A new species in the newly recorded genus Trachyusa (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) from China

Authors: YAO, JUNLI - Fujian Agricultural & Forestry University; Kula, Robert; CHEN, JIAHUA - Fujian Agricultural & Forestry University

Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2014
Publication Date: 3/16/2015
Publication URL: http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2015/f/z03931p584f.pdf
Citation: Yao, J., Kula, R.R., Chen, J. 2015. A new species in the newly recorded genus Trachyusa (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) from China. Zootaxa. 3931:579-584.

Interpretive Summary: Parasitic wasps attack crop, forest, and horticultural pests that cause billions of dollars of damage to agricultural commodities and natural resources annually. The parasitic wasps treated in this paper likely attack flies in tree stems. Increased knowledge of these wasps can help determine their impact as natural enemies of pest and potential pest flies. One species from China new to science is described, and a key to six species from Asia and Europe is provided. The new species is the first record of the genus from China. This paper will be useful to scientists conducting research on wasps parasitic on flies in Asia and Europe, particularly those discerning evolutionary relationships and the role of wasps in regulating pest and potential pest flies.

Technical Abstract: Trachyusa whartoni Yao sp. nov. from Dalian, Liaoning, China is described and illustrated. Trachyusa is a newly recorded genus in China. A key to the species of Trachyusa is provided based on the keys of Belokobylskij (1998), Papp (1967), and van Achterberg and O'Connor (1990). Type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Beneficial Insects Institute, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.