THE TAXONOMIC PLACEMENT OF SEVERAL NEW WORLD AND ORIENTAL GASTERUPTIID WASPS (HYMENOPTERA: GASTERUPTIIDAE)

Authors: JENNINGS, JOHN - UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE; Smith, David

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2004
Publication Date: 7/25/2005
Citation: Jennings, J.T., Smith, D.R. 2005. The taxonomic placement of several new world and oriental gasteruptiid wasps (Hymenoptera: Gasteruptiidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 107:686-692

Interpretive Summary: Many parasitic wasps are beneficial to US agriculture as biocontrol agents. This study found several inconsistencies in nomenclature in a small family of wasps that are parasites of wood-nesting wasps and bees. Based on characters of the legs, mandibles, and venation of the wings, five species from the Western Hemisphere and Oriental Region are transferred to new genera, and a new name is proposed for one species. Clarification of the correct placement of these species will be of use to scientists studying these wasps and will aid future studies.

Technical Abstract: The generic placement of several New World and Oriental gasteruptiid wasps is discussed. Based on a number of character states, including non-overlapping mandibles (when at rest), the presence of a trochantellus (prefemur) and an exserted ovipositor, and the pattern of the veins in the fore wing, five species currently in Pseudofoenus are transferred to Gasteruption L.; namely G. longiceps (Kieffer 1910), G. ceylonensis (Enderlein 1912) comb. nov., G. maculicorne Cameron 1887 stat. nov., G. sericeus Cameron 1887 stat. nov., and G. tenuicolle Schletterer 1885 stat. nov. As well, G. longiceps (Kieffer 1910) is a junior secondary homonym of G. longiceps Kieffer 1904 and is renamed G. austini nom. nov., and Pseudofoenus neotropicus Schrottky 1906 is placed as incertae sedis.