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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #409380
Research Project: Systematics of Beetles, Flies, Moths and Wasps with an Emphasis on Agricultural Pests, Invasive Species, Biological Control Agents, and Food Security

Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Title: On the specific epithet vaccinii of Ashmead, 1887 and Burks, 1979 (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae)

Author
item PUJADE-VILLAR, J. - University Of Barcelona
item ZHANG, MILES - University Of Florida
item Buffington, Matthew
item BROTHERS, D. - University Of Kwazulu-Natal
item LOBATA-VILA, IRENE - University Of Barcelona
item CUESTA-PORTA, VICTOR - University Of Barcelona

Submitted to: Journal of Hymenoptera Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/24/2023
Publication Date: 11/9/2025
Citation: Pujade-Villar, J., Zhang, M.Y., Buffington, M.L., Brothers, D.J., Lobata-Vila, I., Cuesta-Porta, V. 2025. On the specific epithet vaccinii of Ashmead, 1887 and Burks, 1979 (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 5168(1):063-074. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.96.110687.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.96.110687

Interpretive Summary: Species names are used for accurate and efficient communication about the biology, ecology, and identifitcation of animals and plants. The accuracy of these names is essential for effective communication. In insects, the wrong name can lead to misappropriation of funds, or in a worse case, lead to the destruction of a resource. In this paper, we sort out species names that are spelled the same, but are in different genera. As they were described by thew same person, over 100 years ago, the names have been confused several times. Due to our research, the names are now clarified as to what insects they belong to. Ecologists, conservationists, and biocontrol workers will find this article essential for their work.

Technical Abstract: Ashmead (1887) provided descriptions of two species of Cynipidae with “vaccinii” as the specific epithet: Solenozopheria vaccinii Ashmead, 1887 and Acraspis vaccinii Ashmead, 1887. There are numerous nomenclatural issues that have arisen from these descriptions. To resolve them, we have examined all relevant primary types and provide images of these specimens, as well as their labels. We recognize as valid the two vaccinii species, Loxaulus vaccinii (Ashmead, 1887) and Zopheroteras vaccinii (Ashmead, 1887), and list their synonyms. We also include the following new nomenclatural and taxonomic acts: Acraspis vaccinii Ashmead, 1887: lectotype designation; Callirhytis vaccinii Burks, 1979: incertae sedis; Andricus impositus Beutenmüller, 1918: revalidated status; Andricus verifactor Kinsey, 1922: new status.