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Title: Revision of Plectocynipinae (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) with descriptions of three new species

Author
item Buffington, Matthew
item NIEVES-ALDREY, J. - Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC)

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2011
Publication Date: 7/1/2011
Citation: Buffington, M.L., Nieves-Aldrey, J.L. 2011. Revision of Plectocynipinae (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) with descriptions of three new species. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 113(2):91-108.

Interpretive Summary: Detecting and understanding the biology of insects, both detrimental and beneficial, to trees is tantamount in the successful cultivation and maintenance of tree species. This paper describes a group of parasitic wasps new to science from South America. It includes 3 new species that are natural enemies of other insects that damage species of South American beeches. These newly described wasp species, along with data on other related species, have the potential to control the populations of pestiferous insects on these trees, savings millions of dollars typically spent on pesticides used to protect these important trees. This information will be useful to all researchers and agricultural specialists involved in the biological control of forest and crop pests.

Technical Abstract: A revision of Plectocynipinae was determined warranted following the recent collections of fresh specimens of Plectocynips and Pegascynips. In addition to a redescription of the subfamily, we provide redescriptions of both genera as well as the redescriptions of Plectocynips longicornis and P. pilosus. New descriptions are provided for Pegascynips ariasae, n. sp., Pegascynips queulensis, n. sp., and Plectocynips lago, n. sp. The following new host records are provided: Plectocynips pilosus were reared from galls of Aditrochus fagicolus Rübsaamen and Aditrochus coihuensis Ovruski (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) on Nothofagus pumilio (Poepp. & Endl.) Krasser and Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirb.) Blume, respectively. In addition to females, males are described for Pegascynips ariasae, Pegascynips queulensis and Plectocynips pilosus.