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Title: The description of Garudella Buffington & Forshage, new genus (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Eucoilinae)

Author
item Buffington, Matthew
item FORSHAGE, M. - Stockholm Environmental Institute

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2013
Publication Date: 5/15/2014
Citation: Buffington, M.L., Forshage, M. 2014. The description of Garudella Buffington & Forshage, new genus (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Eucoilinae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 116:225-242.

Interpretive Summary: Gall wasps and their relatives include numerous agricultural pests, as well as many predators important in biological control. In most cases, the biological attributes of these wasps are poorly known. Some species induce unsightly and damaging galls; other species are parasitoids of economically important species of flies that attack plants and livestock. The genus and species described in this paper possesses characters unlike any other known wasp species. This paper provides detailed diagnostic information and illustrations that will assist other researchers in distinguishing the new species from other species. This information will assist a broad array of scientists in better understanding the relationships, evolution, and feeding habits of these enigmatic wasps.

Technical Abstract: Garudella, a remarkable new genus of eucoiline wasp, is described from Thailand and Laos. Three species of Garudella are described as well: G. acothonaspis, G. algor, and G. alicae. Several autapomorphies distinguish this genus from other eucoiline genera: a distinctly protracted and broadened pronotal plate; a massive, posteriorly protruding propodeum; reduced posterior rim of metapleuron; reduced scutellar foveae and lack of lateral bar "windows"; and a generally reduced scutellar plate. In addition, the posterior of the head has a distinctly curved occipital impression, resulting in the cuticle surrounding the foramen magnum to be extruded into a neck-like process. The biology of Garudella is unknown, but based on phylogenetic inference from morphology, the presumed host could be a cyclorrhaphous Diptera in a saprophagous environment.