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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #274829
Title: Trigonalidae (Hymenoptera) of Madagascar

Author
item SMITH, D. - Retired ARS Employee
item TRIPOTIN, P. - University Of Rouen

Submitted to: Journal of Hymenoptera Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/10/2011
Publication Date: 1/10/2012
Citation: Smith, D.R., Tripotin, P. 2012. Trigonalidae (Hymenoptera) of Madagascar. Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 24:1-25.

Interpretive Summary: Parasitic wasps can be important in controlling populations of economically important plant-feeding insects. However, some, called hyperparasites, are parasitic on parasites and are thus unwanted in biological control efforts because they may reduce the population of beneficial parasites. Little is known of these hyperparasites throughout the world. One group of seven species from Madagascar is studied which parasitize the parasites of moth larvae. Two new species are described, the species are differentiated, and an identification key is given. This will be of interest to researchers concerned with biological control and those working on plant-feeding insects.

Technical Abstract: Seven species of the primarily hyperparasitoid family Trigonalidae are reported from Madagascar: Orthogonalys brevis Smith and Tripotin, sp. n., Orthogonalys gigantea Benoit, 1951; O. hova Bischoff, 1933; O. maculata Bischoff, 1933; Orthogonalys parahova Smith and Tripotin, sp. n., O. seyrigi Bischoff, 1933; and Trigonalys natalensis Kriechbaumer, 1894. Diagnoses and a key to species are given.