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Title: A revision of Bephrata and Isosomodes (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae)

Author
item Gates, Michael
item HANSON, P. - UNIV. OF COSTA RICA

Submitted to: Journal of Hymenoptera Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/8/2009
Publication Date: 3/31/2009
Citation: Gates, M.W., Hanson, P. 2009. A revision of Bephrata and Isosomodes (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 18(1):25-73.

Interpretive Summary: Parasitic wasps are important components in the biological control of agricultural crop pests worldwide and prevent millions of dollars in damage each year. Two groups of parasitic wasp are revised that are known to attack eggs of plant-feeding katydids, many species of which are agricultural or ornamental pests. Twenty-two species new to science are described, and keys and illustrations are provided to identify the 27 species in the two groups. This information will aid biocontrol workers, scientists, and port inspectors working with katydids and their parasites.

Technical Abstract: The genera Bephrata Cameron and Isosomodes Ashmead are redefined and redescribed. We describe 22 species as new: B. atra, B. bouceki, B. camacho, B. chica, B. christeri, B. citri, B. clava, B. flava, B. leptogaster, B. lorraineae, B. nigracephala, B. noyesi, B. nublada, B. petiolata, B. stichogaster, B. ticos, I. azofiefai, I. landoni, I. paradoxus, I. parkeri, I. colombia, and I. similis. Previous nominal species are redescribed: B. bahiae (Ashmead), B. cultriformis (Ashmead), B. ruficollis Cameron, I. gigantea (Ashmead), and I. nigriceps Ashmead. One new synonymy is proposed: I. brasiliensis Ashmead 1904 with I. gigantea (Ashmead 1886), n. syn. Keys are provided for separating the species in each genus. Available evidence suggests that the species in these two genera are egg parasitoids of Tettigoniidae (Orthoptera).