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Submitted to: ZooKeys
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 2/8/2010 Publication Date: 2/25/2010 Citation: Buffington, M.L. 2010. A revision Ganaspidium Weld, 1952 (Hymenoptera: Figitidae): new species, bionomics and distribution. ZooKeys. 37:81-101. Interpretive Summary: Leafmining flies are principle pests of several agriculture commodities, such as melons, tomatoes and lettuce. These flies are especially troublesome in warmer regions of North America and the Pacific Islands, causing millions of dollars in losses annually. Because they feed inside of the leaf, typical pesticide applications fail to control these pests. Parasitic wasps are effective at controlling leafmining flies, but the identification of these wasps is very difficult. This paper redefines an important wasp species, and describes five other species new to science from the Western Hemisphere that attack these leafmining flies. Information in this paper will be useful to taxonomists, biological control workers, agricultural extension agents, and ecologists working on crop pests. Technical Abstract: The eucoiline genus Ganaspidium is revised. Species in this genus are parasitoids of some of the most pestiferous species of leaf mining Agromyzidae (Diptera), including the notorious Liriomyza trifolii. The following new species are described: Ganaspidium dideonae, G. eldiablo, G. flemingi, G. kolmaci, and G. konzaensis. Ganaspidium navajoe (Miller), new combination, is recognized as junior synonym of G. pusillae Weld (new synonym). Ganaspidium hunteri (Crawford), G. nigrimanus (Kieffer) and G. utilis Beardsley, revised status, render Ganaspidium paraphyletic and are presently recognized as insertae sedis pending new generic assignment. Species of Ganaspidium are recorded from a wide geographic area within North America, and several species appear to be adapted to arid environments. New distribution data, new host records, and a key to all known species are provided. |
