Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #332810
Research Project: Systematics of Parasitic and Herbivorous Wasps of Agricultural Importance

Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Title: Review of the genus Leptopilina (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae, Eucoilinae) from the Eastern United States, including three newly described species

Author
item LUE, CHIA-HUA - University Of Maryland
item DRISKELL, AMY - Smithsonian Institute
item LEIPS, JEFF - University Of Maryland
item Buffington, Matthew

Submitted to: Journal of Hymenoptera Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/9/2016
Publication Date: 12/19/2016
Citation: Lue, C., Driskell, A., Leips, J., Buffington, M.L. 2016. Review of the genus Leptopilina (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae, Eucoilinae) from the Eastern United States, including three newly described species. Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 53:35-76.

Interpretive Summary: Parasitoid wasps are potent natural enemies of many species of pest insect and are critical elements in biological control research. Identification of parasitoid wasp species is a key to the success of biological control. This paper reviews species belonging to a genus that is a major natural enemy of fruit flies around the world, including the invasive spotted wing Drosophila. Research entomologists, biological control workers, extension agents, and APHIS cooperators worldwide will find this research product essential for their own work.

Technical Abstract: The genus Leptopilina has historically been a poorly understood group. However, some species of Leptopilina are among the best-known model organisms for studying host-parasitoid interactions. As there is no identification system for Leptopilina in any part of the United States, we review species that were collected throughout their range in Eastern North America and those commonly used in laboratories. We provide a key for seven species, L. boulardi, L. heterotoma, L. clavipes, L. victoriae, L. decemflagella n. sp., L. maia n. sp. and L. leipsi n. sp., the last three of which are newly described here. This study is the first of its kind for Leptopilina species in North America, as our review and key were developed by examining a large number of specimens collected across broad chronological and geographic scales. This allowed us to account for the phenotypic variation within species, and helped us discover diagnostic characters. The geographic distribution and taxonomic information from this review provides a solid foundation for future research on Leptopilina.