for H. hemipterus, Rhaconotus hispanicus Belokobylskij, Hormius minialatus Tobias, and A. (C.) hemipterus. A key for identifying all Palearctic brachypterous, micropterous, or apterous cyclostome braconid species, and the genera in which they are placed, is provided. A discussion about the diversity, morphological characters, and natural history of these morphological forms, and possible reasons for their appearance, is provided.