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Title: A world revision of the Pycnostigminae (Cynipoidea: Figitidae) with descriptions of seven new species.

Author
item Buffington, Matthew
item NOORT, S. VAN - N.H.D. SOUTH AFRICA

Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/29/2006
Publication Date: 1/15/2007
Citation: Buffington, M.L., Noort, S. 2007. A world revision of the Pycnostigminae (Cynipoidea: Figitidae) with descriptions of seven new species. Zootaxa. 1392: 1-30.

Interpretive Summary: Parasitic wasps are unsurpassed as biological control agents of pest arthropods and plants, resulting in the savings of millions of dollars in crop loss. This paper describes seven new species of parasitic wasps and clarifies previously confused species and genera. These species are part of a large family of wasps that includes not only parasitic species that attack insect pests, such as fruit flies and house flies, but also pests that induce unsightly galls on plants, such as rose bushes and oak trees. Because only 5% of wasp species have been named, it is important to continue taxonomic and systematic work that will enhance the abilities of biological control workers to control and identify these species. This paper will be useful to biological control workers, extension agents, and nurserymen.

Technical Abstract: Pycnostigmus rostratus Cameron, 1905, is redescribed. Four new species of Pycnostigmus are also described, namely P. mastersonae Buffington & van Noort, new species, P. incognito Buffington & van Noort, new species, P. fossilensis Buffington & van Noort, new species and P. hoerikwaggoensis Buffington & van Noort, new species. Pycnostigmus mastersonae is unusual in that it is the only known species of Cynipoidea with a metallic sheen on the head and mesosoma. In addition, a redescription of Tylosema nigerrimum Kieffer, 1905, is provided as well as the description of two new species, namely Tylosema dayae Buffington & van Noort, new species and Tylosema ronquisti Buffington & van Noort, new species. The discovery of two new species of Tylosema in South Africa is noteworthy since the only previously known species, T. nigerrimum Kieffer, is from Algeria. Finally, a redescription of Trjapitziniola popovi (Belizin, 1951) is provided as well as the description of one new species, namely Trjapitziniola vanharteni Buffington & van Noort, new species. This new species of Trjapitziniola was collected in the United Emirates Republic, which considerably extends the distribution of Trjapitziniola well into the Arabian Penninsula. An online key to South African species of Pycnostigminae and images are available at: www.waspweb.org/Cynipoidea/Figitidae/Pycnostigminae/index.htm.